With summer holidays in full swing, we’ve prepared a list of things you can get up to in Devon during the busy month of August. Whether it’s something you’ve done before or never even thought about, have a look at our list of events below!
Food
Bideford Flavours of the World Market @ Bideford, Friday 4th to Sunday 6th of August
International Food Market “Flavours of the World” sails into Bideford Quay on 4th-6th August with a manifest of the world’s finest foods
Bideford is likely to be abuzz with out-of-town shoppers and tourists on the first weekend in August when a colourful International World Food market sets up stall on the historic Bideford Quay.
Carefully selected colourful stalls will stretch out along 150m of the quayside on 4th, 5th and 6th August. The 28 stall international event will be advertised and promoted throughout North Devon and will comprise top-quality international traders selling artisan-produced foods and craft products from around the world.
https://www.savoir-fayre.com/calendar/
Eats! Tasting Stations @ Exeter, every Saturday in August
This August, tasting stations will pop up in Princesshay for visitors to sample a taste of summer from local cafes and restaurants.
From pan-Asian tastes at Wagamama and Japanese delights from YO! Sushi, modern dishes from Giraffe World Kitchen, Café Rouge and Carluccio’s or a proper burger from Byron, Princesshay is the place to dine this summer.
https://www.princesshay.co.uk/eats
Kingsbridge Farmer’s Markets @ Kingsbridge, Saturday 5th and 19th of August
You’ll find everything you’d expect from a farmer’s market and more.
Theres fruit and vegetables with most being grown locally. A glistening array of fresh fish and crab landed nearby. The smell of freshly baked bread and pastries still warm from the oven. Fresh meat served by the farmers who tended their livestock, properly hung and from contented animals.
Luscious handmade cakes, a wide range of homemade preserves and sauces, cheeses, locally grown flowers, plants and herbs, pate’s, pies, pasties and honey from Dartmoor are all just a taste of what you could be trying this summer!
https://www.hellokingsbridge.co.uk/events/view/kingsbridge-farmers-market/301
Family
The Donkey Sanctuary Summer Fair @ Sidmouth, Sunday 13th of August
Join The Donkey Sanctuary for Devon’s best family fun day of the summer! This year will be bigger and better than ever, with entertainment for the whole family.
Highlights include:
• Donkey meet and greet
• Trailer rides
• Punch and Judy
• Live music and entertainment from Leave Before Dawn, Anna Hamill and Sunshine Samba
• Fun stalls and games run by our volunteers and staff
• Go-karting
• Climbing wall
• Archery
• Fire brigade demonstration
• Bouncy castles
• Face painting and glitter tattoos
• Award winning food and drink stands
• Shopping village – from local crafts to food produce – we have it all!
• Free prize draw
• Free parking & dogs welcome
ENTRY
£1 per adult, under 12’s FREE
events@thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk
Knights and Dragons @ Powderham Castle, Friday 4th of August
Join an original magical, medieval tale of knights, dragons, witches and wizards written by Pocketwatch Theatre. Themed sessions take place at specified times.
Sessions run for approximately 45 to 60 minutes and are aimed for children between 5 -11yrs (and adults) of all ages.
Outdoor themed sessions may be dependent on the weather and PTC/Powderham reserve the right to make changes, substitutions and cancellations to the published schedule at any time.
https://www.powderham.co.uk/events/knights-and-dragons
Music
Sidmouth Folk Week @ Sidmouth, Friday 4th to Friday 11th of August
Sidmouth Folk Week is a unique week-long seaside celebration of music, dance and song taking place in the charming East Devon regency coastal resort – a must in every festival goer’s annual diary.
There has been a folk festival in Sidmouth in the first week of August every year since 1955, attracting tens of thousands of visitors to over 700 diverse events with a promise of ‘something for everyone’ – from major league concerts to small intimate sessions, from ceilidh dancing to lively roots parties, from family entertainment to youth-centred masterclasses, from social dance to colourful dance displays.
The town’s streets and venues come alive with festive atmosphere as holidaymakers and festival goers join together in a music-based holiday to remember.
https://sidmouthfolkweek.co.uk/
Heath Quartet @ Totnes, Saturday 12th of August
Described by The Strad as giving ‘passionate performances that combine technical accomplishment with interpretative flair’, the leading young Heath Quartet is rapidly emerging as an exciting voice on the international chamber music scene. Their recording of Tippett’s string quartets received widespread acclaim and won the 2016 Gramophone Chamber Disk of the Year. A subsequent release of Tchaikovsky’s Quartets was selected as Disk of the Week by both The Sunday Times and BBC Radio 3. Future highlights include a return to the Berlin Konzerthaus, performances in Austria with Michael Collins, as well as appearances at the Wigmore Hall.
Their lovely, meaty programme for Dartington includes some of the greatest quartet repertoire ever written, including Mendelssohn’s late quartet dedicated to his sister Fanny.
https://www.dartington.org/whats-on/event/?id=213403
Theatre
Annie @ Honiton, Thursday 3rd to Saturday 5th of August
Annie, the world’s favourite family musical comes to The Beehive, as Honiton Community Theatre Company return with their acclaimed summer musical. Following the success of ‘Urinetown’ and ‘The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe’, you can bet your bottom dollar Annie is a surefire hit.
Featuring the unforgettable songs ‘Tomorrow’, ‘Hard Knock Life’ and ‘You’re Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile’, Annie tells the story of our favourite New York orphan and her search to find her parents.
Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd @ Totnes, Friday 18th of August
Sondheim’s crackling, dark portrayal of The Demon Barber of Fleet Street has it all – love songs, cannibalism, and a murderous barber. It caused an immediate sensation when it first appeared on Broadway in 1979, and since then has been performed all over the world in theatres and opera houses; Tim Buton’s film starred Johnny Depp. This masterpiece of 20th century music theatre, in a production created especially for Dartington is unmissable.
https://www.dartington.org/whats-on/event/?id=215807
Seasonal
Beer Regatta @ Seaton, Saturday 5th to Friday 18th of August
A week packed with different events to suit all ages.
From scavenger hunts and children’s fun to fireworks and late night dances – you’re sure to find something at Beer Regatta. The focus is fun, the mood is happy; hopefully the weather is fine, but even if rainy, the welcome will always be warm.
Traditional sea shanties start the week of events whilst avid anglers find their sea legs for the fishing competition. Get ready to trip the light fantastic at the Regatta Dance but save some energy for the Family Fun Day with land races for young and old. Talks, competitions and even arm wrestling pave the way to Regatta Day.
https://www.beer-regatta.co.uk/
British Firework Championships @ Plymouth Hoe, Wednesday 9th and Thursday 10th of August
The world famous British Firework Championships is set to return to Plymouth’s Waterfront, 9 – 10 August 2017.
This year’s competitors are:
1. AJ Pyrotechnics – from Folkstone, Kent – www.ajpyrotechnics.co.uk
2. Dragon Fireworks – from Chertsey, Surrey – www.dragonfireworks.co.uk
3. Nemisis Pyrotechnics – from Nantwich, Cheshire – www.fireworkuk.co.uk
4. Selstar Fireworks – from Selsey, West Sussex – www.selstarfireworks.co.uk
5. Smart Pyrotechnics – from Devizes, Wiltshire – www.smartpyro.co.uk
6. The UK Firework & Events Company – from North Finchley, London – www.theukfireworkcompany.co.uk
https://www.visitplymouth.co.uk/whats-on/british-firework-championships-p1166573
