Welcome to the 27th Exmouth Festival, one of the biggest free arts festivals in the South West!

We’re excited to unveil the new look festival – this year the event is spread across several stages in the town, allowing us to bring you a bigger and more varied programme of entertainment across four days.

From rock, pop and blues to indie, folk, swing, ska and punk, from choirs and brass bands to ceilidh and sea shanties, there’s something for everyone. There are also lots of ways to get involved, with arts & craft activities and music and dance workshops, all for free. Daily theatre, circus shows, talks, films and all manner of entertainment will be happening across Exmouth, so get stuck in.

We recommend you download the app as the best way to navigate the festival, with up-to-the-minute information, schedules, artist lineups, and essential details right at your fingertips. It’s also equipped with handy maps, useful information and special offers that will keep you right up to date. Available from both Google Play and the Apple Store for free

We recommend coming by foot, bike, train, bus or ferry.

Exmouth Train Station is a 5 minute walk from two of the festival sites and 15-20 minutes to the third.
GWR run trains from Exeter every 30 minutes.

Buses run from Exeter, Sidmouth and Woodbury. See an interactive bus map here

Ferries run from Dawlish and Starcross

There are limited roads into and out of Exmouth and these can get very congested at peak times in summer. There is no parking at the festival sites. However there are car parks nearby and several large long-stay sites in Exmouth. A full list of car parks and charges is available here . If you are driving, please consider car-sharing to reduce congestion and pollution.

Taxis are available in Exmouth, a google search list is here

Can I bring my own food or drinks?
All of our sites are licensed premises, so we kindly request that you do not bring your own alcohol onto our sites but support the bars that support the festival.

In Manor Gardens we will be allowing a limited amount of alcohol in, which will be 6 cans per person. No glass will be allowed onsite for safety reasons.  Security will check bags on entrance to the Gardens.

You are welcome to bring your own food, however we do encourage you to support the fabulous festival food vendors at Manor Gardens and Sideshore, and the local businesses around the Strand.

 Help! I’ve lost my child!
Please make contact with one of the security team or Information Point volunteers, who will radio with colleagues to help locate your child.

Where are the toilets?
We recommend you download the app, which has a map showing the toilet locations marked with yellow flags.

There are no toilets in the Strand – please use the public toilets in Union Street, The Imperial Recreation Ground or Manor Gardens.

Manor Gardens has the public toilets plus some additional portable toilets.

At Sideshore you can use the toilets at Mickey’s, and the toilets at Edge watersports from 5-11pm.  Please treat them with respect. There are also public toilets next to Queens Drive Space.

Where is Lost Property?
All lost property handed in will be held at the Information Point in Manor Gardens. If you lose something at The Strand or Sideshore, ask security who may be able to make enquiries for you. After the event it will be held at the Town Hall by Exmouth Town Council.

 Can I bring my dog?
Well behaved dogs on a lead are welcome at all sites. Please consider how much they will enjoy hot, noisy or busy conditions.

What about accessibility?
All of the festival sites are wheelchair accessible. The Strand is all hardstanding, while Manor Gardens and Sideshore both have level grassed areas that may be problematic in heavy rainfall. Manor Gardens has concrete pathways that provide sightlines to the stage, but Sideshore does not.

Disabled parking is available on-street around the festival sites. Check the regulations here. Disabled bays are available in the town car parks, however blue badge holders have to pay to use East Devon District Council car parks.

Some of the shows in Manor Gardens will have BSL interpreters. Details tbc.

If you have further accessibility needs or questions, please get in touch prior to the event on festival@exmouth.gov.ukor head to the Info point in Manor Gardens at the event. We have some volunteers and may be able to offer you assistance.

Why are some events ticketed?
There are two ticketed events; the Silent Disco in Manor Gardens, and the Film Event at the Rugby Club.

The Silent Disco is a fundraiser to help cover the costs of the festival. We also need to know how many people are coming so we can ensure we have hired enough headsets.

The Film Event has a limited capacity – ticketing allows families to be sure of getting admission to the event they have planned their evening around, as well as helping to cover the cost of screen hire. This event is still subsidised by the festival.

Historically there have often been paid events at the festival, from theatre shows to boat trips and film screenings. However, the majority of the entertainment is free.

I want a stall or trader pitch at the festival
Applications for stalls are now closed. If you want to be notified when applications open for next year, please sign up via email here

Can me or my band play at the festival?
The schedules are now full for this year. We invite expressions of interest a few months prior to the event, and we do look at and consider everything, although we cannot respond to every applicant.

If you would like to be notified of applications being open, sign up via email here

Can I sponsor the festival?
If you’d like to offer to help fund the next Festival, we are always looking for sponsors, and we have lots of great opportunities. Please email: artsmanager@exmouth.gov.uk

Why has the festival date changed?
The festival was in the summer half term for many years. However, with local elections and other major administration tasks in May, it’s not the best time for a council-run event. The festival depends on support from councillors and ETC staff, who are otherwise occupied with important matters at that time of year.

This year we are trialling the late July date, and will review it for next year’s event.