Hello! Bank holiday weekend and the last of the summer holidays, so it goes out with a bang: a new free music festival in the city centre, two regattas, and a magic festival at Dartington. Here's the pick of it.
This Weekend's Pick
Guildhall LIVE, Exeter city centre, Sat 29 to Mon 31 Aug
The Guildhall Shopping Centre turns 50 this year and is throwing a free three-day music festival in Market Square to celebrate, with six live shows a day from 11:00 to 16:30.
Sunday is the one to aim for with kids: the line-up is built around family tributes, including KPop Demon Hunters, Taylor Swift and princess performances, with competitions and giveaways between sets.
No booking, no tickets, just wander in. Free.
| When: | Sat 29 to Mon 31 Aug, 11:00 to 16:30 daily |
| Where: | Market Square, Guildhall Shopping Centre, Exeter EX4 3HP |
| Cost: | Free, no booking needed |
More Good Stuff
Sidmouth Regatta, Sat 29 and Sun 30 Aug
Sidmouth's biggest weekend of the year, and it's free to watch. Saturday is the day to go: sailing and surf lifesaving displays, a family treasure hunt, tug of war and a fancy dress raft race through the day, with the town fireworks over the seafront after dark.
The Red Arrows open the weekend on Friday afternoon if you fancy an early start. Parking fills quickly, so get there before the crowds. About 35 minutes from Exeter.
| When: | Sat 29 and Sun 30 Aug, events through the day; fireworks Saturday evening |
| Where: | Sidmouth seafront, EX10 8BB (about 35 minutes) |
| Cost: | Free to watch |
Fantastical Magic Festival, Dartington Hall, Sat 29 to Mon 31 Aug (worth the drive)
A new one, and it looks lovely: five enchanted realms across the Dartington gardens, with a daily costume parade, a potion and spellmaking academy, owl flying displays, bubble shows and roaming stilt walkers. Kids are encouraged to come dressed as wizards, fairies or knights.
£12 adults, £10 children (4 to 16), under-3s free, or £30 for a family of four, plus small booking fees. Book ahead. About 40 minutes towards Totnes.
| When: | Sat 29 to Mon 31 Aug, from 10:00 |
| Where: | Dartington Hall, Totnes TQ9 6EE (about 40 minutes) |
| Cost: | £12 adults, £10 children 4 to 16, under-3s free, family of four £30, plus booking fees |
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Shaldon Regatta, Sat 29 and Sun 30 Aug
The 209th year of Shaldon Regatta, and the final weekend is the family one. Saturday has sandcastle competitions at 11:00 (prizes for everyone) and beach sports from 14:00, with sack races, egg and spoon and a parents' race.
Sunday afternoon brings the Great Duck Race at 3:45pm (£2 a duck) and tug of war at 18:00. All free to watch and cheap to join in.
About 35 minutes by car, or it's an easy one by train: hop off at Teignmouth and it's a short walk over the bridge or the little ferry across to Shaldon.
| When: | Sat 29 (sandcastles 11:00, beach sports 14:00) and Sun 30 (Duck Race 3:45pm, tug of war 18:00) |
| Where: | Shaldon beach, TQ14 (about 35 minutes, or train to Teignmouth) |
| Cost: | Free to watch, small entry fees to join in |
One free thing
Topsham Charter Day, Sun 30 Aug
Topsham closes its Town Fayre fortnight with a medieval-themed Charter Day. Fancy dress competition at 13:00 at Matthews Hall, then a parade down Fore Street to St Margaret's Church Green for traditional children's games through the afternoon, and a free ceilidh on the Quay from 17:00.
Pair it with the Goat Walk and an ice cream and that's a Sunday sorted. Free, 15 minutes away, or take the Avocet Line.
| When: | Sun 30 Aug, from 13:00; ceilidh on the Quay 17:00 |
| Where: | Matthews Hall, Fore Street and the Quay, Topsham (15 minutes, or the Avocet Line) |
| Cost: | Free |
That's everything worth knowing about for this weekend. If you go to anything and it's either brilliant or a disaster, hit reply and say so. It comes straight to the inbox. Have a good one.
Details change. Check each venue's website before setting off, especially for timed entry or one-off events.
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