What’s on in Devon this weekend – 11 to 13 September 2026
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!
If you’re here in Devon for the summer holidays, find out what’s on during the rest of September.
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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Things to do in Devon this weekend
Here’s all the things to do and places to visit this weekend:
Heritage Open Days in Devon – 11 to 20 September 2026
This annual opportunity to explore some of the nation’s most extraordinary and often hidden places of history and culture for FREE is happening again in 2026.
From 11 to 20 September you can take special tours of heritage places in Devon like Hemyock Castle, Cawsey Merchant’s House and St Nicholas Priory.
Family favourites like Killerton, Saltram and Arlington Court also have free open days.
Here’s the full list of places to visit during Heritage Open Days in Devon.
no Tales at Princess Theatre Torquay – 12 September 2026
With a captivating story and an entire herd of pre-historic beasts, Dino Tales is an unforgettable family adventure starring Europe’s largest walking dinosaurs to ever roam the stage.
Along the adventure you’ll meet Freya the dancing Raptor, Dylan the cheeky Dilophosaurus, Angie the Ankylosaurus, Scar the fearsome Spinosaurus and Roxy the mighty T-Rex.
Find out more and get tickets for Dino Tales.
Ashburton Food Festival – 12 September 2026
Come and meet the people behind local produce at this foodie festival in Ashburton. As well as lots of delicious stalls there’s going to be a stage with live music and talks about food, menus for kids and food from abroad.
The festival takes place across North Street and Saint Lawrence Lane.
Find out more about the Food Festival.
Plymouth Seafest – 12 to 13 September 2026
Love seafood? Head to The Barbican and Sutton Harbour this weekend to sample some of the South West’s best alongside some nautical entertainment.
Seafest is free to attend and celebrates the incredible sustainably caught fresh fish and seafood on offer in Britain’s Ocean City.
Find out more about what’s on at this year’s festival.
East Devon Food Festival – 12 to 20 September 2026
This celebration sees award-winning venues, producers, chefs and restaurants across East Devon join forces to celebrate the incredible food and drink on offer across the region.
Founder members include River Cottage, THE PIG-at Combe, Darts Farm, Mazzard Farm, Otter Brewery, Deer Park Country House, East Devon AONB, Donkey Sanctuary, Jack in the Green and Lympstone Manor.
The festival starts with the iconic Ottery St Mary Food and Families Festival with a whole host of tasting experiences, set menus and events.
Find out more about what’s on where on the Taste East Devon website.
Earth Photo 2026 at Coleton Fishacre in Kingswear – 12 September to 21 October 2026
The National Trust gardens at Coleton Fishacre are hosting the touring photographic exhibition Earth Photo 2026. It brings together award-winning photographers and filmmakers from across the world, inviting them to create innovative and visual stories that encourage conservations about our world and the challenges it faces.
Coleton Fisacre is also celebrating its centenary and the team have delved into the archives to share photographs documenting the building of the house and landscaping of the garden from start to finish.
This and the Earth Photo 2026 exhibition are included in the normal admission price and free for National Trust members.
Find out more about visiting Coleton Fishacre.
Toddler Fest at the Big Sheep – 13 September 2026
This big attraction in North Devon is hosting an even bigger day out for little people with live shows, music, dancing and role play.
If you have a little people under five this event is not to be missed.
Find out more on The Big Sheep website.
Summer evening illuminations at Babbacombe Model Village – every Friday in September 2026
See Babbacombe’s model village sparkle on selected nights throughout the summer. There will be thousands of lights, along with special fire and lighting effects to create an enchanting atmosphere on Tuesday and Thursdays after dark.
Regular admission prices apply. Booking not essential.
Find out more on the Babbacombe Model Village 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.
Free storytelling at The Box in Plymouth – every Friday until 18 September 2026
Parents of toddlers: start your visit to The Box with a free 30 minute storytelling session under the figureheads. These sessions are perfect for under fives and start at 10.30am.
Find out more about Tell Me a Story sessions at The Box.
Read Write Yap Literary Festival at Royal William Yard in Plymouth – daily until 30 September 2026
Royal William Yard is hosting its first literary festival with a month of events, from a mythology workshop at sea, writing and crafting sessions, and multiple book clubs.
Children can take part in a story-writing competition and take part in a workshop with Plymouth’s Laureate of Words, Richard Thomas later in September.
Find out more about what’s on during Read Write Yap.
Curious Coastal Quest at The Donkey Sanctuary in Sidmouth – daily until 30 September 2026
Calling all intrepid explorers! Help to find the lost pieces of the coast at The Donkey Sanctuary.
Hidden around the Sanctuary are eight Jurassic Coast boards. Using your trail sheet, search high and low for each board, making sure to say hello to any donkeys you see on the way.
Entry and parking at the Sanctuary are free. Trail sheets cost £5 each.
Find out more about what’s on at The Donkey Sanctuary.
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.
Cockington Court Sculpture Trail in Torbay – daily until 1 November 2026
Listen up art lovers, explorers and history enthusiasts! The Cockington Court sculpture trail has returned for 2026 and this year is inspired by movie magic This free trail features more than 30 different sculptures created by local artists and sculptors.
To take part collect a free map from inside the Manor House between 10.30am and 4.30pm daily.
Find out more about this free sculpture trail in Torbay.
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 September
Get the full picture of what’s on in September 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:
