Brixham Pirate Festival, 2-4 May

One of the biggest pirate gatherings in the world.

Thousands of people arrive in Devon’s famous fishing port for a free weekend of swashbuckling fun and seaside shenanigans.

Enjoy pirate antics, street theatre, historical re-enactments, fancy dress competitions, children's activities and themed food and drink.

Dressing up is increasingly popular. More details…

Plymouth Running Festival, 11 May

This is a running festival for everyone, beginners and experienced, young and old, combining athletic challenge with the picturesque backdrop of the Plymouth waterfront.

Events get booked up quickly.

Choose from a half marathon, 10K, 5K and a children’s race, or just turn up to catch the excitement.

This year there will be a lot of green around as the Plymouth Argyle fanbase makes its presence felt. More details…

Devon County Show, 15-17 May

One of the biggest events in the county calendar where we can all sample the wonders of the countryside.

It’s a vibrant mix of animals, tractors, heavy horses, food, music, dog shows, pony racing, funfairs, crafts, gardens and shopping.

In fact everything associated with country life in Devon. More details…

English Riviera Airshow, 30 May to 1 June

Jets, historic aircraft and skydivers take over the skies at Paignton for a free summer spectacular that attracts around 200,000 people.

Torbay’s natural amphitheatre provides a stunning location for the first airshow of the UK season.

Spectators enjoy a fun weekend with a fair, carnival and food stalls on Paignton Green and can watch the show from the water on a RIB or ferry. More details…

Summer Sessions, 12-15 June

As outdoor concert venues go, Plymouth Hoe takes some beating.

This year fans can watch the sun go down over the Tamar River as they listen to Snow Patrol, James with Razorlight, Jamie Webster and Tom A Smith, Pendulum and The Corrs with Natalie Imbruglia. More details…

Part 2 of Top outdoor Devon events 2025 coming soon.

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Boost your business by reaching an engaged, fast-growing audience of Devon leisure and events lovers. Opportunities coming soon. See the features list.

Devon Curiosities #40: The Dittos of Dawlish

MAGICAL STORY: David Hardie made up stories for his children about mythical elf-like beings called Dittos, who live in Dawlish and, being invisible, secretly look after wildlife, recycle and keep things tidy.

Many years later he became ill then faced months of recovery at home during the 2021 lockdown. To beat off boredom he carved a wooden house for a Ditto, and before long had a growing collection.

It could have remained just a hobby, but the people of Dawlish fell in love with the quaint little houses. Volunteers, businesses and the local authority offered to help. The idea of a Dittos Trail in the town became a community project.

TODAY: There are 47 Ditto houses, including a theatre, museum, factory, sweet shop, school and fire station, forming a fun and interesting trail.

David and his sister Diana Townsend have written two Dittos books, one a prize-winner, and created colouring books and other mementoes. Last year they hid 14 mini-chapters of a Christmas story around the town.

Dawlish visitors comment on the exquisite detail and beauty of the models, and the trail has become something of a tourist magnet to rival Dawlish’s black swans.

VISIT: Find out more and download the trail map here.

WHAT ELSE IS ON?

🌊 North Devon 

JANUARY

Sun 12th

WASSAILING | 🍎 Bless the fruit trees with songs, soup, mulled cider and music | 4.30pm to 6.30pm. Community garden. Okehampton.

WASSAILING | 🍏 Heddon Valley Wassail with cider, toast and music. 2pm to 4pm, near Barnstaple. National Trust £2.

Wed 15th

OPERA SCREENING | 🎶 The Royal Opera: The Tales of Hoffman | The Landmark Theatre, Barnstaple | Tickets from £14

Sat 18th

ART | 🖼️ Introduction to Suminagashi paper marbling with George Rayner | The Cornerstore, Barnstaple | Tickets £30

Fri 24th

MUSIC | 🪘 Drumming Experience with Djembe Devon | The Cornerstore, Barnstaple | Adult tickets £15, children £5

CRAFT | 🎨 Introduction to Indian Block Printing with Tara Knight | Studio KIND at the Corn Store, Barnstaple | Tickets £25

ENTERTAINMENT | 💃 1950s / 60s Jamboree Weekend | The Barnstaple Hotel, Barnstaple | Tickets from £299 per person for dinner, room and breakfast.

More North Devon events

🐬 South Devon

JANUARY

Sat 11th 

WASSAILING | 🍎 Apple blessing celebrations | 1pm to 3.30pm, Blockhouse, Stoke, Plymouth.

Wed 15th

BEACH SURVEY | 🌊 Shoresearch Volunteer Survey | Wembury Marine Centre, Wembury | Free

Sat 18th

WASSAILING | 🍎 Morris dancing, juggling and entertainment. 4pm til late, Community orchard | Stoke Gabriel

IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE | 🌍 Explore the solar system | Market Hall, Plymouth | Other dates in January | Tickets £6.31, U17s £4.19

Fri 24th and Sat 25th

COMEDY | 😆 Rob Beckett: Giraffe | Princess Theatre, Torquay | Tickets from £35.18

Sun 26th

BALLET | 🩰 Swan Lake | Princess Theatre, Torquay | Tickets from £25

More South Devon events

🏆️ Get lucky! Win Devon prizes

FEATURED: 👨‍👨‍👧‍👦 A hot tub luxury caravan break for a family of 4 near Totnes (31st Jan)

NEW!  🌊 A luxurious waterfront weekend mini-break for 2 in Plymouth, including dinner and free cinema tickets (no closing date given)

🏇 A day out for 2 plus lunch at Exeter Racecourse, worth £240 (14th Jan)

NEW!  ✨ A luxury 2-night spa break at a South Devon hotel including Prosecco on arrival, 2x 1-hour spa treatments, dinner both nights, and a cream tea (31st Jan)

NEW!  🥓 Bed and breakfast for 2 at the Future Inn, Plymouth before the end of February. (31st Jan)

NEW!  ☕️ An afternoon tea and treat for 2 at The Retreat Spa, Exeter, worth £190. EX and TQ postcodes only. (31st Jan)

NEW!  🩰 An overnight stay for 2 with dinner and breakfast and tickets to Cinderella at Theatre Royal Plymouth (4th Feb)

NEW!  🩰 A second chance to win the prize above. (5th Feb)

🍾 A 1-night stay with dinner for two, plus Prosecco on arrival, at one of the oldest pubs in South Hams (28th Feb)

⛵️ 3 nights away for 2 people in Sidmouth and Salcombe with breakfasts and 1 dinner plus £1,000 spending money (28th Feb)

🍸️ A master distiller's tour for 2 people (make your own gin) and a hamper at Plymouth Gin (no closing date given) 

New member? Catch up here

🍎 Bless the fruit trees

🎭️ Must see Devon shows 2025 (3)

🌊 Is this Devon’s biggest winter swim?

📚️ The quality bookshop with no prices

That’s all for this week.

Thanks for being a member.

With Devon love,

Andy, Esme, Lara and the Go Devon! team