Things To Do In Devon And Cornwall This September

September is the local's month. The queues at the beach car parks vanish, the sea is at its warmest after a whole summer of heating up, and the region's cultural calendar, which spends August rather preoccupied with holidaymakers, turns to books, food and the sort of small-town events that have been running for decades. Here are ten to book now.

Penzance Food Festival, Penlee Park

3 – 6 September



Now in its third year and already a fixture. Four days of street food, producer stalls, live-fire cooking, workshops and music in the leafy surroundings of Penlee Park. Free entry, with a programme of bookable events announced closer to the time.

Seaton Carnival, Seaton, East Devon

5 September

Part of the East Devon carnival circuit and thoroughly traditional: decorated floats, music, and an evening procession through the town. Unpretentious, well attended and a proper slice of local life.

This Ain't Texas Festival, Par, Cornwall

5 September



Country music, line dancing and American barbecue, incongruously and delightfully, in Cornwall. Family-friendly and rather more fun than the concept suggests.

St Ives September Festival, Various venues, St Ives, Cornwall,

12 – 26 September



A fortnight of music, exhibitions, walks, talks and workshops across the town. Established in 1978, it's one of the oldest community arts festivals in the country, and much of it is free.

International Agatha Christie Festival, Torquay, Devon

12 – 20 September



Torquay celebrates its most famous author around her birthday on the 15th, with a four-day fringe followed by a four-day literary programme, closing with a garden party.

Budleigh Salterton Literary Festival, Budleigh Salterton, East Devon

23-27 September



Authors, poets and public figures in one of East Devon's prettiest seaside towns. Consistently well programmed and refreshingly unshowy.

Looe Weekender Music Festival, Looe, Cornwall

18 – 20 September



Music, arts, dance and workshops across a Cornish fishing town at its late-season best. A gentler, more manageable proposition than the summer's big beach festivals.

Appledore Book Festival, Appledore, North Devon

18 – 27 September



Now in its twentieth year and one of the UK's most highly regarded literary festivals. The 2026 line-up includes Mary Portas, Sophie Raworth, Caroline Quentin, Jeremy Wade and Dawn O'Porter.

Exeter Dolls House and Miniatures Fair, Exeter, Devon

27 September



Niche, yes. Also completely absorbing. A hall full of extraordinarily fine craftsmanship at one-twelfth scale. Worth an hour even if you've no intention of buying.

FAQs: Devon And Cornwall In September

What's on in Devon and Cornwall in September 2026?

September brings the Penzance Food Festival (3–6 September), Seaton Carnival (5 September), St Ives September Festival (12–26 September), the International Agatha Christie Festival in Torquay (12–20 September), Budleigh Salterton Literary Festival (17–27 September), Looe Weekender (18–20 September) and Appledore Book Festival (18–27 September), among others.

Is September a good time to visit Devon and Cornwall?

For many people it is the best month. School holidays have ended so beaches, roads and restaurants are markedly quieter, the sea reaches its warmest of the year after a summer of gradual heating, and accommodation prices drop from their August peak. The festival calendar is also at its fullest.

Which literary festivals take place in Devon in September?

Three of note. The Budleigh Salterton Literary Festival runs 17–27 September in East Devon, the Appledore Book Festival runs 18–27 September in North Devon, and the International Agatha Christie Festival takes place in Torquay from 12–20 September, combining literary events with a fringe programme.

Are there free events in Cornwall in September?

Yes. The Penzance Food Festival is free to enter, much of the St Ives September Festival programme costs nothing, too.

Can you still swim in the sea in Devon and Cornwall in September?

September usually offers the warmest sea temperatures of the year in the South West, as the water has spent the whole summer absorbing heat and cools more slowly than the air. Many local swimmers regard it as the best month of the season. Conditions still change quickly, so check tide times and swim at lifeguarded beaches where possible.

When does the Agatha Christie Festival take place in Torquay?

The International Agatha Christie Festival runs from 12 to 20 September 2026 in Torquay, Devon, timed around Christie's birthday on 15 September. The programme combines a four-day fringe festival with a four-day literary festival and closes with a themed garden party.