Welcome to the West Country Diary for Devon 2020 .

1 January 2020 to 31 December
Topsham Community Market Exeter Topsham Community Market is held every Saturday indoors at Matthews Hall in Topsham near Exeter from 8:30am to 1pm. A vibrant market with a range of food stalls as well as clothing, craft, antiques and plenty of other types of exciting stalls.

1 January to 31 December 2020
Newton Abbot Markets Newton Abbot holds a host of markets throughout the week in the centre of this bustling town. Newton Abbot Indoor Market In the Market Hall you’ll find Newton Abbot Indoor Market and Food Hall which is open every day from 9 – 4.

2 January 2020 to 18 January 2020
English Riviera Winter Open Exhibition Fleet Walk Shopping Centre, Torquay Join Artizan Collective on the English Riviera for Devon's largest Christmas Arts show! The English Riviera Winter Open Exhibition hosts more than 75 artists and over 250 works for nearly 60 days, making it the perfect stop for Christmas gifts… Open 11:00 - 17:00

11 January 2020 to 22 Mar 2020
Royal Photographic Society: South West Region Biennial Exhibition Torquay. An exhibition of works by the Royal Photographic Society: South West Region Members. The exhibition covers a wide range of images including visual art, landscapes, nature, people and travel. Image used in the event listing is not representative. Various Opening Times  

11 January 2020 to 8 February 2020
Open 10:00 - 17:00 South West Academy Exhibition Honiton An exhibition of work by members of the South West Academy of Fine and Applied Arts Academicians and Associate Members of the South West Academy mark the start of their 20th Anniversary celebrations in 2020 with this Winter Exhibition.

14 January  2020
Exeter City Football Club Raceday Exeter Open 10:45 - 16:45 There is nothing better than an afternoon racing and on this raceday Exeter Racecourse welcomes all Exeter City FC fans. That's why we're sure our new midweek fixture will have you wrapping up warm and enjoying great racing on Haldon Hill. Exeter Racecourse, Exeter.

15 January 2020
Open 19:30 - 21:45 Evening of Mediumship - Brixham BRIXHAM CONSERVATIVE CLUB (non-members Welcome) 7.30pm Tickets £10.00 - Available online Psychic Medium Nikki Kitt is a Spiritualist Medium

18 January 2020
Open 11:00 - 15:00 Wedding Show Torquay over 30 of the best exhibitors, Live music on stage along with a huge catwalk

20 January 2020 to 25 January2020
Open 19:30 - 20:30 Priscilla Queen of the Desert Plymouth The iconic musical Priscilla Queen of the Desert is coming to Theatre Royal Plymouth! Starring Strictly Come Dancing winner Joe McFadden, Priscilla is the hilarious adventure of three friends who hop aboard a battered old bus.

20 January 2020 to 25 January 2020
Open 19:30 - 22:00 Priscilla Queen of the Desert Plymouth The iconic musical PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT is coming to Theatre Royal Plymouth! Starring Strictly Come Dancing winner Joe McFadden, PRISCILLA is the hilarious adventure of three friends who hop aboard a battered old bus bound for the Outback.

20 December 2019 to 18 January 2020
Open Open 13:00 - 16:00 and19:00 - 22:0020 CINDERELLA Plymouth After the fairy tale magic of Dick Whittington, don't miss the magic of next year's must-see production of Cinderella, the Fairy Godmother of all pantomimes! You and your family shall go to the ball.

21 January 2020 to25 January 2020
Open 19:45 - 21:15 Once Upon A Time... Plymouth The fairy tale adventure bursting with comedy, clowning, music and magic. It was dark. It was almost certainly snowing Gonzo Moose Theatre Company are proud to announce the UK Tour of their new show,

 22 January 2020 Open 19:30 - 21:30 Circus of Horrors Exeter The new Circus of Horrors show will be a celebration of the 25 years and will include an amazing phantasma glorios amalgamation of acts, driven by a rock n roll sound scape, a show that will have you sat on the edge of your seat

22 January 2020
10.45am - 12 Noon THE ITALIAN GARDEN AT GREAT AMBROOK Torquay Torquay Museum Society Lecture By Angela Dodd-Crompton The garden's volunteer historian since 2005, Angela explores the magic and mysteries of this unique Grade-II listed Edwardian garden near Ipplepen.

22 January 2020 to 25 January 2020
Open 19:30 - 22:0025 January 2020 Open 14:30 - 17:00 The Babes and the Hood Totnes A take on two classics - Robin Hood and The Babes in the Woods. Written by local Totnes resident, John Parker, this Panto promises to be one of our best shows yet! A family pantomime with all the usual tricks and mischief you would expect.

22 January 2020
Open 10:45 - 13:45 Guided Birdwatching Cruises Exmouth Marina, Exmouth Our Guided Birdwatching Cruises are ideal for anyone who would like to see the many thousands of birds that migrate to the area during the Autumn and Winter months. Suitable for beginners and beneficial to experts

23 January 2020
Open 19:00 - 23:00 Burns Night. Huntsham Enjoy a traditional supper, dance a cèilidh and ponder Robert Burns' "Address to a Haggis", read by esteemed bagpiper Paul Jackson, all in the stunning surroundings of Huntsham Court.

24 January 2020
Open 19:30 - 23:00 Aerialists - Juno Nominated Neo-Folk Canadian Band Kingskerswell, Newton Abbot Their music combines a love for folk tradition with a deep desire to experiment with form. With one album under their belt, the band has already made a name for themselves with a distinctive hybrid approach to traditional music.

24 January 2020
Open 16:30 - 18:30 Acrylics workshop and art course devon Experimental and Expressive Acrylics Workshop Honiton. A series of three Friday workshops exploring acrylic paint using experimental techniques with SWAc artist Phil Creek. Learn about blending expressive and traditional methods and constructing both abstract and representative work.

25 January 2020
Open 14:30 - 17:00 The Babes and the Hood Totnes A take on two classics - Robin Hood and The Babes in the Woods. Written by local Totnes resident, John Parker, this Panto promises to be one of our best shows yet! A family pantomime with all the usual tricks and mischief you would expect.

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Devon Diary

1 February 2020 to2 February 2020
Snowdrop Weekend Guided Walk Great Torrington Join us for RHS Garden Rosemoor's Snowdrop Weekend when we celebrate these early harbingers of spring. There will be specialist nurseries (Elworthy Cottage Plants, Triffids

February, Shrove Tuesday 25th 2020
Lentsherd Clovelly EX39 5TA Lentsherd (pronounced ‘Lanshard’) is an old Clovelly Shrove Tuesday custom. Historically the aim is to chase bad spirits away and drive the devil into the sea before Lent. This has been going on for centuries. At dusk children set off Down-a-Long, dragging their clattering tin cans. When they reach the harbour, the children’s cans are tied together thrown into the Harbour (later retrieved). Children taking part will receive a free pancake to decorate with toppings. Free entry after 4:30 pm

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Devon Events For March 2020

March, Monday 30 to April, Monday 13  2020
Find the Easter Chicks Clovelly EX39 5TA Children receive a village map on entry to Clovelly. This is to mark the location of a number of Easter chicks perched up and down the cobbled High Street to the quay. If they spot at least 10 chicks they can return the map to the Visitor Centre reception to win an Easter egg. If they spot all 15 chicks, they will win a bigger prize!

22 March 2020
Bump to Baby Torbay Venue: Riviera International Conference Centre Devon 28 March 020 to 29 March 2020
Bride: The Wedding Show at Westpoint Exeter Westpoint Exeter: Devon

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Devon Events For April 2020

April, Saturday 04  2020
Charity Dinner Clovelly EX39 5TA The Red Lion Hotel, Clovelly, is hosting a charity night dinner for the North Devon Hospice. Tickets will be just £60.00 each and will include a five course tasting menu, with wines matched to accompany the course. For guests attending the function we are also offering a very special rate of just £40p/p sharing a twin and double room.

12 April 2020
Cove Garden Nursery Easter Fair Cove Garden Nursery Devon 18 April 2020
Mum2mum Market Plymouth Baby & Children's Nearly New Sale Harewood House Devon

April 22nd 2020
The Sixteen: The Queen of Heaven - Bristol Bristol Cathedral, Bristol BS1 5TJ The Sixteen perform music of Marian devotion by Palestrina and Sir James MacMillan. Tickets £15 – 30, with discounts of 50% for students, under-35s, job-seekers, people living with a registered disability and their carers. Box Office: 0333 010 2850

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Devon Events For May 2020

2 May 2020 to3 May 2020
Brixham Pirate Festival, Brixham, Devon A swashbuckling mix of piratical fun and entertainment! There will be LOTS of pirates, military and period re-enactors here with guns and cannons to make plenty of noise! 2 May 2020 to3 May 2020
English Riviera Bike Festival, Paignton, Taking place on Paignton Green and just a pebble's throw away from the beach, the festival features live music, stunts, a beer tent and more stalls that you can shake a… From: 15 May 2020 to17 May 2020
Dart Music Festival Dartmouth Devon The annual three day Dart Music Festival is now in its 23rd year. The event will be held from Friday 15th to Sunday 17th May 2020 in the port and town of Dartmouth.

2 May 2020 to3 May 2020
English Riviera Bike Festival, Paignton, Taking place on Paignton Green and just a pebble's throw away from the beach, the festival features live music, stunts, a beer tent and stalls.

04 May 2020
Uffculme Show - Country Fair The Showfield Devon 16 May 2020
Mum2mum Market Plymouth Baby & Children's Nearly New Sale Harewood House Devon 24 May 2020

May Sunday 24 2020
Seaweed Festival, in aid of the North Devon Hospice Clovelly EX39 5TA Seaweed Festival is held to promote seaweed for its immense health and nutritional benefits. In a multitude of colours, textures, shapes and sizes, it is tasty, full of minerals, fibre without calories and is the best salt substitute. Quay kitchens will have a surprising variety of dishes and stalls will be selling a range of seaweed products and arts and crafts. Plus live music, craft activities and workshops, talks and demonstrations, street entertainment and storytelling.

30-31 May 2020 10am-5pm
The English Country Garden Festival At Coombe Trenchard, Lewdown, Okehampton EX204FA The English Country Garden Festival is a quintessential traditional summer show with a diverse selection of exhibits and specialists Featuring 85+ handpicked exhibitors from throughout the South West Also a fine display of Classic cars. 01566 783179

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Devon Events For June 2020

6 June 2020
Pinhoe Hub Funday America Hall Devon

27 June 2020 and 28 June 2020
Holsworthy Vintage Rally - Dog Section Venue: Holsworthy & Stratton Show Field County: Devon

6 June 2020 to 7 June 2020
Torbay Airshow in flight in Paignton, Devon
Events are centred around Paignton Green, with free entertainment for all the family, including exhibition stands, bars, food stalls, display teams, inflatable slides, bouncy castles and fairground rides.

20 June 2020 to21 June 2020
Axe Vale Show Festival Axminster Axe Vale Show is a weekend long event run on the Showground just outside Axminster. Marquees and stalls full of foods, drinks, crafts , plants and flowers and more

20 June, Saturday 2020
150 th Anniversary of the Lifeboat Station Clovelly EX39 5TA Clovelly Lifeboat Station is holding a celebration of its 150 th year in service in 2020. There will be live music, crew members past and present and a display of model lifeboats as well as local Coastguard and helicopter displays (pending no call outs for them on the same day). A selection of old lifeboats that served at the Clovelly Station will also be in the harbour. There will also be entertainment, 150 th celebration mementos to buy, and an extravaganza of things to see and do.

June 20th 2020 7.00pm
Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream -Stoke Damerel Church 85 Paradise Rd, Plymouth Devon PL1 5QP
A new imagining of Shakespeares classical fantasy comedy.Performing the full, uncut original text, this production by the internationally award winning South Devon Players Theatre & Film Company, brings to life this well loved piece. Four lovers from strict, formal steampunk-styled Athens, run away to the forest, where the fairies, the mischievous forest spirits, are frolicking, with hilarious results. Running time approx 3 hours with half-time interval. contact 07855 090589

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Devon Events For July 2020

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Devon Events For August 2020

August, Saturday 01 to Sunday 02 2020
Lifeboat Weekend, in aid of the RNLI Clovelly EX39 5TA This is a great weekend for all the family, packed full of fun and action. On Saturday there’s a very popular 2 mile sponsored swim from Bucks Mills to Clovelly, starting at 9:00 a.m. Adults battle their way through the currents all the way. Sunday is an entertainment-packed day. ATC Gun run up the cobbles in the morning and there will be lifeboat operational displays during the day. There are food, info stalls and a BBQ with entertainment for all, including tug of war, games and competitions. The Lifeboat House will be open and there’ll be an exciting rescue display in the afternoon by Clovelly’s volunteer lifeboat crew. So come along! You’ll love it.

1 August 2020 to 8 August 2020
Salcombe Regatta Festival Salcombe In August, the Salcombe Town Regatta will be regaling visitors and local residents alike with a typically packed programme of fun and festivities.

8 August 2020to16 August 2020
Paignton Regatta Community Fun Week
Some things stay the same, other things change and the 172nd Paignton Regatta Community Fun Week is no different. We’ve been working hard over the last few years to mix our traditional events with an abundance of live entertainment on our stage.

16 August 2020
Seaside Special, RNLI event, Brixham, Devon Seaside Special
Full details will be listed on the web site A week of fun and games at the Lifeboat station and on the water including a range of stalls, etcTorbay has been served by Lifeboats since 1866

18 August 2020 to22 August 2020
Children's Week Paignton
The UK's longest running children's festival - Torbay Children's Week, why not come and celebrate on Paignton seafront with all your favourites.
There will be a packed programme of performances, workshops and events throughout the week.

21 August 2020to24 August 2020
Torbay Royal Regatta Torquay, Devon
Three great days of racing for IRC and Cruiser Classes, Sportsboats, PY Dinghies and Junior Classes with racing taking place on the fine sailing waters of Torbay on the English Riviera. Free berthing for yachts and dinghies is included in the entry

28 August 2020to30 August 2020
Cowes Torquay Cowes Classic Offshore Powerboat Race
Torquay Devon. Times to be confirmed - best view point Berry Head. The 200-mile classic has long been recognised as one of powerboating’s toughest challenges, and comparisons have been made with motorsport

29 August, Saturday 2020
Gig Regatta Clovelly EX39 5TA Gig racing is exciting and strenuous. You're assured an exhilarating day watching the racing. So come along and cheer on the crews as they brave North Devon's waters!

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Devon Events For September 2020

Please ring the contact number for dates for annual events

3 September 2020 to3 September 2020
Moor 2 Sea Sportive Sporting Exeter The Moor 2 Sea Sportive, now in its 5th year, offers you a choice of three updated routes. The Inspire (37 miles / 60 km) route

September 4th 2020
The Sixteen: The Choral Pilgrimage 2020 Wells Cathedral, BA5 2UE Description with times: The Sixteen celebrate 20 years of their Choral Pilgrimage tour with music from 16th and 17th Century Rome. 19:30 – 21:10. Tickets £15 – 30, with discounts of 50% for students, under-35s, job-seekers, people living with a registered disability and their carers. Box Office: 0333 010 2850

September, Sunday 06 2020
Lobster & Crab Feast, in aid of the The National Lobster Hatchery, Padstow Clovelly EX39 5TA Clovelly celebrates its famous, sustainably caught, lobsters and crabs. Live folk music, quay kitchens, cookery demonstrations, a magnum of champagne prize draw, delicious lobster and crab dishes, craft stalls and beer tasting. Plus street theatre, walkabout magic, balloon modelling and craft activities. The National Lobster Hatchery will be exhibiting baby lobsters before releasing them into the sea at the beginning and end of the day. They are best known for their lobster stock enhancement programme. They rear baby lobsters from eggs, the most vulnerable stage of their life cycle, before releasing them into the sea.

12 September 2020 to12 September 2020
Autumn Fayre Free Event Newton Abbot Enjoy local craft stalls, live music, face painting, town centre games, balloon modelling and much more at Newton Abbot Autumn Fayre, held in Newton Abbot Town Centre

12 September 2020 to27 September 2020
Devon Open Studios Exhibition Devon Open Studios is an exceptional chance for the public to enjoy art at its origin. A cornucopia of art will be on offer across Devon when resident artists and artisans…

12 September 2020 to13 September 2020
Plymouth Seafood Festival Plymouth Seafood Festival is back for its 8th year in 2020 and is set to bring The Barbican and Sutton Harbour alive with entertainment, activities and dishes to celebrate.

12 September 2020 to13 September 2020
Topper Travellers Open Weekend Brixham
25-35 training on Saturday with racing on Sunday.
The Topper is an iconic single handed sailing dinghy that has provided years of pleasure to sailors around the world, with nearly 50,000 boats now sold.

15 September 2020 to19 September 2020
Agatha Christie roller skating with friends in Torquay, Devon International Agatha Christie Festival Agatha Christie purists and literary fans rejoice, its that time of year again!Agatha Christie is Torquay's most well-known resident and the best selling author.

18 September 2020 to20 September 2020
Abbfest Food and Drink Newton Abbfest returns to Fermoy's Garden Centre from the 18th to 20 th of September to raise money for local charities and causes! Having raised over £220,000 since the festival.

18 September 2020 to4 October 2020
England’s Seafood FEAST
England’s Seafood Coast will play host to a feast for all the senses between 18th September and 4th October 2020. You will be able to immerse yourself in England’s Seafood .

19-09-2020 Mum2mum Market Plymouth Baby & Children's Nearly New Sale Harewood House Devon

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October, Wednesday 28 2020
Apple Day Clovelly EX39 5TA Bring a bag of apples, have them pressed at the Visitor Centre, taste the juice; bring more for pasteurisation and bottling. On entry to Clovelly, children can enjoy apple games and crafts, apple bobbing and stamping. There'll be a farmers market plus a fun harvest hunt with spooky stories (pre-book your place), and Animal encounters with South West Animal services.

3 October to4 October 2020 Powderham Food Festival Powderham Castle - Powderham Food Kenton, Exeter. Powderham Food Festival, the autumnal foodie event that celebrates the South West’s finest food and drink producers.

23 October 2020 to25 October 2020
Dartmouth Food Festival 2015 Dartmouth The Dartmouth Food Festival is back for 2020 with a tempting mix of delicious regional food and drink, chef demonstrations, workshops, lively food debates and fun for all.  

17-10-2020
Mum2mum Market Plymouth Baby & Children's Nearly New Sale Harewood House Devon

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Please ring the contact number for dates for annual events

14 November 2020
Torquay Christmas Carnival Procession Torquay
Get into the festive spirit at this seasonal event! See the spectacle of decorated floats from the Devon Carnival circuit and local community groups. All monies collected go to local charities.

November, Sunday 15 2020
Herring Festival Clovelly EX39 5TA Clovelly Herring Festival always falls in November. It’s the time of year when our historic village celebrates the coming of the great “Silver Darlings”, better known as herring. We celebrate and promote this tasty, nutritious fish whilst supporting sustainable fishing. Mike Smylie, attends with his “Kipperland” exhibition, which is devoted to the history of all things herring. Mike also turns the herring into delicate-tasting kippers and bloaters in his smokehouse for sale. Flaxland will provide their exhibitions  On the quay, kitchens serve a variety of delicious herring specialities along with beer, gin and cider tastings, local food and craft stalls. And throughout the day there will be live music, street entertainers, face-painting, art workshop, an exhibition of Clovelly herring fishing, tasters & recipes, and children's activities.

28 November 202027 November 202126 November 2022
Lanterns, Lights and ‘luminations Brixham will celebrate its Christmas Lights Switch on with a ‘Lanterns, Lights and ‘luminations’ parade. The Quay, Middle Street, Fore Street, Strand, Kings Street. Brixham Christmas Lights Switch On Event. 10 am to 1 pm FREE Lantern.

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Devon Events For December 2020

December

December, Sunday 06 2020
Christmas Lights, in aid of the RNLI Clovelly EX39 5TA Christmas lights in the village makes this such a magical time at Clovelly. It starts at 3:30 pm in the afternoon. A local brass band leads the procession down to the harbour with festive Christmas carols sung along the way. There’ll be a hog roast, hot dogs, Christmas grog and other refreshments available at the Harbour and Lifeboat Station. Then Father Christmas will make a surprise visit. After the Carol Service lead by a local vicar and sung by a local choir, the switch is thrown and the entire village and harbour lights up. It’s a fantastic sight! Then there is a grand finale of fireworks to finish off the festivities.

December, Saturday 26 2020
Boxing Day Barbecue Clovelly EX39 5TA Enjoy a lunch barbecue and hog roast on the quay with FREE entrance into the village all day and live music. It should make the perfect follow-up to your Christmas Day! December, Thursday 31 New Year's Eve Fancy Dress Party Clovelly EX39 5TA Party away until the New Year bells chime. There will be fires and gunpowder to illuminate the quay and celebrate another year's passing, plus a disco. You'll find it a thrilling way to welcome in the New Year in an atmospheric village setting.

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DEVON MARKETS MONTHLY FARMER’S MARKET Fresh local produce, straight from the farm Bideford First Wednesday  Buckfastleigh Every Thursday  Cullompton Second Saturday  Crediton First Saturday  Exeter Every Thursday Kingsbridge First Saturday  Killerton House Third Saturday (Mar - Oct) Okehampton Third Saturday  Ottery St Mary 1st Friday of each month on the Land of Canaan Park from 9.00am to 1.00pm Plymouth Second Saturday  Totnes Good food Sunday Every Third Sunday of the Month Market Square, Totnes ALL YEAR ROUND MARKETS Bideford Tuesday – Pannier and Cattle Markets Wednesday – Seasonal Open Air Market Saturday – Pannier Market Great Torrington Tuesday – General Market Thursday – Pannier Market Friday – Craft Market Saturday – Collectors and Flea Market Holsworthy Wednesday – Open Air and Cattle Market APRIL – DECEMBER KINGSBRIDGE CRAFT MARKET (Tuesday and Friday each week) Sidmouth Thursday market Sidmouth St Johns hall Blackmore drive Sidmouth every Thursday 9-4pm for tables contact Mark Wood on mobile 07592805349

 

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Please ring this phone number or contact the Devon Tourist Information Office for dates for these attractions

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