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Free Events

We know that holidays can be expensive and planning your days can be hard when trying to decide where to go, but you might be surprised to learn that there are some great days out in South Devon that won’t cost a penny. Besides having an array of beaches and places to explore during your stay, it is also worth having a look to see what free events are taking place whilst you are holidaying in the area.

Throughout the year many of the cities, towns and villages in South Devon host a wide range of events for everybody to enjoy. From music festivals and carnivals to regattas and food festivals, lots of the events are free to attend and are held within the towns themselves.

Lots of the towns and villages have weekly and monthly markets for you to browse all year round. Many regattas and carnivals take place during the summer months, which often include plenty of activities for children to get involved in as well as live music and entertainment for the adults.

If you're visiting around the festive season there is always a magical collection of carol services and parades taking place to help you get into the seasonal spirit. Early winter is also a wonderful time of the year to visit South Devon as there are plenty of Christmas markets festivities, and light switch-on events going on in nearly all of the local areas.

During school holidays you will often find many locations such as nature reserves lay on extra activities for children including trails and wildlife spotting. Some galleries and museums in South Devon are free to enter too and hold different exhibitions and displays throughout the year.

Have a look through the below list of amazing events taking place in South Devon which are all free to attend.

Looking for extra things to keep the whole family entertained? Check out our great list of 50 free things to do.

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Number of results: 21

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Ivybridge Artisan Market

Address

Erme Court, Leonards Road, Ivybridge, Devon, PL21 0SZ

Telephone
01752 892220

ivybridgeartisanmarket@gmail.com

Ivybridge

Situated upstairs within The Watermark everything on sale is produced within the local area. You will find home produced food. Seasonal garden grown goods. Locally created arts and crafts .
The market is held on the 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month…

Dates

From:

7 Feb 2026to6 Feb 2027Various Opening Times

More Details
Insects Uncovered: Biodiversity in Newton Abbot Exhibition

Address

43 Wolborough Street, Newton Abbot, Devon, TQ12 1JQ

Telephone
01626 201121

veronika@newtonabbot-tc.gov.uk

Newton Abbot

Our amazing butterflies and moths are taking flight in a brand new exhibition: Insects Uncovered: Biodiversity in Newton Abbot!
Dates: 17 March 2026 - March 2027
Location: Newton Abbot Museum
Free! No booking required
A Family Trail Available -…

Dates

From:

17 Mar 2026to1 Mar 2027Various Opening Times

More Details
Mosaic Exhibition – Picking Up The Pieces

Address

House of Marbles, The Old Pottery, Pottery Road, Bovey Tracey, Devon, TQ13 9DS

Telephone
01626835285

enquiries@houseofmarbles.com

Pottery Road, Bovey Tracey

From July to December, House of Marbles is proud to host a stunning mosaic art exhibition in collaboration with the South West Mosaic Artists. This special six-month exhibition celebrates the creativity, craftsmanship and individuality behind…

Dates

From:

1 July 2026to1 Dec 2026Open 09:00 - 17:00

More Details
Yasmin David: The Nature of Light

Address

Thelma Hulbert Gallery, Dowell St, Honiton, Devon, EX14 1LX

Telephone
01404 45006

info@thelmahulbert.com

Honiton

Solo exhibition by post-war British landscape painter Yasmin David (1939- 2009).
Yasmin lived and worked in South Devon for over fifty years. Her work explores the particular light and landscape near her home on the edge of Dartmoor. One of the few…

Dates

From:

12 Sept 2026to31 Oct 2026Various Opening Times

More Details
Moor to Sea Exhibition

Address

The Brownston Gallery, 36 Church Street, Modbury, Devon, PL21 0QR

Telephone
01548 831338

art@brownstonart.com

Modbury

The Brownston Gallery is proud to present Moor to Sea, a mixed exhibition featuring work by a collection of talented artists.
Dartmoor is the main focus of the exhibition – a beautiful, wild and diverse landscape that provides endless inspiration,…

Dates

From:

16 Oct 2026to19 Dec 2026Open 11:00 - 16:00

More Details
Exmouth Gate to Plate

Address

The Strand, Dawlish, Exmouth, Devon, EX8 1HL

Telephone
08002465200

eatfestivals@gmail.com

Exmouth

Exmouth Gate to Plate food festival Sunday 25 October from 10-4pm on The Strand. Join us for a delicious day out celebrating and showcasing the amazing local food growers, producers and creatives from the surrounding area, mostly based within 30…

Dates

From:
25 Oct 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00

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Talk: A Deep Dive Beneath the Skirts of a Wealthy Tudor Lady and her Servant

Address

Newton Abbot Museum, 43 Wolborough Street, Newton Abbot, Devon, TQ12 1JQ

Telephone
01626 201121

groups@newtonabbot-tc.gov.uk

Newton Abbot

Talk: A Deep Dive Beneath the Skirts of a Wealthy Tudor Lady and her Servant by Rosemary Griggs
Wednesday 28 October @ 11 am - 1 pm
FREE talk but booking is essential: BOOK TICKETS
Discover what Tudor fashions can tell us about how people lived…

Dates

From:
28 Oct 2026Open 11:00 - 13:00

More Details
Light Trail

Address

St Paul's, Locarno Avenue, Preston, Paignton, Devon, TQ3 2DH

Preston, Paignton

See St. Paul's in a whole new light! ✨
Explore St Paul's this autumn weekend and discover something to enjoy around every corner!
Light Trail
Live music
Pumpkin carving
Crafts
Face painting
Photo booth
Zumba
Silent disco
Drumming
Food and…

Dates

From:

30 Oct 2026to1 Nov 2026Open 16:00 - 20:00

More Details
Green Shoes Book Talk

Address

MAKE Southwest, Riverside Mill, Fore Street, Bovey Tracey, Devon, TQ13 9AF

Telephone
01626 832223

hello@makesouthwest.org.uk

Bovey Tracey

Green Shoes: Forty years of a radical women's craft collective
Join us at MAKE Southwest for a Green Shoes book launch event - Alison will be interviewed by our very own Exhibitions Manager (and ex-Green Shoes employee), Flora Pearson. There will…

Dates

From:
30 Oct 2026Open 18:00 - 19:30

More Details
Light Trail

Address

St Paul's, Locarno Avenue, Preston, Paignton, Devon, TQ3 2DH

Preston, Paignton

See St. Paul's in a whole new light! ✨
Explore St Paul's this autumn weekend and discover something to enjoy around every corner!
Light Trail
Live music
Pumpkin carving
Crafts
Face painting
Photo booth
Zumba
Silent disco
Drumming
Food and…

Dates

From:

30 Oct 2026to1 Nov 2026Open 16:00 - 20:00

More Details
Butchers Hall Youth Market

Address

Butchers Hall, Tavistock, Devon, PL19 0AL

Telephone
01822 617232

butchershall@tavistock.gov.uk

Tavistock

Come along and celebrate young traders and entrepreneurs

Dates

From:
31 Oct 2026Open 09:00 - 16:30

More Details
Kingsbridge Antique Fair

Address

Market Hall, Fore Street, Kingsbridge, Devon, TQ7 1PG

Telephone
07931209907

briantrapp786@gmail.com

Kingsbridge

Antiques, vintage, Collectables, Art & original illustrations, Silver & jewellery. 28 tables indoors with plenty of local shops and further antique stores. Great town to visit at the top of the Salcombe Estuary. Free admission and dogs most welcome…

Dates

From:

3 Nov 2026to6 Nov 2026Open 09:00 - 16:30

More Details
Bonfire Night

Address

The Hoe, Plymouth, Devon, PL1 2PA

events@plymouth.gov.uk

Plymouth

Get ready for an unforgettable night of fun and fireworks as Plymouth Hoe comes alive on Wednesday 5 November for Bonfire Night!

Dates

From:
5 Nov 2026Open 16:00 - 22:00

More Details
Tavistock Arts Market

Address

Butchers Hall, Tavistock, Devon, PL19 0AL

Telephone
01822 617232

taviartsmarket@tavistock.gov.uk

Tavistock

A vibrant market featuring a variety of talented local artists, designers and makers.

Dates

From:

6 Nov 2026to7 Nov 2026Various Opening Times

From:
5 Dec 2026Open 09:00 - 16:30

More Details
Christmas Lights Switch On

Address

Courtenay Street, Newton Abbot, Newton Abbot, Devon, TQ122DT

Telephone
01626201120

Kelly.Burridge@newtonabbot-tc.gov.uk

Newton Abbot

Christmas lights switch on. Daytime entertainment followed by the switch on of the lights at 5pm

Dates

From:
21 Nov 2026Open 12:00 - 18:00

More Details
Crux Craft Fair

Address

Rattery Village Hall, Rattery, South Brent, Devon, TQ10 9LD

cruxcraftfair@gmail.com

South Brent

Crux Craft Fair is an annual friendly Christmas craft market offering beautiful and unique crafts handmade by local Devon designers. Taking place in Rattery Village Hall from Friday 27 – Sunday 29 November, the fair is firmly established as the…

Dates

From:

27 Nov 2026to29 Nov 2026Various Opening Times

More Details
Dartington Christmas Makers Fayre

Address

Dartington Hall, Dartington, Totnes, Devon, TQ9 6EE

jo@missivyevents.co.uk

Totnes

Dartington Christmas Makers Fayre is back this December!
Join us at the beautiful Dartington Hall from Friday 4th - Sunday 6th December for a festive weekend filled with independent shopping, local creativity and Christmas cheer ✨
Browse…

Dates

From:
4 Dec 2026Open 15:00 - 18:00
From:
5 Dec 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00
From:
6 Dec 2026Open 10:00 - 16:00

More Details
Butchers Hall Dickensian Market

Address

Butchers Hall, Tavistock, Devon, PL19 0AL

Telephone
01822 617232

butchershall@tavistock.gov.uk

Tavistock

Butchers Hall is open alongside Tavistock Dickensian Evening, a great place to get into the Christmas Spirit!

Dates

From:
4 Dec 2026Open 09:00 - 21:00

More Details
The Dog Friendly Christmas Carol Service

Address

Wolborough Street, Newton Abbot, Newton Abbot, Devon, TQ121LG

Telephone
01626201120

Kelly.Burridge@newtonabbot-tc.gov.uk

Newton Abbot

Doggie carol service

Dates

From:
5 Dec 2026Open 12:00 - 13:00

More Details
Totnes Christmas Markets and Late Night Shopping

Address

Totnes High Street, Totnes, Devon, TQ9 5DX

jo@missivyevents.co.uk

Totnes

Join us for three fabulously festive Tuesdays in Totnes on Tuesday 8th, 15th and 22nd December.
Late Night Shopping & Christmas Market: 3pm – 9pm
Totnes will be sparkling with festive cheer this December, with three evenings of late-night shopping,…

Dates

From:
8 Dec 2026Open 15:00 - 21:00
From:
15 Dec 2026Open 15:00 - 21:00
From:
22 Dec 2026Open 15:00 - 21:00

More Details
Butchers Hall Christmas Markets

Address

Butchers Hall, Tavistock, Devon, PL19 0AL

Telephone
01822 617232

butchershall@tavistock.gov.uk

Tavistock

Butchers Hall Christmas Markets offers a wide variety of talented local artisan traders, the perfect place to find something special for someone special!

Dates

From:

11 Dec 2026to23 Dec 2026Various Opening Times

More Details

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