Hooray for Friday! If you’re looking for family-friendly things to do in Devon you have come to the best place for events and special activities. Read on to find out what’s on in Devon this weekend!
Please check event organisers’ websites and social media channels for up-to-date information about opening, particularly during bad weather.
Know of an event I can add to this guide? Submit a listing! I’ll add it as soon as I’m able.
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Things to do in Devon this weekend
Below I’ve picked out some of the most family-friendly things to do in this guide to what’s on this weekend:
Pumpkin Festival and Pumpkin Nights at Pennywell Farm in Buckfastleigh – daily until 2 November 2025

Find out more and book tickets on the Pennywell Farm website.
More pumpkin patches in Devon

Pumpkin patches are open! Take a look at my guide to where to pick up a gourd across Devon.
Treasures of North Devon exhibition at Barnstaple Museum – daily until 11 October 2025
Explore a family-friendly exhibition of North Devon’s Treasures, some of which are usually on display at the British Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.
Admission to the museum is free.
Find out more about what’s on at the Museum of Barnstaple.
Cockington Court Sculpture Trail – daily until 2 November 2025

The Cockington Court sculpture trail has returned for 2025 and this year is inspired by the theme of ‘prehistoric’. This free trail features more than 30 different sculptures created by 24 local artists and sculptors.
This years theme is prehistoric! so expect to see some stunning designs and interpretations.
To take part collect a free map from inside the Manor House between 10.30am and 4.30pm daily.
You can also pick up a trail sheet in the Hub & Craft Shop for just £1 per child. This trail takes you through the grounds and studios of Cockington Court and the businesses of Cockington Village as you hunt down items.
Find out more about this free sculpture trail in Torbay.
Drizzles Pumpkin Party Halloween Trail at The Donkey Santuary in Sidmouth – daily until 3 November 2025

Help Drizzle the Donkey celebrate her Halloween birthday by completing this fun trail to find hidden pumpkins around the sanctuary.
Find all the pumpkins to discover Drizzle’s age and win a prize.
Entry to the sanctuary is free. Trail sheets cost £5 each and can be bought in the gift shop.
Find out more about what’s on at The Donkey Sanctuary.
Caterpillar at Soapbox Children’s Theatre – selected dates until 11 October 2025

Fun loving Caterpillars, Bob and Bob wriggle out to explore the big wide world. Join them on their adventures discovering food, getting up to mischief and escaping from the cheeky chicken before transforming into beautiful butterflies.
This original show, which has been created by Stiltskin Theatre Company will delight young audiences from six months up to eight years and their parents.
Find out more and buy tickets.
England’s Seafood Festival in the English Riviera – until 12 October 2025

A two-week celebration of Devon’s world-renowned seafood is returning to the towns of Brixham, Paignton and Torquay.
Throughout the celebration the English Riviera towns all showcase some of the best seafood in the world, right where it’s landed. Highlights include everything from fine dining to street food and seafood celebration suppers to guest chef events.
Find the full programme on the English Riviera website.
Free storytelling for toddlers at The Box, Plymouth – 10 October 2025
Join students from the University of Plymouth for a free storytelling and craft session under the figureheads at The Box every Friday this month.
The session takes place between 10.30am and 11am.
Find out more on The Box website.
Stranger Folk interactive adventure at Kingshayes National Trust in Tiverton – until 30 November 2025

Step into a world of folklore, mischief and old magic this autumn, as the National Trust launches Stranger Folk, an immersive Halloween-inspired adventure game, available now on the Apple App Store and Google Play.
Using a mobile phone, players are drawn into a spirited tale of ancient folklore where sneaky goblins, cunning boggarts, and mysterious Stranger Folk as they explore the gardens and woodlands of Knighthayes in a whole new way.
Find out more about Stranger Folk.
Six at Princess Theatre in Torquay – 7 to 11 October 2025

From Tudor Queens to Pop Princesses, the six wives of Henry VIII take to the mic to tell their tales, remixing five hundred years of historical heartbreak into a celebration of 21st century girl power.
This multi award-winning show has plenty of family appeal but is best suited to children aged 10 and up.
Find out more and buy tickets online.
Community Scarecrow Trail at Arlington Court near Barnstaple – 8 to 31 October 2025
The annual Community Scarecrow Trail returns to Arlington Court this autumn with a special trail sheet to help you find them all while exploring the gardens.
Pick up a free trail sheet from visitor reception and spot scarecrows created by local schools, community groups and volunteers along the way. Normal admission charged apply.
Find out more about Arlington Court.
Lydford Gorge Viking trail – 8 October to 2 November 2025
Did you know that in 997AD the Vikings advanced on Lydford in search of plunder. Follow in their footsteps this autumn on a family-friendly trail around the orchard.
This trail is included in the standard admission charge.
Find out more about visiting Lydford Gorge.
Sidmouth Science Festival Super Science Family Day – 11 October 2025
Experience a free action-packed 10 day of scientific discovery and hands-on fun, perfect for the curious minds of all ages.
Some of the activities on offer include making motors, projectiles, bubbles, chemistry, physics and maths.
Events take place at Kennaway House, the Parish Church, the Sid Vale Association HQ and All Saints’ Church and Hall. There’s no need to book.
This day is part of a longer festuval taking place from 10 to 19 October.
For more information visit the Sidmouth Science Festival website.
Rock pooling safari at Wembury in South Devon – 11 October 2025
Join the South Devon National Landscape Estuaries Officer, a marine biologist, for an introduction to the struggles and tribulations of life in the intertidal zone.
Explore and discover the variety and adaptions of marine life found along this rocky shore.
Find out more about visiting South Devon National Landscapes website.
Festival of Discovery in Exeter city centre – 11 to 12 October 2025

The University of Exeter is running a free, immersive event giving families the chance to delve into its fascinating research in topics from science to culture.
The FUTURES festival will include a pop-up curiosity shop in Princesshay where you can work with real scientists, a treasure trail weaving around the city centre, and guided walking tours to explore the area in a fascinating new way.
Find out more about what’s on over the weekend.
Comic Con & Gaming Festival at Westpoint Exeter – 11 to 12 October 2025

If you and the kids are into the world of comics and gaming, Exeter has just the day out for you. Expect prop exhibitors, activities, cosplay and special guests at Comic Con & Gaming Festival at Westpoint.
Find out more and get tickets.
Autumnfest at Arlington Court near Barnstaple – 11 October to 2 November 2025

Step into Autumn at Arlington Court where you’ll find a harvest table laid in the dining room and seasonal floral displays throughout.
Outside, head to the garden to see the Atlantic giant pumpkin and gourd display. Wander through the grounds and follow the fairytale-themed scarecrow trail, created by local schoolchildren, community groups, and volunteers.
For younger adventurers, there’s a special children’s spotter trail.
Plan your visit and find out more on the Arlington Court website.
Freight Train Experience at South Devon Railway – 12 October 2025

Jump aboard South Devon Railway for a great day out. Enjoy steam-hauled heritage train on the open veranda of a 1930s ‘Toad’ or 1950s ‘Shark’ rides.
Your ticket also includes unlimited travel on our other passenger services during the day, perfect for exploring the local area.
Find out more about this offer on the South Devon Railway website.
Cockington Apple Day – 12 October 2025

Cockington Court’s free annual Apple Day returns this month with plenty of family fun planned including arts and crafts, live music, apple-inspired fun, a service at Cockington Church and more than 40 market stalls selling food, drinks and crafts.
The on-site Seven Dials Café will be serving food and drinks all day. There will also be some new additions to this year’s event, including a Craft Bus, Angel Heart Theatre and Elfic the comedy juggler.
See apples being pressed and bring your own to be turned into juice for a small donation.
Find out more about Cockington Apple Day.
What’s on next weekend in Devon?
Finishing the month with a bang, here’s what’s coming up on the weekend of 17 to 19 October 2025:
Titanic Exhibition at Westpoint in Exeter – 15 to 31 October 2025

This immersive Titanic showcase brings the story of the RMS Titanic to life, from its design and construction to its tragic sinking on 15 April 1912. The exhibition will also explore the ship’s enduring legacy, including its influence on film and television.
Among the highlights is a collection of artefacts from Titanic’s past, including what is believed to be the largest surviving fragment of the aft Grand Staircase. Personal belongings of passengers and crew will also be on display, offering a deeply human perspective on the tragedy.
Find out more and book tickets to see the exhibition at Westpoint.
Beyond Van Gogh exhibition at Westpoint Exeter – 16 to 31 August 2025

Another immersive experience coming to Westpoint this month brings the masterpieces of Vincent van Gogh thrillingly to life in one unforgettable cinematic multimedia experience.
Experience over 300 masterpieces, including iconic classics such as The Starry Night, Sunflowers, and Café Terrace at Night, now freed from their frames.
This exhibition takes you on a journey through the artist’s world from darkness to light, enhanced by his own dreams, thoughts and words set to a stirring symphonic score.
Find out more and get tickets for Beyond Van Gogh.
Earth Photo exhibition at Forestry England Haldon – 17 October 2025 to 19 March 2026

Forestry England’s outdoor exhibition showing images from Earth Photo shortlisted works is coming to Devon.
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 is free to explore will display 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.
Piskies vs Trolls Trail at Buckland Abbey in Yelverton – 18 October to 2 November 2025
Piskies caused mischeif at Buckland Abbey during the Spring and now they are back, but this time they’re squabling with the resident Buckland Trolls!
The Trolls have just woken up from their summer slumber. Come and see what these guys have been up to! Playing pranks, tricks and hoaxes on each other.
Find out more about visiting Buckland Abbey.
Magic, Mystery & Illusion at Knightshayes in Tiverton – 18 October to 2 November 2025

Visit Knightshayes for a Halloween experience full of interesting illusions and mystery.
Enter the House and find that not everything is always as it seems as you discover optical illusions of the Victorian era. Venture into the gardens to discover more mysteries.
Find out more about visiting Knightshayes.
Know of an event I can add to this guide? Submit a listing! I’ll add it as soon as I’m able.
What’s on this October in Devon

Planning ahead? Check out my guide to what’s happening in Devon in October. I can also give you a sneak peek at what’s happening over half term.
Bored kids? Rainy day? Download the Devon Activity Book!
If you would like to see your event listed submit a listing!
What’s on at the theatre

Here’s where to find the latest listings and what’s on at Devon’s theatres:
- The Flaval, Dartmouth, South Devon
- Palace Theatre, Paignton, South Devon
- Princess Theatre, Torquay, South Devon
- The Pavilions, Teignmouth, South Devon
- Theatre Royal, Plymouth
- The Soapbox Children’s Theatre, Devonport, Plymouth
- Babbacombe Theatre, Babbacombe, South Devon
- Exeter Northcott Theatre, Exeter
- Barnfield Theatre, Exeter
- Exeter Phoenix Arts Centre, Exeter
- Exeter Corn Exchange, Exeter
- The Landmark Theatre Ilfracombe and Queens Theatre Barnstaple, North Devon
More things to do in Devon this weekend
Here’s some more guides with ideas for things to do and places to visit for the whole family:
- Ideas for rainy days in Devon
- Soft play centres in Devon
- Zoos and animal attractions
- Theme parks in Devon
- Farm shops in Devon
- Outdoor activities and attractions
- Dog-friendly family attractions in Devon
- Free things to do
- Adventure playgrounds in Devon
- Things to do with teens in Devon.
Why not visit one of Devon’s theme parks, indoor attractions or go on a walk on Dartmoor.
Devon what’s on guides
If you’re after more reading to inspire your future Devon weekends, check out these posts: