What’s on in Devon this weekend – 7 to 9 August 2026
Hooray for Friday and the school holidays! 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!
If you’re here in Devon for the summer holidays, find out what’s on during the rest of August.
Please check event organisers’ websites and social media channels for up-to-date information about opening, particularly during adverse weather.
Know of an event I can add to future editions of this guide? Submit a listing!
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Bubble & Bop at Pennywell Farm near Buckfastleigh – daily until 6 September 2026
There’s a whole host of bubbly fun happening at Pennywell Farm is this summer with music, games and bubble themed photo opportunities as well as all the usual farm fun.
Meet the Pennywell mascot Pippa and don’t miss a cuddle with the farm’s famous micro pigs.
READER OFFER: buy your family’s day tickets online using the code DEVKIDS7 and you’ll be able to visit for up to seven days for the price of one. For T&Cs visit my Devon discounts page.
To get the low down and buy tickets visit the Pennywell website.
More things to do in Devon this weekend
Here’s all the things to do and places to visit this weekend:
Sidmouth Folk Festival, Sidmouth – daily until 7 August, 2026
Sidmouth will be awash with music for all ages, which includes plenty of fun activities for families.
Workshops and performances range from crafting to songwriting and dance to singing and forest school.
The Star Marquee will host the Young Performers Stage where families can enjoy performances from some of the UK folk scene’s finest up-and-coming musicians. It also makes for the best picnic spot of the festival!
For families with very little ones, the Rainbow Tent will be hosting sensory story sessions, drop in playtime, and providing a much needed space to chill out when the hustle and bustle of the main festival gets a bit much.
And that’s not all. There’s workshops on all kinds of folk themes for kids aged five and up.
Find out more about the festival programme and children’s festival activities on the website.
North Devon Show, Umberleigh – 6 August 2026
This celebration of North Devon’s agricultural roots offers plenty of opportunity to see the region’s finest livestock in the arena.
There’s also arena shows, vintage vehicles, family activities and trade stalls.
For full details about what will be happening at the show see the website.
Honiton Show, East Devon – 6 August 2026
Head to this traditional farming show to see one of the county’s largest one-day celebrations of agriculture with more than 400 exhibitors and 1,000 livestock entires into various competitions.
For the latest updates and event programme see the Honiton Show website.
Once Upon a Bubble Show at The Plough Arts Centre, Great Torrington – 7 August 2026
Internationally renowned, Totnes-based bubble artist Bubbles LaFae is bringing her new interactive family show The Plough Arts Centre.
It’s a colourful summer-holiday show combining giant bubbles, fog, lighting effects, music, storytelling, silliness and audience participation.
Find out more and get tickets from the Box Office.
Community Picnic at Coldharbour Mill near Tiverton – 7 August 2026
Bring your favourite food and join in a free family-friendly picnic in the lovely surroundings of Coldharbour Mill’s Paddock.
There’ll be free entertainment for all ages, hands-on activities, and classic highlights like the much-loved duck race.
Entry to the museum is optional and available at the usual admission rate if you’d like to explore the exhibits.
Find out more about what’s on at Coldharbour Mill this summer.
Dartmoor Folk Festival – 7 to 9 August 2026
This family-friendly festival in the Dartmoor village of South Zeal includes music concerts and Ceilidhs.
Events on the recreation ground include morris dancing, the duck race and ferret racing are by donation on the gate so it’s a brilliant cheap family day out!
Check out further information and programme details at the Dartmoor Folk Festival website.
Newton Abbot Country Show, Newton Abbot – 8 August 2026
This fun-filled family event promises to have plenty for the whole family to enjoy including farm animals, pony rides and a children’s play area, as well as more than 75 stalls.
There’ll be food for all tastes and a beer garden to enjoy a cool drink before continuing your visit.
Find out more about Newton Abbot Country Show.
Theatre in the Park Presents: BIN RAT!!! at Exeter Phoenix Theatre – 9 August 2026
This fun, feral family comedy by The Last Baguette takes a look into refuse and recycling. Rummage through the rubble with Bin Rat to discover where all the junk goes!
The Last Baguette makes entertaining, accessible and eccentric work for family audiences and uses live music, physical comedy, puppetry, visual storytelling & silliness to talk about important issues of our times.
This show is great for families with children aged four to 11. Please be aware that the performance takes place outside with a grassed seating area.
Find out more and get tickets from the box office.
South West Sardine Festival in Brixham – 9 August 2026
Devon is giving Portugal a run for its money this August with its own Sardine Festival. This is the second year this free seafood event has come to Brixham Harbour with live cooking, music and street entertainment from midday until 9pm.
Behind the grills will be Mitch and Ben Tonks, Matt Tebbutt, Mark Hix, Jane Baxter, Nieves Barragán Mohacho of Sabor, Sam White of Fortnum’s 45 Jermyn Street and Steven Lamb of River Cottage – all cooking sardines over charcoal on the quayside.
Find out more about what’s on at the Sardine Festival.
North Devon Festival of Transport, Bideford – 9 August 2026
See classic, vintage, agricultural and military vehicles at the North Devon Festival of Transport taking place in Victoria Park, Bideford.
This charity event is on from 10am to 4pm. Under 16s go free.
Find out more on the Festival’s Facebook group.
FamFest Live at various Devon venues – 9 to 30 August 2026
FamFest is a touring festival where you’ll find a non-stop celebration of family, music, and good vibes in the great outdoors.
The festival is taking place in Torbay, Plymouth and Plymstock.
The festival has immersive kid zones and hands-on experiences as well as performances from chart-topping artists and family-friendly music acts across all genres.
Well behaved dogs are welcome on a lead and under 10s go free.
For more information and tickets visit the FamFest website.
Free family fun at Royal William Yard in Plymouth – every Saturday until 29 August 2026
Plymouth’s Royal William Yard is bringing families together every Saturday in August with a programme of completely free activities, plus a full summer’s worth of adventures on the water, on the big screen, and throughout the Yard.
From hands-on creative workshops to open-air sports and a full RNLI open day, the historic waterfront destination has loads going on.
Find out more about what’s happening each week.
Brick Explorers at RHS Rosemoor, Great Torrington – daily until 30 August 2026
Explore the spectacular Royal Horticultural Society Rose moor gardens in an immersive wildlife trail featuring intricately hand-crafted brick creations and hands-on building activities, in collaboration with Iconic Bricks.
Discover ten ‘wildlife superheroes’, learning about the unique abilities and behaviours that help different species survive and thrive using an activity booklet.
Families can also enjoy additional creative LEGO® workshops lead by Stemgineering on selected days.
Find out more about what’s on at RHS Rosemoor this summer.
Staying Alive Exhibition at Coldharbour Mill near Tiverton – daily until 31 August 2026
Created in partnership with MAKE Southwest, this thought-provoking exhibition shines a spotlight on the Red List of Endangered Crafts, celebrating traditional skills while raising awareness of the crafts at risk of disappearing.
Find out more about what’s on at Coldharbour Mill this summer.
Go wild at Newton Abbot Museum this summer – until 31 August 2026
Discover a summer full of nature, creativity, and family fun at Newton Abbot Museum. Explore the wildlife exhibitions, take part in special challenges and visit on any Thursday in August for FREE wildlife-themed drop-in activities including live animal encounters.
READER OFFER: mention Devon with Kids in the museum shop and get 10% off your purchase.
Find out more about what’s on at Newton Abbot Museum this summer.
Bored kids?
Cappy the Crab’s Devon Activity Book is a digital download packed with puzzles, games and creative sheets to keep your kids entertained during holidays and at home.
RRP: £5.50
Our Story with David Attenborough at Market Hall in Devonport – daily until 2 September 2026
‘Our Story with David Attenborough’ is coming to Plymouth’s immersive dome – the first time it’s ever been shown outside of London’s National History Museum.
Step inside the dome and experience a cinematic journey through the story of our planet, surrounded by incredible visuals, sound and storytelling, narrated by Sir David Attenborough.
Plym Card holders can also get 10% off tickets.
Find out more and get tickets online.
Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Trail at Saltram in Plymouth – daily until 4 September 2026
If your kids are into Pokémon they’re going to love the new TCG Mega Evolution Trail garden trail at Saltram National Trust this summer.
Search the gardens for each Mega Evolution Pokémon, discover their powers, and complete your own challenges. Trail sheets will be available to collect on the day. Normal admission also applies (free for National Trust members).
Find out more about what’s on at Saltram this summer.
Art on Your Doorstep free outdoor art trail in Torquay – until 5 September 2026
Torre Abbey has been chosen as one of four partners to showcase The National Gallery: Art on Your Doorstep touring art trail. It brings iconic artworks from the National Gallery’s collection directly to communities across the UK.
From now until September life-sized reproductions of masterpieces by Monet, Turner, Rousseau and many more artists will be on show from Torre Abbey to Torquay Harbour.
This initiative offers residents and visitors a rare opportunity to experience world-class art in everyday settings.
Find out more about the exhibition and its route in Torquay.
Summer fun at National Trust properties – daily until 6 September 2026
The National Trust’s summer activities programme are underway with fun activities and events for families.
Participating properties include:
- Arlington Court near Barnstaple
- Lorna Doone Valley near Lymouth
- Castle Drogo on Dartmoor
- Buckland Abbey near Plymouth
- Saltram near Plymouth
- Knightshayes near Tiverton
- Greenway near Churston
- Coleton Fishacre near Brixham
- Killerton near Exeter
Check each property’s web pages for activity information and open days. These vary from place to place.
Colour exhibition at RAMM in Exeter – daily until 6 September 2026
This exhibition brings together over 150 objects spanning art, science, nature and cultural histories, and explores how we see it, how it’s made, how it’s used and how meaning can become attached to it.
This is a family-friendly exhibition where under 19s go free.
Find out more on the RAMM website.
St Luke’s Guiding Lights Trail in Plymouth – daily until 13 September 2026
There’s 40 colourfully decorated lighthouses to be found around Plymouth during a free activity trail in aid of St Luke’s Hospice.
Either visit the charity’s website and find each lighthouse’s location for free or download the app for £1.99 from the Apple or Android stores for a map and extra information. Printed maps are available from Plymouth Tourist Information Centre and most St Luke’s charity shops for a suggested £2 donation.
Find out more about this St Luke’s Guiding Light Trail.
Escape The Game’s Summer escape room in Bovey Tracey – daily until to 14 September 2026
The quizmasters at Bovey Tracey’s Escape The Game escape rooms are laying on a family-friendly puzzle this summer. Play traditional games you’d find at the fair with a puzzling twist.
READER OFFER: Get £2.50 off per child. Book online using the code DWKOFFER2026. This is valid for bookings with a minimum of three players until 14 September 2026.
Find out more and book on the Escape The Game website.
Age of the Dinosaurs at Kents Cavern in Torquay – daily until 31 October 2026
Have you heard what’s arrived in Kents Cavern this week? They’re 66 million years late to the party, but dinosaurs have finally found their way into the dramatic caves, which were formed a mere 2.5 million years ago.
Age of the Dinosaurs is a new exhibition showcasing skeleton models of 18 species of pre-historic monsters. They range from the equally loved and feared T Rex to the super cute (according to my teen) 60cm long Aquilops Americanus.
Find out more about visiting the dinosaurs at Kents Cavern.
‘Voices of the garden’ immersive audio trail at Greenway near Galmpton – daily until 1 November 2026
Step back in time on this exciting trail as HistoryScapes, an immersive audio app, brings Greenway’s garden to life.
Use your smartphone to unlock stories as you explore the riverside gardens of Agatha Christie’s South Devon holiday home.
This is a free activity. Normal National Trust admissions apply.
Find out more about what’s on at Greenway.
Room on the Broom activity trail at Haldon Forest near Exeter – open daily from 27 January 2027
The newest children’s activity trail in the partnership between Forestry England and Magic Light Pictures opens this week. 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.
Insects Uncovered at Newton Abbot Museum – daily until 1 March 2027
See a collection of butterfly specimens and take part in The Great Butterfly & Moth Hunt to find
eight insects hiding around the museum and learn some amazing facts along the way.
When you’ve found them, go to the front desk to collect a special sticker for your Pastport and some wildflower seeds to plant at home.
Find out more about what’s on at Newton Abbot Museum.
What’s coming up in August
Get the full picture of what’s on in August in my guide to family events and days out.
If you would like to see your event listed submit a listing! Submissions are open from September onwards.
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:
