Devon loves to celebrate its local food and drink, live music, arts and crafts, literature and, of course, flaming barrels of tar (yes, you read that correctly!)
 
Here we’ve put together eight of our favourite East Devon festivals, all of which can be easily reached from our nearby holiday cottages.
 
With a great range of events taking place all year round you’re sure to find something to keep everyone entertained and create some extra special memories on your next break.

1 Devon County Show

Big Pete in the Monster Truck Team; photo credit Devon County Show

Where: Westpoint Arena, Exeter
When: June/July
Details: This giant celebration of farming, food and country life brings together all that’s best about Devon. Devon’s hugely popular ‘Big Day Out’ is the biggest event in the county’s calendar, so you’d ‘butter’ not miss it! Expect house-sized heifers, canine superstars and competitive sheep shearing, funfairs, food and drink galore and, of course, lots of shopping. Just try not to buy a huge tractor on the credit card (they can be very persuasive). Top chef Michael Caines will be cooking up some incredible dishes in the cookery demonstration theatre and there are lots of hands-on activities for children. Dazzling entertainment includes the outrageous antics of the Big Pete & the Grim Reaper Monster Truck Team and adrenaline-fueled action in The Extreme Bike Battle.

2 The Contemporary Craft Festival

Where: Mill Marsh Park, Bovey Tracey
When: June 
Details: Over 200 of the UK’s finest designer-makers will be returning to the multi award-winning Contemporary Craft Festival in the picturesque market town of Bovey Tracey. 20122 promises to be even bigger and better than ever with a jam-packed line-up of workshops, demonstrations, a Craft Cinema, children’s activities, street theatre, festival food, live music and so much more!

3 Exeter Craft Festival

Where: Exeter Cathedral Green
When: July
Details: Set against the imposing backdrop of one of England’s most beautiful medieval cathedrals, the Exeter Craft Festival is spread across the pretty Cathedral Green. Over 100 West Country designer-makers and artists showcase ceramics, textiles, metalwork, jewellery and much more underneath a tented village. Expect family friendly entertainment including Punch and Judy, face painting, singers, dancers and even a strolling jazz band, as well as a fine choice of refreshments.

4 Sidmouth Folk Week

The Yves Lambert Trio © Sidmouth Folk Week

Where: Sidmouth
When: July/August 
Details: Featuring both established stars and emerging talent, pretty much everyone who’s anyone in British folk today puts in an appearance at this unique week-long seaside celebration of music, dance and song. The charming Regency coastal resort of Sidmouth bursts with atmosphere and colour as visitors come together for what many consider the friendliest music-based holiday event of the summer. Enjoy a diverse array of live musical performances and other events, including folk dancing, storytelling sessions, workshops, arts and crafts and much more. The event dates back more than 60 years, drawing tens of thousands of visitors.

5 Exeter Foodies Festival

Where: Escot Park, Ottery St. Mary
When: September 
Details: Escot Park welcomes keen foodies from far and wide to its award-winning Exeter Foodies Festival. Thousands gather for a long weekend of mouth-watering fab food, delicious drink and entertainment. An enjoyable day out for the whole family, visitors can attend workshops & masterclasses from top chefs, bakers and more. Plus other fun family hands-on activities and an exciting line up of live music.

6 Budleigh Salterton Literary Festival

Where: Budleigh Salterton
When: September
Details: Literature fans will enjoy the chance to meet and chat with top literary names at this popular literary festival now in its ninth year. A stellar line-up of writers and thinkers converge on this iconic coastal town so come along and soak up the warm and intimate atmosphere. Check their website as this year’s line-up is announced – tickets are available through this link.

7 Powderham Food Festival

 
Where: Powderham Castle
When: October
Details: Powderham Food Festival is a firmly established event in the ‘foodies’ calendar. Set in an historic deer park on the banks of the River Exe, Powderham Castle provides a wonderful location for this celebration of glorious food. The estate produces venison and other game, beef, pork and lamb, as well as owning rights to River Exe shellfish, and all these delicious things are turned into great dishes by the many chef demonstrations. The woodlands too produce wild mushrooms and there are lots of opportunities for foraging. Check their website for updates as more details of the festival are revealed!

8 Tar Barrel Rolling

Flaming Tar Barrels Festival 2016 by Lewis Clarke

Where: Ottery St Mary
When: November 5
Details: The Tar Barrel Rolling in Ottery St Mary in November is a real Devon experience! Every year on November 5 huge flaming tar barrels are carried through the streets of Ottery St Mary – and thousands turn out to see this quite jaw-dropping spectacle. To find out more about this dangerous, tremendously fun and (still) legal event click here.

Where to stay for Devon Festivals

Burrows near Sidmouth – sleeps 6

Many people plan their visits to Devon around a food experience, festival or event. If this sounds like your cup of tea, take a look at our East Devon Holiday cottages. Between 10 to 35 minutes’ drive from all of these Devon festivals, they really are the cream of the crop.