Hello Devon Lovers,

Today we preview 5 standout Devon festivals coming soon — none of them alike.

One takes over an entire town with 100+ acts and not a ticket in sight. Another mixes fairground rides with tribute bands and camping.

We’ve got all the facts you need, with no fluff, to make your choice (s). The dates, lineups, formats, vibes and links.

More amazing Devon music festivals in 2 weeks’ time.

Dart Fest, Dartmouth, Friday 16th to Monday 18th May

LINEUP: The Busketeers, Dave Sutherland, Stompin’ Dave & Lucy Piper Electric Duo, Adam Falkingham, Staircase Opera, Choral Vespers, Kings & Bears, Dartmouth Theatre Company and 90+ more. Full lineup and YouTube playlist.

FORMAT: 3 days, more than 100 bands and acts, 20 venues, including a church, art centre, bandstand, yacht club and pannier market. Emerging talent and established acts. Free.

VIBES: A rare blend of musical diversity and atmospheric setting, with genres from choral and orchestral to funk and folk.

• What sets the festival apart is a deep integration with the town; live music on formal stages, in pubs and public spaces.

• Despite being free, Dart Fest maintains high production quality and attracts large, engaged crowds.

Pigstock, Bideford, Saturday 17th May

LINE-UP: Sonique, DJ Bez, Molly Hocking, The Cuban Brothers, Laid Blak, Chivenor Military Ladies Choir. Details

FORMAT: Located at the Big Sheep farm theme park. Mainly established artists. Food village, circus skills and bubble shows. Free parking.

VIBES: The festival consistently balances big-name tribute acts with local flavour and the free kids entertainment gives it a strong community feel.

• Attendees note the smooth logistics and lively atmosphere that make it a standout North Devon event. “UK’s friendliest family festival!” said DJ and TV presenter Jo Whiley.

Sidmouth Jazz and Blues Festival: Friday 23rd to Monday 26th May

LINEUP: Soul II Soul, Curtis Steiger, Gabrielle, Eric Bibb, Nubiyan Twist, Laurence Jones, Synthonic, James Taylor Quartet, Zayn Mohammed, Wolfgang Valbrun. Full lineup. 

FORMAT: 4 days of live music starting with an evening concert on the Friday. Many free live music events at local venues plus free workshops and masterclasses.

• A Soul Food area highlights local producers, and a Love Local stage welcomes up-and-coming musicians.

VIBES: Now in its 4th year, Sidmouth Jazz is gathering a head of steam and critics say it brings an unexpectedly high standard of jazz and blues to an otherwise quiet coastal town.

• There’s a mix of free and ticketed performances, with street music and fringe events.

• Some visitors found the main venue acoustics mixed, but praised the quality of musicianship.

Festival on the Hills, Taunton, Thursday 29th to Saturday 31st May

LINEUP: Dave Pearce, Dick & Dom, Badness, The Bar Steward Sons of Val Doonican, Absolute Britney, Macbusted, The Skimmity Hitchers, Royal Monster, Michael Mathers Eminem. Full lineup

FORMAT: Not strictly within the county borders in its new location but a Devon fixture nonetheless (previously Honiton) now in its 5th year.

• 3 days, a fun fair and family entertainment, food and drink. Aims to attract all age groups from kids to grandparents. Weekend tickets include camping.

VIBES: Still relatively under the radar, this festival offers an eclectic mix of music and impressively diverse activities for families.

• Attendees highlight the friendliness of volunteers and the relaxed site layout. It has a strong local following and is beginning to attract attention from further afield.

Here For The Music, Bideford, Friday 6th to Sunday 8th June

LINEUP: Fisherman’s Friends, Pet Needs, Bar Stool Preachers, 3 Daft Monkey, Wilswood Boys, Cam Cole, Tony Wright, The Leylines, The Lagan, Headsticks, Skimmity Hitchers Learn more

FORMAT: 36 acts, 2 festival stages, music and arts stage (songwriter sessions, drum lessons and workshops) open mic and performance, children’s fun activities, food village.

VIBES: With its emphasis on indie, folk, and acoustic acts, this micro-festival cultivates a cosy, DIY atmosphere.

• It’s especially popular with musicians and creatives who value the open-mic sessions and late-night fire pit jams.

• The crowd is typically older and very respectful, contributing to its laid-back, “secret-gem” feel.

Devon Curiosities #51: Down Tor Stone Row and Circle

If you’re looking for a true experience of atmospheric Dartmoor this is your place.

A 45 minute sometimes wet and boggy walk from the nearest road means there probably won’t be anyone there when you arrive - unlike the easier to reach Merrivale and Scorhill stone rows.

LOCATION: Down Tor Stone Row and Circle is on Hingston Hill near Burrator Reservoir. Archaeologists say it is one of the most striking Bronze Age ceremonial sites on the moor.

HISTORY: What the 11 metre circle and line of 157 blocks were actually used for is not known.

• The best guess is that some sort of ceremony or procession took place there, linked to the movement of the sun or the moon.

GETTING THERE: Park at Norsworthy Bridge car park (PL20 6NP) and bring your best navigational skills. Ascend Down Tor and proceed roughly east across open moorland. Handy map here

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NEW!  🏖️ A beach hut getaway for 2 in South Devon plus a £130 pampering products package (30th Mar)

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🎉 1 of 4 free 2025 Devon holidays at either River Dart Country Park, Cofton Holidays, Woodlands Grove or Crealy Theme Park (30th Apr)

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❓️ Sometimes the best things happen by chance

🌳 Celebrate the dark and glorious moor

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🚚 The prettiest tough guys in the West

That’s all for this week.

All ideas, feedback and suggestions are very welcome. Email me.

Thanks for being a member.

Andy, Esme, Lara and the Go Devon! team