Torbay Events, Things to Do and Festivals 2014 / 2015

(Brixham / Paignton / Torquay - Torbay, Devon, England, UK)

The annual calendar of events organised by the towns that make up Torbay ensure that there are plenty of things to do during a summer holiday. Ranging from theatrical shows and maritime tall ships festivals, to open-air concerts, sailing regattas and carnival parades, Torbay works hard to provide entertainment for visitors.

The 'Herald Express' is Torbay's local newspaper and always lists the latest events taking place in the area. Each year in August, the regatta week is a particular favourite and includes a funfair at Paignton Green, sailing races, live music and an air-sea rescue demonstration, culminating in a spectacular harbourfront fireworks display. Also at this time is the Paignton Children's Festival, which includes fossil and treasure hunts, wildlife exhibitions, family discos, water fights and sand castle competitions.

Torbay Calendar of Festivals and Events 2014 / 2015: General Information

Every Wednesday evening on the Paignton seafront is Bike Night, where crowds of bikers gather to display their motorcycles and socialise. At the end of May, the Brixham Festival takes place and sees angling and crab-catching contests, jazz music, ghost walks, pub quizzes, Morris dancing and performances by the Town Band, the English Riviera Singers and also the acclaimed Brixham Orpheus Male Voice Choir. Soon after in June, Cockington Court plays host to its very own version of the Last Night of the Proms.

The Torbay Carnival Week arrives at the end of July, with week-long events such as a procession of town criers and floats, a teddy bears' picnic, gymnastics displays, live music, Punch and Judy performances, and the Old Wheels Club Car Show. Many visitors come to Torbay each September to join in the fun and activities at the week-long Agatha Christie Festival, which celebrates this famous author's connections to Torquay and includes writing workshops, film screenings, headsets for walking tours, a trail for cars, and much associated merchandise.

• Easter Hockey Festival - mid-April at nearby Teignmouth and Dawlish, as well as Torbay
• BMAD (Bikers Make a Difference) Bike Festival - late April to early May, at Paignton Green
• Try a Boat Weekend - early May, at Beacon Quay in Torquay
• Brixham Heritage Race - late May, between Brixham Harbour and Tor Bay
• Brixham Heritage Festival - late May to early June, around Brixham Harbour
• Brixham Art and Craft Market - late May to early June, at Brixham Harbour and Quayside
• Paignton Bike Nights - late May to September, every Wednesday evening on the Paignton Esplanade
• D-Day Commemoration Events - June 6th, at Beacon Quay in Torquay
• Garden Open Evenings - early June to early July, at Paignton Zoo
• Race for Life - mid-June, a charity event for Cancer Research at Clennon Valley in Paignton
• Brixham Trawler Race - mid-June, based at Brixham Harbour
• English Riviera Bowls Tournament - mid-June, at various venues around Torbay
• Babbacombe Fayre - mid-June, at the Babbacombe Downs in Torquay
• Torbay Half Marathon and Fun Run - late June, from Paignton Green to Torquay Pavilion
• Brixham Art and Craft Market - late June to early September, at Brixham Harbour and Quayside
• Torbay Wildlife Fayre - early July, at Paignton Green
• Kick Start Club Motor Rally - early July, at the Paignton North Promenade
• Festival of the Sea - early July, at All Saints Church in Brixham
• Paignton Youth Fayre - mid-July, at the Paignton Middle Green
• Brixham Hap'nin (Party in the Park) - mid-July, St. Mary's Park, Brixham
• Babbacombe Corinthian Sailing Club Regatta - mid-July, at Babbacombe Bay in Torquay
• Torbay Carnival Ball - late July, at the Oldway Mansion in Paignton
• Torbay Carnival Week - late July, in both Paignton and Torquay, lasting an entire week
• Riviera Classic Car Show - late July, at Paignton Green
• Torbay Carnival Week - late July, in both Paignton and Torquay, lasting an entire week
• Marldon Apple Pie Fair - late July, at the village of Marldon
• RNLI Open Day - late July, at Brixham Harbour
• Family Summer Party - late July, at Paignton Zoo
• Cockington Fair - early August, at Cockington Court
• Family Treasure Hunt - early August, at the Berry Head Nature Reserve
• Torbay Steam Fair - early August, at the Market Field in the village of Churston
• Anderton and Rowland Fair - mid-August, at Paignton North Green
• Torbay Open Tennis Tournament - mid-August, at various venues
• Paignton Regatta - mid-August, centred around Paignton Green and including fireworks
• Brixham Regatta - mid-August, at Brixham Harbour
• Torbay Royal Regatta - mid-August, at Hollicombe in the Torquay area
• Paignton Lions Fete - mid-August, at the Paignton Middle Green
• Children's Festival - mid-August, based in Paignton
• 10K Race - late August, starting at the Princess Gardens in Torquay
• Albacore National Championships - late August, hosted by the Royal Torbay Yacht Club
• Torbay Borough Sea Angling Festival - early September, at Tor Bay
• Michelmore Cup - early September, hosted by the Brixham Yacht Club
• River Stars Grand Final - early September, at the Riviera International Centre
• Agatha Christie Week - mid-September, based in Torquay
• Summer Mini Regatta - mid-September, hosted by the Royal Torbay Yacht Club
• English Riviera International Comedy Festival - late September, at venues throughout Torbay
• Apple Day Festival - mid-October, at Cockington Court
• Torbay Poetry Festival - mid-October, at various venues in Torquay
• Animal Week - late October, at Paignton Zoo
• Winter Wonderland - mid-November to early January, at the Babbacombe Model Village
• Christmas Carnival - early December, passing by the harbourfront
• Mistletoe Ball - early December, at Torquay's imperial Hotel
• Christmas at Cockington - early December, at Cockington Court
• Civil Carol Concert - mid-December, at the Riviera International Centre