Things to do in Devon in January 2026
Let me help you banish those winter blues with this list of things to do in Devon in January 2026.
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 2026:
Dick Whittington at Theatre Royal Plymouth – until 10 January 2026
Panto legend Shane Richie continues to star at Theatre Royal Plymouth’s panto well into the New Year.
Join Shane, aka Dick Whittington, as he seeks fame, fortune, and happiness journeying to become Lord Mayor.
Packed with all the traditional pantomime ingredients audiences know to expect from Theatre Royal Plymouth, don’t miss the action-packed pantomime that promises to be full of laugh-out-loud comedy, plenty of boos and hisses and lavish sets and costumes from The London Palladium.
Check prices and buy tickets for Dick Whittington.
The Gruffalo’s Child at Saltram in Plymouth – until 1 February 2026
The Gruffalo’s Child will be taking over Saltram this winter. The magic of this beloved story will be brought to life within Saltram’s garden. Follow along on the journey through the deep dark wood with games, challenges and plenty of festive photo moments along the way.
The trail features interactive games, playful challenges and plenty of opportunities to explore the outdoors together, offering a memorable winter day out for visitors of all ages.
Please note: Saltram House is closed but the parkland is open daily.
Find out more about winter opening at Saltram.
A Forever Home trail at the Donkey Sanctuary in Sidmouth – daily until 9 February 2026
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.
Earth Photo exhibition at Forestry England Haldon – daily until 19 March 2026
Forestry England’s outdoor exhibition showing images from Earth Photo shortlisted works continues daily and is free to visit.
Created in 2018 by Forestry England, the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) and Parker Harris, Earth Photo is a world-leading programme engaging with still and moving image makers to showcase the issues affecting the climate and life on our planet.
The outdoor exhibition displays a selection of the images submitted by photographers from around the world including the melting sea ice of Greenland and the vanishing oases of Morocco.
Find out more about Earth Photo at Haldon Forest.
Snowdrop Festival at The Garden House in Yelverton – Fridays, Saturday and Sundays from 9 January until mid March 2026
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.
The Storytellers: A Sound & Light Experience by Luxmuralis at Exeter Cathedral – 7 to 10 January 2026
Luxmuralis return to Exeter Cathedral with The Storytellers, a mesmerising light and sound installation that brings the rich history of storytelling to life.
This immersive experience takes you on a journey through multiple spectacular sound and light artworks, from the earliest oral traditions to the classics of world literature. From children’s classics to fantasy, from romance to poetry and legends, the storytellers’ crafts are illuminated with stunning visual displays and accompanied by a captivating soundscape, creating a breathtaking celebration of humanity’s timeless tradition of sharing stories.
Find out more and book tickets online.
Wassail and Family Ceilidh at Soapbox Children’s Theatre, Devonport – 10 January 2026
Dress up as tree sprites, faeries and elves, and join Jack Frost and help wake up the apple trees in The Spellbound Wood.
After this most West Country of winter rituals head back to The Soapbox for an evening of dancing with Freedom Fields ceilidh band.
Find out more and book your family’s places on The Soapbox Theatre’s website.
Robin Hood at Palace Theatre in Paignton – 11 January 2025
Join the Merry Men for a fun-filled, action-packed pantomime as Robin Hood takes on the dastardly Sheriff of Nottingham!
With heroic hi-jinks, slapstick silliness, and plenty of audience participation, this family-friendly adventure is full of laughter, music, and magical surprises.
Find out more and book tickets.
Combat Bricks Battle Day at Abbotskerswell Village Hall – 11 January 2026
Did you get LEGO for Christmas? Bring your bricks and a love of building to this robot battling event near Newton Abbot.
Adults and children alike are welcome to design a fighting remote controlled robot and watch them fight against opponents.
No robot of your own? Spectators are welcome. You can also test drive a basic robot or build a model to feed to the ‘brick-thirsty’ aggressive robots.
This event is open from 3pm to 5pm and costs £2 per person. There’s also a pop-up Lego shop and refreshments.
Find out more about this event on Facebook.
Matilda The Musical at The Lyric in Plymouth – 13 January to 7 February 2026
Following the sellout success of its first tour, Matilda The Musical, the multi-award winning musical from the Royal Shakespeare Company, inspired by the beloved book by Roald Dahl, is returning to Plymouth.
With book by Dennis Kelly, music and lyrics by Tim Minchin and directed by Matthew Warchus, Matilda is the story of an extraordinary little girl who, armed with a vivid imagination and a sharp mind, dares to take a stand and change her own destiny.
Check prices and buy tickets online.
Comedy Wildlife Exhibition at Seaton Tramway – 17 January to 19 April 2026
The trams may be taking their winter break but there’ still plenty to entertain wildlife loving families at the Harbour Road depot.
Get ready to LOL at nature’s funniest moments as Seaton Tramway is hosting the internationally acclaimed Comedy Wildlife Photography Exhibition featuring side-splitting, heart-warming and thought-provoking images from around the world.
Find out more and book tickets.
Disney’s Beauty and the Beast JR at Barnfield Theatre in Exeter – 22 to 24 January 2026
Beauty and the Beast JR. tells the story of Belle, an adventurous young girl, and the Beast, her hideous captor who is actually a young prince trapped under a spell. It features classic songs from the Academy Award®-winning film score such as Be Our Guest and Belle, as well as original songs from the 1994 Tony®-nominated Broadway musical.
This production will be performed by students from Clyst Vale Community College.
Room on the Broom activity trail at Haldon Forest near Exeter – open daily from 27 January 2026
The newest children’s activity trail in the partnership between Forestry England and Magic Light Pictures opens this weekend. Help Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s character the Witch as she embarks on a magical journey around Haldon Forest.
Find out mort about the Room on the Broom trail.
Bluey’s Big Play at Princess Theatre in Torquay – 30 January to 1 February 2025
Bluey, Bingo, Bandit and Chilli are heading to Torquay in the Olivier award-nominated live stage show, Bluey’s Big Play.
Featuring brilliantly created puppets, this theatrical adaptation of the Emmy® award-winning children’s television series is packed with music, laughter, and fun for the whole family.
Find out more and buy tickets.
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
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
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
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
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:
- Gara Rock to Mill Bay in Kingsbridge
- Berry Head Nature Reserve in Brixham
- Little Dartmouth to Dartmouth Castle
- Avon Dam in Dartmoor
- Brownstone Battery near Kingswear
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.
