| LittleWeekend is supported by Stage by Stage |
Hello! Bonfire Night falls on a Thursday this year, so the big displays have all landed on Saturday, with 300 drones over Westpoint and a huge bonfire by the canal, plus a new donkey trail, very silly kids' comedy and one last free pumpkin hunt.
This Weekend's Pick
Galactic Skies at Westpoint
The Round Table's charity fireworks night at Westpoint has gone full space opera this year. On Saturday, 300 drones will draw moving pictures in the sky alongside a fireworks display set to a galactic soundtrack, with Stormtroopers marching through the crowd, funfair rides, street food and Radio Exe hosting the countdown. Every ticket helps Devon Air Ambulance.
Tickets are advance only, with none on the gate, and yours has to match how you're arriving, so decide that first. Driving costs more because every person in the car needs a car parking ticket, while the shuttle buses run from the Sowton and Honiton Road park and rides and the city centre. Gates close at 7pm, dogs and sparklers stay at home, and if the drones can't fly but the fireworks go ahead, there are no refunds.
| When | Saturday 7 November, gates 5pm, last entry 7pm, finishing around 8.30 to 9pm |
| Where | Westpoint, Clyst St Mary (about 15 min from Exeter) |
| Cost | By car, adults £15, children £6, family of four £38. By shuttle bus, taxi or on foot, adults £11, children £5, family of four £28. Under-3s free. |
| SPONSORED | This month's partner: Stage by Stage | ||||||
Pinocchio, this year's Exeter PantoThe Exeter Panto team are back at the Corn Exchange this Christmas with Pinocchio, a brand-new show following last year's Wizard of Oz. There's a little wooden boy who wants to be real, a very messy trip to Pleasure Island and a journey into the belly of a whale, with a mix of West End faces and familiar locals in the cast. It opens on Saturday 12 December and runs to Saturday 2 January, and booking now means the pick of the weekend and holiday matinees before they go.
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More Good Stuff
Bonfire and Fireworks Night at Double Locks
Double Locks lights up the canal on Saturday, with live music from Dirty Money at 6pm, fireworks set to music at 7pm and the bonfire straight after. There's a burger shack, BBQ and hog roast to keep everyone going, and wellies are a good idea.
There's no parking at the pub, so walk or cycle the towpath from the Quay (about 30 min), take the train to Marsh Barton, or park in Marsh Barton and stroll down, with a torch for the way back. Tickets are advance only and it usually sells out.
| When | Saturday 7 November, 5pm to 11pm, fireworks 7pm |
| Where | Double Locks, Canal Banks, Exeter |
| Cost | Adults £18.70, children 5 to 15 £16.50, family of four £64.80, under-5s free |
Winter Warmer Trail at the Donkey Sanctuary
Waffles the donkey has taken over from the pumpkins at the Donkey Sanctuary, and this brand new trail starts this week. Kids follow the map around the sanctuary finding out how the donkeys stay warm and healthy through winter, matching stickers to their trail sheet and winning a prize at the end.
Entry and parking are both free, so the only cost is the £5 trail sheet from the gift shop. There's also a new super miniature donkey paddock, a natural play area and The Kitchen restaurant, and friendly dogs on leads are welcome.
| When | Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 November, 9am to 4pm, last entry 3.30pm (running until 2 February) |
| Where | The Donkey Sanctuary, Slade House Farm, near Sidmouth (about 40 min from Exeter) |
| Cost | Free entry and parking, £5 per trail |
Worth the drive: Olaf Falafel at Pavilions Teignmouth
Award-winning comedian and children's author Olaf Falafel brings his Stupidest Super Stupid Show to Teignmouth on Sunday afternoon, fresh from a sell-out Edinburgh Fringe run. Expect poos on pogo sticks, truth-telling cheese, a time-travelling portal and a live draw-along.
It won Best Kids' Show at the 2024 Leicester Comedy Festival, and the seafront car parks by the Den are right there if you fancy a blustery walk first.
| When | Sunday 8 November, 2.30pm, about an hour |
| Where | Pavilions Teignmouth, Den Crescent (about 35 min from Exeter) |
| Cost | £10.50 each, including the booking fee |
One free thing
Dawlish Pumpkin Trail
It's the final weekend of the free pumpkin trail around Dawlish town centre. Pick up a map from Presents of Dawlish, The Puzzled Sweet Shop or The Local Scoop, collect as many pumpkin names as you can, and drop your sheet back at Presents of Dawlish by Sunday to go in the prize draw.
The black swans on Dawlish Brook are worth a hello while you're there, and the train from Exeter runs along the sea wall if you'd rather leave the car.
| When | Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 November, 10am to 4pm |
| Where | Dawlish town centre, starting at Presents of Dawlish, 36 The Strand (about 30 min from Exeter) |
| Cost | Free |
That's the lot. If you end up at any of these, a quick reply with a photo is always welcome, it comes straight to the inbox. Have a good weekend, and hope the weather plays along.
Details change. Check each venue's website before setting off, especially for timed entry or one-off events.
