Summer Events in Lyme Regis and East Devon 2026
Please do check all details with organiser’s websites before you travel in case of any changes or errors on here.
What’s On in 2026 along the Jurassic Coast
Fossil hunting, museums, theatre, art, crafts, mackerel fishing, paddle boarding or just an ice cream on the beach. You can do these things all year round, but in the summer, Lyme Regis and the towns along the Jurassic Coast in East Devon come to life with a huge number of special events.
So whether you are a local or just visiting this summer, then read on to find out about lots of fantastic summer events in the area and get planning. I’ve also added some others to the events listings page and share updates on Facebook all year round.
Here’s a selection of what’s on in Lyme Regis and East Devon
LYME REGIS MAY FETE tbc
Enjoy traditional fete fun and games with lots of stalls and attractions. FREE Entry to this popular local family fun afternoon in Lyme Regis at Anning Road Recreation Ground, DT7 3EB. Lots of stalls, displays, attractions and local youth organisations. Raising money for Lyme Regis Carnival and Regatta. 12.30-4pm
Sidmouth Jazz and Blues Festival
22 – 25th May
World famous headliners include Jools Holland and Macy Gray plus fabulous jazz and blues artists, offer up 4 days of music in Sidmouth. Buy day passes to enjoy your favourite artists and discover new acts.
LYME REGIS FOSSIL FESTIVAL
Saturday 13th & Sunday 14th June 2026
The Lyme Regis Fossil Festival is an annual event for the whole family. The Festival seeks to enthuse young people about science, earth sciences in particular.
Packed full of events for all ages to find out all about the amazing Jurassic Coast. Enjoy walks, talks, theatre, music, comedy, exhibits, incredible interactive activities and lots of hands-on science for all ages. The Fossil Fair offers fun and rare fossils, minerals and jewelry.
Listen to talks and presentations from leading palaeontologists, authors and experts (some events need to be prebooked).
Entry to all exhibition venues is free, with a small charge for walks and talks. There will be lots of street performances from outside the museum, Cobb Gate car park and in the Marine Shelters.
More details at fossilfestival.com
LYME REGIS JAZZ
Jazz Jurassica – Enjoy sweet soul music, gritty blues and jazz throughout the summer in one of the country’s most stunning seaside resorts. With a mix of events there is something for everyone to enjoy throughout the year.
More details and tickets now on sale at www.jazzjurassica.co.uk
Lyme Eats Boutique
Third Friday of the month 15th May, 19th June, 17th July, 21st August.
This popular foodie event is returning to Lyme. Enjoy delicious street food with the backdrop of Lyme Bay from Gun Cliff Walk. 4pm until sunset. Take a blanket, chair or cushion if y0u want to take a seat.
Lyme Regis Busking Festival
27th June 2026
Hosted by B-Sharp, a fantastic Dorset based youth music organisation, local musicians will be out along the esplanade and Marine Shelter to entertain you.
With different B sharp bands and have a go taster sessions this is a great day of free music as well as interactive workshops and street performers. Held along the beautiful beach front in Lyme Regis, musicians are invited to perform for a set time at one of many busk ‘stops’, helping raise funds for the charity.
Uplyme Fete
June 6th 2026
A fun family day with traditional fete attractions. The day includes events such as a Family Dog Show, Live Music, Uplyme Morris Men, Classic cars and bikes, craft stalls and more making this a lovely family day.
Later in the year in August a separate show will be held for locals who compete and show off their skills in gardening, crafts, photography and baking and preserves in the annual Summer Flower and Produce Show. For more details look at their website here.
There are many more fetes and fairs in the area over the summer which you can read about here.
Lyme Regis Sausage and Cider Festival
Saturday 4th July 2026, 2pm – 11pm
Sausages, cider. music and more. The festival will be held at the Davey Fort football ground in Charmouth Road, Lyme Regis, overlooking Lyme Bay. Enjoy great live music.
Tickets £5 adults. £3 children. Tickets lymeregisciderfestival.co.uk
Lyme Morris Day
Saturday 11th July 2026
Marine Parade, Lyme Regis, from 11am
Morris groups from across the South West will be putting on a show of morris dancing. Watch the fun high energy routines to the beat of sticks, drums and accordions.
A great traditional form of entertainment.
Lyme Regis Carnival and Regatta
Saturday 31st July – 8th August 2026
Another week in Lyme Regis crammed with events supporting local organisations. The carnival week starts off with activities on Saturday including sailing club races.
Saturday xx August will be the popular evening torchlight parade through Langmoor Gardens at 9pm. Torches purchased in advance or from 8pm.
Other events include Wacky Wheelbarrow race, Duck Race and carnival parade. Look out for the programme in local shops nearer the time also available online with all the details.
Highlights include family dog show, welly wanging, teddy bears picnic, candles down the river and much more. Enjoy the grand carnival procession on the final Saturday at 8pm.
You are encouraged to buy a programme for details of the events as these help raise much needed funds for the carnival committee which is then shared out to various local causes. Souvenir Programmes available on line, and locally from mid July.
More information about the Carnival on their website and Facebook
Fabulous Fireworks in Lyme Regis
Friday 31st July 2026 at 9.30pm
Possibly one of the best places in the whole country to see fireworks – an amazing display over harbour. Celebrating the end of Life Boat weeks and the start of Carnival and Regatta Week.
Lyme Regis and Charmouth Lifeboat Week
Saturday 15th August – 22nd August 2026
A fantastic week for visitors and locals alike with so much going on for all ages. Please check for all events as may be subject to change.
Events in the week include a fun run, (register at the Lifeboat Station) and annual Bath Tub race, illuminated boats and crab fishing competition. There’s a Grand Duck Race, evening music and Fireworks to close the event.
Check the event guides available to buy locally for details or see the Life Boat Week Programme download here
Spitfire Air Display
Fire Brigade exercise
Paddle boarding
Birds of prey display
Water polo
Fossil Talk
Pavement Art
Crab Fishing
The best idea is to buy a programme for exact details and times of the events. These help raise much needed funds for the RNLI. They are available in various shops in Lyme Regis, Charmouth, Axminster Tourist Info Centre. More information also on the Facebook page.
The Red Arrows in Lyme Regis
16th August 2026 11.30am
Great news, the Red Arrows are set to return to Lyme Regis in 2026.
Save the date for one of the best places in the UK to watch the Red Arrows display over the sea in Lyme Bay.
Don’t forget that the RNLI is an amazing volunteer emergency service that also funds the Life Guards on our beaches and operates solely on donations from the public. Event details are also posted on Facebook on the day the time.
East Devon Heath Week
Saturday 25th July – Friday 31st July 2026
Get involved in a range of activities for Heath Week on Woodbury Common near Exmouth. A selection of organisations will run activities celebrating the heaths throughout the week along side food and information stands.
Ijoin the Pebblebed Heaths Conservation Trust and a wide range of partners for an action-packed week of engaging activities showcasing what makes the East Devon Pebblebed Heaths National Nature Reserve such a special place for wildlife and for people.
Enjoy family orienteering, pond dipping and other events including walks and yoga. Other activities include Family Iron Age Discovery Walk and military fitness sessions.
Pre-booking is required for some events and activities, many are free and some ask for a donation or small charge. For full details of all Heath Week events and event booking, visit www.pebblebedheaths.org.uk/
Honiton Show
Thursday 6th August 2026
A traditional Agricultural Show in the heart of the East Devon Countryside “Where Farming Comes First”.
With farming displays and trade stands, food hall and craft tents alongside exhilarating acts for the Main Ring such as Motocross Stunt Shows, stunt and trick riding team performances and flying displays.
Sidmouth Folk Week
31st July – 7th August 2026
An iconic and nationally supported event in the East Devon calendar, the Sidmouth Folk Festival has grown steadily grown over 70 years!
The festival features established stars and emerging talent; major concerts, lively roots parties; small intimate sessions; ceilidhs and folk dancing; storytelling; fun family entertainment and youth-centred sessions; hands-on workshops and spectacular dance displays; the best in South West crafts and the tastiest of local food and drink.
Beer Regatta
Sat th to Friday th Aug 2026
Beer Regatta is an annual, fun filled week long event, held in the beautiful fishing village of Beer. There’s something for everyone to enjoy. Regatta Day is the Thursday tbc fireworks to finish off the week. Other events include barrel rolling, fancy dress and raft races.
The Beer Regatta Programme with all you need to know about the line up of events for this year will be available in local shops or check online. All proceeds go towards making Beer Regatta even better. More details online as well at beerregatta.co.uk
Sidmouth Regatta and The Red Arrows
Friday 28th – Sunday 31st August 2026
Sidmouth Airshow on the afternoon of Friday 28 August
The Red Arrows, RAF Aerobatic Team and Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Douglas C47 Dakota are confirmed for 2026.
The Saturday sees the Regatta start with races from a variety of clubs and organisations including surf and lifesaving club races, sailing club races and gig club racing, as well as family friendly activities and performances. A spectacular firework display takes place every Saturday night at Port Royal, creating a wonderful carnival atmosphere.
Fundraising raising takes place for the local branch of the RNLI.
Candles on the Cobb
next to be held in 2028
A wonderful bi-annual event that sees thousands of tea lights lit along the Cobb wall all purchased for the charity fundraiser. Watch as the candles are lit by teams of volunteers and become more impressive as the light fades.
Lyme Folk Weekend
Friday 29th – 31st August
A massively popular weekend where main events are usually sold out so book ahead. Enjoy free live folk music, shanty singing, storytelling and ceilidh dancing along the seafront as well as folk and country music to venues throughout Lyme Regis,
Check details on the Folk Weekend website for details of events and also on Facebook. Join the mailing list to be the first to hear about tickets and news for individual events at the Marine Theatre or a 3 day pass.
Holiday and Days Out Inspiration
What a great selection of Lyme Regis and East Devon summer events and days out to look forward to. Find out more things to see and do in Lyme Regis here.
You can also combine these events with a visit to tourist attractions and towns like Seaton or a free day at The Sidmouth Donkey Sanctuary.
Explore Seaton Wetlands, or take a lovely coast path walk followed by a cream tea! There’s so much to do. Make sure you explore the rest of my blog for more ideas.
Why not take a look for some great accessories for your days out from Go Outdoors which have lots of useful gear from lightweight chairs and beach shelters to swim wear and day bags. Click on the advert for a link (affiliate advert).
Please note parking for all the special events in the towns will be difficult and busy. Allow extra time and arrive early for all events. Where provided please make use of the Park and Ride options offered by local councils. Most of all keep your patience and sense of humour and have a great day out and a lovely summer.
Disclaimer – Most of the information in this post already exists elsewhere and I have put it together and to the best of my knowledge it is correct. Please check organiser’s web sites and programmes to confirm details. This post is easily editable so please let me know if there are any mistakes or anything that could be added.
Where seen, links to commercial advertisers sites are called affiliate links whereby I receive a small commission for purchases made at no cost to you.
Hi! I am Clare and I live in glorious East Devon with my family.
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