Local Events ~ Devon Dorset Somerset

Sidmouth Science Festival

The Sidmouth Science Festival runs every year in October with range of events, talks and activities throughout the week including a number of events around Sidmouth and at the Norman Lockyear Observatory.  Learn about robots, fossils, dinosaurs, stars, energy, light, weather, boats, rockets and much more.

For a full listing head to The Sidmouth Science Festival Website

Super Science Saturday  – Family Events and Activities across the town,  details on the website and facebook

Sidmouth Lifeboat station
Kennaway House (EX10 8NG) 11:00 –to 17:00
The Esplanade Sidmouth
All Saints Church
Parish Church Sidmouth EX10 8LG
Methodist Church Main Hall

Fun science and Technology activities for the whole family

Michaelmas Fair at Powderham Castle

The Michaelmas Fair in aid of ABF The Soldiers’ Charity is back for 2026 on Thursday 5th November

Head along for some early Christmas shopping in the beautiful setting of Powderham Castle.

There will be many stalls inside the castle and in the courtyard selling a wide array of things not found on the High Street from jewelry, Christmas Puddings, candles, gifts, Christmas cards, homewares, Spirits, clothing etc.

Fair is open 10am-3pm.

Tickets  price tbc £3.50 in advance are available click the link below. Tickets are £5 on the door.

This beautiful castle on overlooking the River Exe is home to the Earl of Devon.

Powderham Castle also has a Christmas lights display and Santa’s grotto starting. More HERE

Exeter Christmas Market

With the backdrop of the city’s stunning cathedral, there aren’t many places prettier places to hold a Christmas market than the Exeter Cathedral Green.

Stalls will be laid out in little cabins across the Cathedral Green showcase the best of local and continental Christmas crafts, gifts and tasty foodie treats.

Perfect for browsing for Christmas presents or grabbing a delicious bite to eat after shopping  – the churros are great!

Open from 10am 13th  November until 13th December, 2026

Friday 13th November 2026 – Sunday 13th December 2026
Monday – Wednesday: 10am – 7pm
Thursday – Saturday: 10am – 9pm
Sunday: 11am – 5pm

Monks Yard Christmas Market

Monks Yard Christmas Craft Fair is an annual artisan and vintage fair for charity event that has become a firm favourite in the run up to Christmas. It is a festive treasure trove for those seeking unique and unusual items with over 40 stall holders being held over 2 days.

Monks Yard, Horton, Nr Chard, TA19 9PY   monksyard.co.uk/

Contact Nest and Nettle for more details.

Buckfast Abbey Christmas Market

Abbey Farm Christmas Fair 2026

A lovely market in the tithe barn at Abbey Farm in Abbotsbury set over 2 days.

Stall holders range from local artists and makers, to award winning designers, jewellery, furniture, hand made cards, paintings, woodwork…. Christmas gifting at its finest.

There will be plenty of hot food and drink supplied by Cherries, a bar and various other local producers.

Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th November.

11-4pm

For details abbeyfarmabbotsbury.co.uk/

Exeter Christmas Market

With the backdrop of the city’s stunning cathedral, there aren’t many places prettier places to hold a Christmas market than the Exeter Cathedral Green.

Stalls will be laid out in little cabins across the Cathedral Green showcase the best of local and continental Christmas crafts, gifts and tasty foodie treats.

Perfect for browsing for Christmas presents or grabbing a delicious bite to eat after shopping  – the churros are great!

Open from 10am 13th  November until 13th December, 2026

Friday 13th November 2026 – Sunday 13th December 2026
Monday – Wednesday: 10am – 7pm
Thursday – Saturday: 10am – 9pm
Sunday: 11am – 5pm

Bicton Gardens Christmas Craft Fair

A festive-themed evening at Bicton with FREE ENTRY for both annual pass holders and non pass holders.

Get into the Christmas spirit with a complimentary glass of cheer and a mince pie (while stocks last) as you explore over 25 local craft stalls and the lovely gift shop, browse a huge range of festive gifts, perfect for ticking off your Christmas shopping list.

You can also view an extensive display of working vintage Lister petrol and diesel engines, historically used in agriculture and industry for more than a century.

Enjoy the festive sound of the Budleigh Salterton Male Voice Choir singing Christmas carols, and don’t miss the special Christmas light display in the garden centre, accompanied by the gentle chug of the Lister engines.

This is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the season, while shopping locally and sustainably, and enjoying some festive cheer!

More details CLICK HERE

Carols By Candlelight at The Donkey Sanctuary

A special evening of carol singing by candlelight alongside the resident donkeys at The Donkey Sanctuary.

The Donkey Sanctuary’s Carols by Candlelight service returns as a live event at its international headquarters in Sidmouth, Devon.

Thousands of candles will illuminate the heart of the Sidmouth sanctuary, creating a truly magical festive atmosphere for the hour-long service which commences at 6pm. Candles lit from from 3pm

The event includes traditional Christmas Carols, Christmas readings, and performances by The Donkey Sanctuary choir, all surrounded by the sanctuary’s resident donkeys.

The onsite restaurant The Kitchen will be open throughout providing hot food and drinks, and The Gift Shop will also be open, providing the perfect excuse to do some Christmas shopping.

For those who are unable to visit the sanctuary in person, people will be able to watch the service from the comfort of their own homes, as the event will be also broadcast live online via the award-winning ‘Sanctuary From Your Sofa’ on The Donkey Sanctuary’s website.

Tickets for Carols by Candlelight are now available for booking, and cost £5 per vehicle. There is no limit on the number of people per vehicle.

To ensure that visitors can arrive and depart safely on the evening, only the main visitor car park will be open, which limits the number of vehicles that can be accommodated to 100.

Please note, the sanctuary will close at 4pm, with the car park reopening at 5pm, for the event to begin at 6pm.

For more information, and how to book your ticket, please visit:

https://www.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk/events

Symondsbury Estate Christmas Market

Symondsbury Estate Christmas Market held over 2 days Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th 2026

Enjoy this festive weekend filled with beautifully curated stalls, seasonal food and drink, live music, family activities, and plenty of Christmas cheer in the unique surroundings of Symondsbury.

A handpicked selection of local artisans and makers inside the Tithe Barn and Manor Yard – perfect for finding beautiful, meaningful gifts.

Live performances and familiy activities

Delicious food, mulled cider, and festive treats

Santa’s Grotto

More tastings and festive shopping in Manor Yard

Symondsbury Kitchen providing refreshments throughout the day

Free entry, parking £tbc, dogs welcome.

http://www.symondsburyestate.co.uk

Hawkchurch Christmas Tree Festival

Christmas Tree Festivals held all over the country and this is one of our favourite local ones in East Devon.

ST JOHN THE BAPTIST CHURCH HAWKCHURCH

Open daily 18th Dec  12 noon – 6pm until Christmas Eve  – note on 24th there is a family friendly Crib Service at 4pm with the trees still in situ.

Fantastic display with many inventive ideas, vote for your favourite. The festival there has become very popular both in the number of entries and visitors. So popular in fact that BBC Spotlight came to film it!  It might not be the largest festival locally,  but for a small village it’s lovely.

You might see  “trees”  made of drain pipes, horseshoes, electrical cable and wood.  Each year one of the most popular trees in Hawkchurch is one made of sweet wrappers (the visitors get to eat the Quality Street before sticking on the wrappers on the tree)! There is also a lovely memory tree where you can add your own personalised memory star.

Please note that most Festivals ask for a small contribution or donation of some sort to look at the trees as the Churches are always raising money for repairs or local charities.

There are many more around the area so check your local press and church notice boards for more information.