Things to do in Devon in January 2027

Let me help you banish those winter blues with this list of things to do in Devon in January 2027.

When we moved to Devon at the bitter end of December ten years ago I felt thoroughly unprepared for starting our West Country life in the ‘off season’. Our previous visits to the area were in summer when Devon buzzes with activity.

January in Devon felt like a very different beast.

Since then we’ve learnt a lot more about what to do in Devon in the winter. This post brings together my top tips for things to do in January – the quietest month in Devon’s events calendar.

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What’s on in Devon this January?

January is quite often light on events, but some do roll over from Christmas and there is the odd gem without a festive theme.

While every effort has been made to ensure these ideas are up-to-date please check with event organisers and venues for the latest availability and opening information. The weather and other unforeseen circumstances may affect your visit.

Here’s some of the exciting events I’ve spotted happening in Devon in January 2027:

Winter illuminations at Babbacombe Model Village in South Devon – until 1 January 2027

Illuminated small town models at Babbacombe Model Village — Illuminations at Babbacombe Model Village

Enter a magical miniature wonderland of festive lights at Babbacombe Model Village this Christmas.

There will be miniature seasonal scenes, a spot the elves and Santa challenge and crazy golf. The Christmas lights are on from 3.30pm. Last entry is 4.30pm but the lights continue until 6.30pm.

Find out more about Christmas at Babbacombe Model Village in Torquay.

Exeter Winter Wonderland – until 3 January 2027

Exeter’s winter wonderland returns this winter with an ice rink, Santa’s Grotto, Christmas Market, fairground rides and live entertainment.

This year’s wonderland will also include a naughty elves workshop as part of the grotto experience.

The Winter Wonderland is free entry with tickets available to pre-book online for Santa’s Grotto and the ice rink now.

Find out more and book tickets on the Exeter Winter Wonderland website.

Bay of Lights – daily until 3 January 2027

Family walking under tree wrapped in fairy lights at Bay of Lights illuminated trail event

This free winter trail continues into the New Year.

Enjoy a 1.5 mile route along Torquay seafront with glittering and unexpected surprises along the way including a light tunnel, prisms of light and a 12m high Christmas tree.

You’ll also find eight metre tall pixel trees in Paignton and Brixham. These will put on digital light shows between after dark.

Find out more about the Bay of Lights.

Winter trail at the Donkey Sanctuary in Sidmouth – daily until February 2027

Donkeys in their barn at The Donkey Sanctuary Sidmouth — Picture credit: The Donkey Sanctuary Sidmouth

In this winter season’s fun family trail at the Donkey Sanctuary you are tasked with finding all the things that make their shelter a forever home. Complete the puzzle on your trail sheet as you explore and meet the sanctuary’s lucky residents.

Trail sheets cost £5 each and can be bought in the gift shop. Entry to the sanctuary is free and dogs on leads are welcome.

Find out more about what’s on at the Donkey Sanctuary this winter.

Snowdrop Festival at The Garden House in Yelverton – Fridays, Saturday and Sundays from early January until mid March 2027

Visit The Garden House near Yelverton for its first joyful seasonal event of the year – its Snowdrop Festival.

Expect to see more than 350 varieties of snowdrops to spot making it one of the most diverse collections of named and naturalised snowdrops in the UK.

Find out more about visiting The Garden House.

Read about the other family-friendly places to see snowdrops in Devon.

**Luxmuralis’ Lost Worlds at Exeter Cathedral – 6 to 9 January 2027**

Luxmuralis returns to Exeter Cathedral with an immersive sound, light and art installation that guides you through the centuries-old spaces of Exeter Cathedral to witness the great civilisations, myths and forgotten histories of humanity.

Expect vast moving canvases of colour, projection and sound as you travel through the ancient worlds of the Etruscans, Egyptians, Romans, Mayans and Anglo-Saxons, encountering cave paintings, medieval manuscripts, maps of exploration, mythic kingdoms and the natural world in a richly layered visual narrative.

Find out more and book tickets online.

Cinderella at Palace Theatre in Paignton – 10 January 2027

Hot Rock and Wonder Pantomimes brings the most loved pantomime of them all, Cinderella, to the Palace Theatre.

Join poor Cinderella as she dreams of a better life beyond the kitchen, helped along the way by her fabulous Fairy Godmother, loyal friends, and a little bit of pantomime magic.

Find out more and book tickets.

Mamma Mia at The Lyric in Plymouth – 12 to 30 January 2026

Enjoy the ultimate feel-good factor at the world’s sunniest and most exhilarating smash-hit musical in Plymouth this month.

Set on a Greek island paradise, a story of love, friendship and identity is cleverly told through the timeless songs of ABBA.

Check prices and buy tickets online.

If you know of an event I can add to this guide please get in touch. It’s free to be listed!

Which Devon attractions are open in January?

Opening times for Devon attractions tend to vary in the off season but you can still find some that will welcome you all week through!

Please check the website of each attraction before visiting as weather and other unforeseen circumstances may affect opening hours.

Here’s the options:

Visit a Devon Zoo in January

Zoos are open and welcome visitors all year round.

Here’s the Devon zoos open in January 2026:

Paignton Zoo in Paignton, South Devon – open every day
Dartmoor Zoo in Sparkwell, South Devon – open Friday to Monday and school holidays
Exmoor Zoo in Barnstaple, North Devon – open every day
Wildwood Escot in Ottery St Mary, East Devon – open every day. Book in advance
Shaldon Zoo near Teignmouth, South Devon – open every day.

Visit a Devon theme park

Here are the theme parks that are open this month. They have indoor and outdoor attractions including soft play.

The Milky Way near Bideford – main theme park open weekends only. Book in advance
Crealy Theme Park near Exeter – open weekends only. Book online for special prices
Woodlands Family Adventure Park near Dartmouth – open weekends only (check first opening day with the park). Book online for special prices

Outdoor attractions to visit in January

Countryside scene at Babbacombe Model Village — Babbacombe Model Village

Get some fresh air at these outdoor attractions in Devon throughout January:

RHS Rosemoor in Great Torrington, North Devon – open daily all year round.
Babbacombe Model Village in Torquay, South Devon – open daily in January. Book online for a discount.
Quince Honey Farm in South Molton, Mid-Devon – open daily.
Bicton Park Gardens, East Devon – open on selected dates.
Dartington Estate, Dartington, South Devon – open daily.
Plymouth Snowsports Centre, South Devon – open Thursday to Sunday. Book in advance.
The Donkey Sanctuary, East Devon – open daily.

National Trust places open in January

Many National Trust properties in Devon take a break in January, but here’s some that are open this winter:

Parke near Bovey Tracey – grounds open for walks daily.
Buckland Abbey near Plymouth – gardens and estate open weekends only.
Knightshayes near Tiverton, Mid-Devon – gardens and estate open daily. House open weekends and school holidays.
Coleton Fishacre near Brixham – house and gardens open weekends only.
Saltram near Plymouth – garden and parkland open every day.

Indoor attractions open in January

19th Century Royal Navy figureheads hanging in the entrance to The Box — Figureheads at The Box, Plymouth

Here are some of the indoor attractions you can visit during the week in January:

The Box, Plymouth, South Devon – open Tuesday to Sunday. Entry is free.
RAMM museum and art gallery, Exeter – open Tuesday to Sunday. Entry is free.
House of Marbles in Bovey Tracey, South Devon – open every day. Entry is free.
Kent’s Cavern in Torquay – open every day.
Bygones in Torquay – open every day.
National Marine Aquarium in Plymouth – open every day.
Dartmouth Castle, Dartmouth – open weekends only.

Also check out my guide to things to do on rainy days in Devon for cinemas, climbing centres, soft play, pottery painting and bowling.

Outdoor places to go in January

Of course there are lots more outdoor places in Devon that you can visit over the winter months.

Devon beaches

Child walking on sand at Bantham Beach overlooking Burgh Island — Bantham Beach

Here’s some of our favourite beaches on the south coast of Devon and the best beaches in North Devon.

Adventure playgrounds

There are lots of adventure playgrounds around Devon that you can visit for free as as part of bigger days out.

Devon cycle trails

Cycling through the forest at Tamar Trails in Dartmoor — Tamar Trails

Make the most of those new bikes your kids got at Christmas and visit a Devon cycle trail.

Here’s where you’ll find them:

South West Coast Path

There’s so many coast walks to enjoy in Devon. Check out the Flip Flops or Wellies blog for plenty of walks in East Devon. And there’s some great ideas for winter walks on Dartmoor from our friends at Dartmoor Partner.

We have recently done the following walks in South Devon:

Here’ some more walks in Devon for families.

Thinking ahead to February? Here’s some suggestions for things to do in Devon in February half term and places to visit in the Spring.

What’s your favourite things to do in Devon in January? Do you know of an activity or attraction not on this list? Drop me a line or comment below.