My home county of South Devon is packed with fantastic events throughout the year, from food festivals and regattas to music events and countryside fairs. If you’re planning a visit and want to bring your four-legged friend along like I do, you’ll be pleased to know that many of these celebrations are dog-friendly! So without further ado, check out my guide to What’s on in South Devon in 2025.
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May Events in South Devon 2025
Salcombe Crabfest
When: 4th May 2025
One of the most anticipated events on the South Devon events calendar, Salcombe Crabfest celebrates the seafood scene around Salcombe. Expect to see cooking demos, listen to live music, and sample plenty local produce. The main event is held outdoors making it the ideal place to explore with your pup.
Brixham Pirate Festival
When: 3rd, 4th, & 5th May 2025
Aye Aye Captain! Get ready for a swashbuckling celebration featuring pirate re-enactments, live entertainment, fancy dress, and plenty of fun for the whole family. Brixham Pirate Festival is located in the quaint town of Brixham on the South Devon coast and its harbourside location means you can bring your four-legged mates along to help you look for treasure.
Dart Music Festival
When: 16th, 17th, & 18th May 2025
Dart Music Festival is a three-day festival in the stunning riverside town of Dartmouth. It showcases a mix of live music in various venues across Dartmouth. What makes this event so special is that many of the performances take place in outdoor spaces, so you can bring your furry friends along to soak up the atmosphere and tunes. Be sure to keep them on their leads though.
Plymouth Pirate Weekend
When: 17th & 18th May 2025
Just like the Brixham Pirate Festival, Plymouth Pirate Weekend offers another fantastic pirate-themed event. Throughout the weekend you can expect to hear many sea shanties drifting on the wind, a broad selection of live performances, and plenty of family-friendly fun in an open-air setting. Bring your pooches along and let them help you sniff out the real pirates from the wannabes.
Kingsbridge Food & Music Festival
When: 30th May to 1st June 2025
When looking at what’s on in South Devon in 2025, the Kingsbridge Food and Music Festival should be on your list of must-see events. This lively event combines street food, local musicians, and a great community atmosphere to give a real taste of what South Devon has to offer. Being located on the town square means dogs can come along too.
English Riviera Air Show (Torbay Air Show)
When: 30th May to 1st June 2025
One of the biggest events on the South Devon calendar, the English Riviera Air Show is not to be missed. I attended this event last year and honestly was completely blown away by the variety of aircrafts, the location, and the atmosphere.
This spectacular event showcases a mix of aircrafts from the Red Arrows and Typhoons to helicopters and waterplanes. Plus there’s plenty of live music, carnival games, food, and more to enjoy. And if you’re dog is as obsessed with aircrafts as you are, then bring them along to enjoy the breathtaking displays.
June Events in South Devon 2025
English Riviera Walking Festival
When: 14th to 22nd June 2025
The English Riviera Walking Festival offers a fantastic opportunity to explore the stunning landscapes of South Devon with over 20 guided walks led by knowledgeable local guides. You’ll be taken along a variety of routes on the South West Coast Path as well as along some woodland trails. No matter your interests, this festival is open to everyone including our four-legged companions. There’s no better way to get out and about this year.
July Events in South Devon 2025
Electric Bay Festival
When: 11th to 13th July 2025
Located at Torre Abbey Meadows in Torquay, the Electric Bay Festival brings a high-energy electronic music experience. The festival hosts top DJs and dance music acts to bring you a fantastic lineup of house, techno, and drum & bass. This year’s headliners include Bloc Party and FatboySlim, with more artists to be announced.
August Events in South Devon 2025
British Firework Championships
When: 13th & 14th August 2025
Plymouth, known as Britain’s Ocean City, plays host to one of the most incredible fireworks displays of the year. This two-day competition sees 6 pyrotechnic teams battle it out to be crowned the ‘British Firework Champion’. Watch as the skies light up over Plymouth Sound. This event can get crowded and is only suitable for dogs that are comfortable around fireworks. The best viewing point is from the Hoe next to Smeaton’s Tower. 1q
Check out the British Firework Championships website for more details.
Dartmouth Royal Regatta
When: 23rd to 30th August 2025
One of South Devon’s biggest events, the Dartmouth Royal Regatta is not to be missed. Its packed programme includes homemade raft races, sailing races and parades, entertainment for the whole family, and a spectacular fireworks display to close the event off. While the fireworks may not be great for dogs, the rest of the event is hosted outside along Dartmouth Harbour so bringing your four-legged friends along is a no-brainer.
September Events in South Devon 2025
Abbfest
When: 18th to 21st September 2025
Devon has a vast and exciting culinary scene, which is why there are plenty of food festivals on the What’s on in South Devon calendar. Abbfest is one of these particular events. Located in Abbotskerswell, it supports local charities and you can expect to find plenty of food and drink stalls as well as live music and entertainment. The whole festival is dog-friendly however they must be kept on a lead and under control. So sit back and enjoy a pint or two with your furry companion by your side.
Dartmoor Walking Festival
When: 29th August to 5th September 2025
Dartmoor is one of my favourite places to explore with Cassie, we both love the open space, the scenery, and of course, the rock climbing to get a better view. So, it’s no surprise really that we’ve included the Dartmoor Walking Festival on our list. With a week of fantastic events, you can embark on guided walks across Dartmoor with your four-legged friends in toe.
Fancy exploring Dartmoor on your own? Check out the blog I wrote on the best places on Dartmoor.
October Events in South Devon 2025
Powderham Food Festival
When: 4th and 5th October 2025
Held on the grounds of Powderham Castle, Powderham Food Festival is a must-visit for food lovers. This two-event features local artisan producers, live cooking demos and tastings, as well as family-friendly entertainment. The festival also highlights sustainable food practices and seasonal ingredients, plus dogs can come along for the ride as you walk around the stalls sampling many tasty treats.
Dartmouth Food Festival
When: 24th to 26th October 2025
Dartmouth Food Festival is a three-day celebration of the South West’s finest food and drink, Located in the picturesque seaside town of Dartmouth, the event features top chefs, local producers, tastings, demonstrations, and lively street markets. This particular event attracts food lovers from across the UK and provides the perfect day out for you and your pooch.
Plan Your Year in South Devon
No matter the season, South Devon is brimming with events that you and your dog can enjoy together. From coastal celebrations to countryside fairs, there’s always something happening. Have you attended any of these events with your dog? Let me know in the comments.