Summer 2026: If you’re coming for a stay in one of the gorgeous holiday cottages here at Stonehayes Farm, or if you’re thinking about it and haven’t quite made your mind up yet, let us tell you – you’re in for a treat. This year there’s so much going on all over this beautiful part of Devon – for families, for people of all ages and all walks of life. Come with us on a round up of the top 10 best events!
Top 10 Best Summer Events in East Devon
June
Exmouth Wellness Festival - 14 June
We all deserve a bit of ‘Me Time’ and Exmouth Wellness Festival promises to be a day with a difference, focussing on health and wellbeing, good food and all-round happiness. Meet instructors, practitioners, stallholders and food producers who bring out the very best out of the bounty that’s sown, grown and made in this beautiful county. From fitness, yoga and Pilates to meditation, sound baths, breathwork and nutrition, there’s so much going on, guaranteed to leave you feeling revived, restored and energised.
Delight your tastebuds with seriously good (and healthy!) food and drink, dance and chill to live music that gets into your soul. The festival is held on the wide sandy beach with coastal views that make you feel good to be alive. Stay late, watch the sunset over the horizon. Namaste.
Budleigh Music Festival - 26 June-4 July
Budleigh Music Festival is a unique celebration of mostly classical music in the usually quiet town of Budleigh Salterton. This year there will also be gypsy jazz and hot swing, New Orleans inspired street music, and immersive workshops for all ages.
Highlights of the 2026 festival are Wolf Hall in Concert, the English Musical Theatre Orchestra – Simply Sondheim, featuring songs from well-known musicals, and Aardman in partnership with Carrot Productions celebrating 50 years of Wallace & Gromit, and Shaun the Sheep and friends.
Events take place at venues indoors and outdoors in the town centre, the beach is a mere stone’s throw away – plan well and tie in some time by the sea.
Rainbow Colour Clash, Exeter – 27 June
The Royal Albert Memorial Museum takes over Northernhay Gardens, right next door, for the Rainbow Colour Clash. This will be enormous fun for families, provided the weather behaves itself. The Rainbow Colour Clash course winds it’s way through the gardens with a series of colour stations that will ensure you leave looking like a walking talking rainbow – so don’t wear your best clothes! Colour the paths and pavements, let loose your inner artists, then go for something to eat in the city centre.
July
Sidmouth Folk Festival – 31 July-7 August
2026 sees the 72nd Sidmouth Folk Festival, an annual event that attracts thousands of eager folkies. Boy, this is fun, with SO much going all over town; it’s like one mega gathering of immersive music, dance, songs and stories. Get your tickets sorted for the events you want to see, stumble across others by chance – it’s nothing out of the ordinary for impromptu music and dancing to strike up anywhere during the festival! There are family workshops and events, a huge Craft and Music Village in the town gardens, with plenty of food stalls, and on the last night, a torch lit procession. Be a part of it, love the big happy vibe.
Exmouth Festival – 9-12 July
Exmouth Festival is a big family-friendly celebration of arts, music, theatre, circus, dance and literature that’s free for everyone. Get in the swing of things with whatever kind of sounds you like, including reggae, funk, blues and folk; watch live dance and theatre performances, join in workshops and wellness activities like Laughter Yoga and Qi Gong. It’s all going on here from Moris Dancing and Silent Discos to Pirate Tales and Circus Shows! There’ll be lots of street food, a craft market, and soft play for younger kids.
East Devon Soul Festival, Seaton – 3-4 July
East Devon Soul Festival sees the coastal of Seaton transformed; the air of quietude and the hush of the sea lapping gently on the shore is replaced for just two days by an eclectic and lively mix of music that’s not only soul, but covers other genres like jazz, electronica, DnB, ska and surf rock. Artists and DJs will be performing at various venues throughout the town, finding food and drink shouldn’t be a problem. Get your groove on!
Natural Seaton Festival - 25 July
Natural Seaton Festival is a day of fun for everyone and is great for families, with things going all over town to celebrate community, nature and the beautiful coastal environment in this part of Devon. Hosted by Seaton Tramway their forecourt is the main place, transformed into a festival ground, with food and drink, activities, and of course tram rides. Wander around town and you’ll find arts and craft stalls, live music, a dog show, majorettes, talks and wildlife demonstrations.
August
Sidmouth Regatta and Air Show – 28-31 August
Sidmouth Regatta and Air Show kicks off with an action packed airshow from the likes of the Red Arrows and the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Douglas C47 Dakota. Other high jinks include a huge three-legged race, a raft race and to round it off, a spectacular firework display on Saturday evening. There’s a food court and bar so you won’t go short of sustenance; expect lots of family fun.
Honiton Agricultural Show – 6 Aug
Honiton Show is one of the biggest one-day agricultural shows in the country, held on a massive 140 acre site just outside of Honiton. It’s an enormous showcase of the best of local farming, produce, crafts and rural skills, with stacks of things to keep you entertained. Make your way round to see livestock, classic cars, vintage tractors and farming implements, watch horse riding and daredevil motorcycle displays, and the dog show.
There’s plenty going on for families, with Punch & Judy, Professor Crump on his stilts, a giant bubble show and a fairground carousel ride. Shopping and food and drink are a big feature of the show too, with lots to tickle your tastebuds, and a Cookery Theatre with Chef Demonstrations. This really is a whopper of a day out, with something for all ages, and a very unique atmosphere.
Beer Regatta 8-14 August
The peaceful Devon fishing village of Beer comes to life with its annual Regatta where you can see maritime racing, raft building, fireworks, barrel rolling, and a community fancy dress day alongside live music and food and drink. The streets are hung with colourful bunting, the residents all come out to join in the fun and mayhem, everyone feels like they’re a part of it. Another good one for families.
And There’s More…
As well as the major events in East Devon for summer 2026, there’s a whole load more going on, including a few more unique and niche events that might appeal. Bicton Park Botanical Gardens will be hosting a Father’s Day Steam & Vintage weekend over the 20-21 June, a Cactus, Succulent and Orchid Day on 4 July, and Clog Dancing on the 25.
Seaton Tramway have events running all through the summer holidays with themed tram rides along the beautiful wetlands of the Axe estuary. On the 21 June Dad’s Go Free as it’s Father’s Day, there’s a Pirate Tram on 25 Aug, a Sensory Story Tram on 28 Aug, and a Moomin Summer Adventure from 3-9 August.
The 12 August is Southleigh Country Fayre near Colyton, a lovely afternoon out with all the traditions of a village fayre, including sheep racing, a tug-of-war, welly wanging, falconry displays, vintage tractors,a dog show and local craft stalls.
Lyme Regis
Lyme Regis isn’t quite in East Devon but we couldn’t help sneaking in some of the events that are going on in the town over summer 2026 as it’s just over the border in Dorset. The 4 July sees the Sausage and Cider Festival, which in our opinion is a good mix, the 11 June is Lyme Morris Day, and from the 31 July-8 August it’s Carnival & Regatta week with heaps going on including an astounding firework display on the opening night. There’s a Fossil Festival on the 13 and 14 June, and The Red Arrows will be putting in an appearance over the town for Lifeboat week which runs from 15 to 23 August.
It’s all happening in our little part of the world this summer! Be a part of it, enjoy some of these brilliant events, make amazing memories.
