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Summer Events on the English Riviera

Visitors flock to the English Riviera, Devon to enjoy the soft sand and gentle lapping waves at our glorious beaches. But when you want a break from the seaside, you’ll find lots of special events taking place across Torbay. From steam rallies to all the fun of the fair, there’s plenty to suit every taste and help you make some very special memories during your stay. Here’s our pick of some of the must-do events during the summer holidays.

Nautical summer holiday events

With the glorious blue sea stretching across the Bay it’s little wonder that boats of all shapes and sizes take centre stage during the summer months. Torbay’s famous Royal Regatta offers plenty for seadogs and landlubbers alike. Watch the high-energy rowing races from Torquay’s seafront or enjoy a water ski display. After a day viewing the sailing, it’s time to turn your gaze skywards for the spectacular firework display that lights up the summer night sky.

As well as sailing boats bobbing past on the summer’s breeze, Torquay also welcomes the high-octane thrills of offshore powerboat racing to its coast.

If you’re visiting Torbay at the end of August, a day trip to the Dartmouth Royal Regatta is a must. From crabbing competitions to picking up something special in the Shopping Village, there are lots of things going on to tempt all ages. You can climb aboard a naval ship moored in the river, take part in the fancy dress competitions, hook a duck at the funfair, relax with an ice cream listening to live music and enjoy the fabulous firework display on the Friday night.

Summer holiday fun at Children’s week in Paignton

Paignton has long been a family-favourite destination, and for a week in the middle of August you’ll find even more going on to keep the kids happy. Children’s Week takes place on The Green by Paignton’s seafront. It is a week of activities aimed at children of all ages, from storytelling to traditional fairground rides like the splendid carousel. Your little one can have their face painted, watch a performance, or have a go at a new craft. And to make things even better, many of the activities are completely free.

Musical maestros and perfect performances

Make the most of the balmy summer evenings in the English Riviera by enjoying some open-air theatre or a music concert. You’ll find live performances taking place during the summer months at Greenway and Coleton Fishacre as well as Cockington Court and Torre Abbey in Torquay.

If you’re looking for some musical entertainment, head inland a couple of miles to the splendid Dartington Hall. Every August, Dartington hosts a Summer School and Festival, with a packed programme of events from internationally acclaimed artists. From Mozart to the rhythms of Latin America, it offers four weeks of musical treats with performances held throughout the day and evening.

Steam up for a fun day out for the family

The first weekend in August sees literally hundreds of vintage lorries, tractors and cars motoring their way to the Torbay Steam Fair. This three-day event is one of the biggest on the calendar, and you’ll find lots to keep all the family entertained. As well as the steam traction engines, there’s a craft tent and stalls for some shopping and children’s activities to keep the little ones entertained. And of course you can expect plenty of delicious local food and drink on sale to enjoy too.

There’s so much going on during the summer holidays in Torbay, so make sure you take a look through all our listings. They’re regularly updated, so come back again to see what’s new.

International Agatha Christie Festival

Every September, the English Riviera in Devon becomes a crime scene worth some serious investigation, as we celebrate the birthday of our most famous literary daughter. Each year you can expect a series of events coinciding with her birthday on 15 September with more fun and literary events than you can shake a smoking gun at.

Full details of the Festival programme and fringe events are available by carrying out a search on our What's On diary here and the festival programme can be viewed here. Subscribe to Festival News on the Festival website, www.iacf-uk.org or follow the Festival on Twitter and Facebook (@AgathaFestival).

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Dates

From:

3 Sept 2026to5 Sept 2026

Burn It Down Festival

Address

Various venues, Torquay, Devon, TQ1 1ED

info@boneyardpromo.co.uk

Price
Price £15.00 to £25.00 Per Ticket

Torquay

Dates

From:

3 Sept 2026to5 Sept 2026

Burn It Down Festival returns to Torquay from 3-5 September 2026.
Now firmly established as the South West's largest indoor alternative music festival, Burn It Down has grown since its launch in 2018 into a key fixture on the UK alt-music calendar…

Type

Type:

Music

Price
Price £15.00 to £25.00 Per Ticket

More Details

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Web Site
Dates

From:

3 Apr 2026to1 Nov 2026

Age of the Dinosaurs Exhibition

Address

Kents Cavern Prehistoric Caves, Torquay, Devon, TQ1 2JF

Telephone
01803 215136

caves@kents-cavern.co.uk

Torquay

Dates

From:

3 Apr 2026to1 Nov 2026

Travel back millions of years and uncover the secrets of the prehistoric world at The Age of the Dinosaurs.
Running from 1st April to 31st October, this exciting exhibition transforms Kents Cavern into a journey through deep time, where visitors…

Type

Type:

Exhibition

More Details

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Web Site
Dates

From:

31 July 2026to2 Aug 2026

Torbay Steam Fair

Address

Dartmouth Road, Churston Ferrers, Brixham, Devon, TQ5 0JT

Telephone
01803 853989

showmanager@torbaysteamfair.co.uk

Brixham

Dates

From:

31 July 2026to2 Aug 2026

Torbay Steam Fair in South Devon provides three days of attractions for the whole family and has grown to become one of the biggest in the area. While principally a Steam Fair, the gathering has expanded its attractions to its vintage brothers and…

Type

Type:

Car & Motor Vehicles

More Details

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Web Site
Dates

From:

6 Mar 2026to5 Sept 2026

Art on Your Doorstep at Torre Abbey

Address

The King's Drive, Torquay, Devon, TQ2 5JE

Torquay

Dates

From:

6 Mar 2026to5 Sept 2026

Art on Your Doorstep: National Gallery Masterpieces Coming to Torquay
Torre Abbey is proud to announce its participation in The National Gallery: Art on Your Doorstep, a new national touring project bringing iconic artworks from the National…

Type

Type:

Historical

More Details

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Web Site
Dates

From:

18 Aug 2026to22 Aug 2026

Children's Week

Address

Paignton Green, Paignton, TQ4 6BG

Telephone
07710 586104

matthewdart73@gmail.com

Paignton

Dates

From:

18 Aug 2026to22 Aug 2026

5 Days of free children's entertainment on Paignton Green. Including Craft activities, Mascots, Sandcastle competitions and a full day of Sci Fi characters and movie cars.
Pay us a visit and enjoy the craft workshops, cookery kitchen, daily stage…

Type

Type:

Children's

More Details

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Web Site
Dates

From:

21 Aug 2026to24 Aug 2026

Torbay Royal Regatta

Address

Royal Torbay Yacht Club, Beacon Terrace, Torquay, Devon, TQ1 2BH

Telephone
01803 292006

admin@royaltorbayyc.org.uk

Torquay

Dates

From:

21 Aug 2026to24 Aug 2026

The Torbay Royal Regatta will be taking place between August 21st -24th The event is open to IRC yachts with the IRC South West Championship an integral part of the event, Cruisers, Sportsboats and SB20’s, and three National Championships. Interest…

Type

Type:

Maritime

More Details

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Web Site
Dates

From:

23 July 2026to2 Aug 2026

From:
26 July 2026
From:
29 July 2026
Paignton Festival

Address

Paignton Green and other locations, Paignton, Devon, TQ4 6BN

Telephone
01803 900108

carnival@paignton-festival.com

Paignton

Dates

From:

23 July 2026to2 Aug 2026

From:
26 July 2026
From:
29 July 2026

Paignton Festival is run by a small team of dedicated volunteers, who rely solely off donations from the public and local businesses and traders. Without financial support from them they would be unable to put on this successful event every year.

Type

Type:

Community
Accessibility

Accessible to Wheelchair Users
More Details

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Web Site
Dates

From:

9 July 2026to30 July 2026Various Opening Times

Agatha Christie's Towards Zero

Address

Palace Theatre, Palace Avenue, Paignton, Devon, TQ3 3HF

Telephone
01803 665800

info@palacetheatrepaignton.co.uk

Paignton

Dates

From:

9 July 2026to30 July 2026Various Opening Times

A Dramatic Agatha Christie Experience on the English Riviera in 2026
Agatha Christie fans should head to the English Riviera’s Palace Theatre in 2026 where an adaptation of one of Christie’s finest murder mystery novels will be staged.
Towards Zero…

Type

Type:

Murder Mystery

More Details

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Web Site
Dates

From:
3 Sept 2026

Visit of the Waverley Paddle Steamer

Address

Tor Bay, Torquay, Devon, TQ2 5SW

Telephone
0141 243 2224

Torquay

Dates

From:
3 Sept 2026

Waverley is truly unique, she is the World’s last seagoing paddle steamer and was famously gifted to the Paddle Steamer Preservation Society (PSPS) for £1 in 1974. Since 1975 Waverley has been operated on a not-for-profit basis to keep alive the…

Type

Type:

Maritime

More Details

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Web Site

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Summer Events on the English Riviera

Nautical summer holiday events

Summer holiday fun at Children’s week in Paignton

Musical maestros and perfect performances

Steam up for a fun day out for the family

International Agatha Christie Festival

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