What’s on in Devon this weekend – 17 to 19 July 2026
Hooray for Friday and the start of the summer holidays for many! 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 adverse 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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Bubble & Bop at Pennywell Farm near Buckfastleigh – 18 July 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:
Whitestone summer fun day near Exeter – 18 July 2026
Whitestone parish is holding its family fun day including races, children’s activities, a bouncy castle, a bird of prey experience, BBQ and bar. There will also be music from the 1960s to the 2020s.
Entry is free.
Find out more on the Whitestone website.
This Ain’t Texas Country Festival at Home Park, Plymouth – 18 July 2026
Dust off your boots and grab your cowboy hats for this line-dancing, boot-scooting day of live music and western-themed family fun.
Find out more and get tickets for This Ain’t Texas.
Gala Weekend at Pecorama in Beer – 18 to 19 July 2026
Don’t miss the chance to visit Pecorama for the second of three gala events this summer. This two-day celebration of narrow gauge steam railways takes place in Pecorama Gardens above the village of Beer.
Please note: Pecorama is only open for its gala weekends in 2026 plus from 4 to 27 August 2026.
Find out more about this special event and the other dates happening this summer.
Kingsbridge Fair Week – 18 to 25 July 2026
Kingsbridge Fair Week is a week of free events including live music, fireworks, a carnival and many more community events for all ages.
The full details of all activities and events are available in the fair programme which is available to buy locally.
Find out more on the Kingsbridge Fair Week website.
Brick Explorers at RHS Rosemoor, Great Torrington – 18 July to 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.
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
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.
Clovelly Maritime Festival, near Bideford – 19 July 2026
See the village’s Clovelly Cup Race as well as other waterborne competitions.
Back on land there will be lots of family entertainment and activities.
Under 16s wearing maritime fancy dress get free entry.
See what else is happening during the maritime festival on the the Clovelly website.
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.
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.
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!
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:
