What’s on in and around Ilfracombe in May
ILFRACOMBE
3 May – Ilfracombe Farmers’ Market – The Lantern Centre – 10am to 12.30pm
Held on the first Saturday of each month plus a few extras, the market sells fresh local & organic produce, craft, refreshments & more. New traders welcome. 01271 864621 for information.
3 May May Day Fun at the Lifeboat Station – 2pm to 3pm – RNLI Ilfracombe Lifeboat Station
Pop along to the Lifeboat station for Free Zumba on the Beach with Roberto! If that doesn’t take your fancy then there will also be a plant sale taking place at the Lifeboat station, and cream teas and refreshments will be available. Both events taking place from 2pm.
4 May – Jack in the Green Celebration -11am to 1pm
The annual Jack-in-the-Green event is all about releasing the ‘spirit of summer, a green clad procession complete with giants and drummers makes its way through the town to the seafront. At the Clapping Circle they dance the May Pole children from the audience are invited to join in the dancing, then ‘Jack’ will be stripped of his leafy coverings to welcome the Spirit of Summer. Everyone is welcome to join or watch the May Day parade – just turn up and if possible wear something green.
4 May – Yuvi in Attendance – 4pm to 6pm – Magenta Fine Art Gallery
International street artist Yuvi is returning to Magenta! We will be hosting a solo show in our Ilfracombe Gallery this bank holiday weekend.
8 May – VE Day – A shared moment of celebration – 10.50am for 11 am – Clapping Circle
8 May – VE Day Celebration – 10am – 12noon – West Down Parish Hall
Come along and help celebrate this momentous occasion. Bottomless tea & coffee with a selection of European cakes.
10 May – 11 May – Ilfracombe Art Trail
Ilfracombe. Our Art Trail provides an opportunity to visit venues of your choosing, talk to artists and discover all things new and surprising! There are paintings, sculpture, photography, jewellery, printing, textiles, leather, ceramics and much more. With our easy to follow map and guide you can discover art in some quirky places, most within just a short walk of the High Street. There is also, of course, the opportunity to purchase work and obtain information about artists’ events or courses, if they have them to offer.
11 May – Watermouth Castle Car Show -10:00am to 4pm
Save the date and join us for a delightful display of classic and unique cars against the backdrop of our stunning Victorian Castle. Best part? It’s a FREE event! The Battlements car park will be reserved exclusively for the Car Show. Cars start arriving at 9am and the show officially open at 10am.
11 May – Living Letters Community Photo – 12noon – Capstone Hill
On Sunday 11 May Ilfracombe people will once again be gathering on Capstone Hill to create a LIVING LETTERS photo as they have done many times over the years to commemorate special times in history. This is for the 80th anniversary of VE Day and you will see the letters cut into the hill before then. All are welcome to participate. Locals, visitors, young and old! Please arrive at around 11.45 on 11 May for a photo at 12 noon.
We look forward to seeing you!
18 May – Ilfracombe Repair Shop & Skills Sharing – 11 am to 2pm – hand:plant, High Street
Bring your items along to be repaired and learn some new skills.
18 May – Wildersmouth Beach Clean & Big Art Attack! – 1pm
Be part of a community beach clean finishing with a collaborative art piece which will be filmed as part of the nationwide Beach of Dreams coastal art festival.
23 May -26 May – Ilfracombe Beer Fest -12noon to 11pm (Closes lunchtime on Monday) Landmark Green
Four days of live music, stunning street food, family fun… Oh, and over 60 local ales and ciders! And it’s free entry too! Join Ilfracombe Roundtable over the May bank holiday weekend for fun in the sun, all raising money for local charities and good causes. We have over 30 of the areas top musicians and DJs bringing the party vibes all weekend. There’s bouncy fun to keep the little ones entertained, while we have five awesome street food vendors cooking up a storm, with food available from Mini ravers can take part too with our family session running from 3pm to 5pm on Saturday
26 May – Lee Spring Fair – 1pm to 4pm
Come and join us in Pixie Meadow, next to Lee Memorial Hall, 1pm to 4pm for a fun-filled afternoon with stalls, games, coconut shy, welly wanging, raffle, tombola, musicians corner, beer tent, BBQ and lots more!
26 May – Ilfracombe Market -10am to 4pm – Ilfracombe Seafront
With over 30 stalls offering a diverse range of products, the market has something for everyone. Our Market not only provides an opportunity for local artisans and entrepreneurs to showcase their talents and products, but it also creates a vibrant atmosphere where visitors can immerse themselves in the friendly culture and community of Ilfracombe. Food lovers are in for a treat as well, with a variety of stalls offering delicious local cuisines.
1 May – Bonnie & Clyde The Musical – 7.30pm
Starring Tony-Nominee Jeremy Jordan and Olivier-Nominee Frances Mayli McCann, this award-winning production re-tells the unbelievable true story of America’s most infamous couple, Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow. Recorded live at London’s Theatre Royal Drury Lane, discover the electrifying story of love, adventure, and crime that captured the attention of an entire nation.
8 May & 11 May – Ocean With David Attenborough – 7.15pm on 8th & 2.30pm on 11th
The celebrated broadcaster and filmmaker reveals how his lifetime has coincided with the great age of ocean discovery. Through spectacular sequences featuring coral reefs, kelp forests and the open ocean, Attenborough shares why a healthy ocean keeps the entire planet stable and flourishing.
13 May – Wind, Tide & Oar – 7.20pm
Journeying through rivers, coastlines, and open seas, spanning the UK, the Netherlands, and France, Wind, Tide & Oar creates a contemplative space, addressing themes of ecology, heritage, traditional skills, and maritime history. Wind, Tide & Oar is a compelling exploration of engineless sailing, shot on analogue film over three years. The film delves into the experiences of those who travel solely by harnessing the natural elements alone, following a diverse array of traditional boats and uncovering the unique rhythms and motivations of engineless navigation.
14 May – The Royal Opera: Die Walkure – 5pm
Gods and mortals battle in the second chapter of Wagner’s Ring cycle. On a stormy night, fate brings two strangers together, unleashing a love with the power to end worlds. Meanwhile, in the realm of the gods, an epic battle ensues between their ruler Wotan and his rebellious daughter, Brünnhilde.
15 May & 18 May – Holding back the Years: 40 Years of Simply Red, Live in Santiago – 7.30pm on 15th & 2.30pm on 18th
Celebrating forty years of making legendary music, Simply Red are coming to the big screen! Captured live at their sold out shows in Santiago, Chile, this stunning concert film sees the band at their absolute best as they perform all their classic hits as well as some behind the scenes interviews with Mick Hucknall.
22 May – The Royal Ballet – Ballet to Broadway: Wheeldon Works – 7.15pm
Sensuous contemporary ballet meets the energy of musical theatre in four distinctive short works. Fool’s Paradise, The Two Of Us, Us, An American In Paris: four works showing the remarkable choreographic range of The Royal Ballet’s Artistic Associate, Christopher Wheeldon.
1 May – What can we learn from women in Ecuador where they are deeply connected to their landscapes and communities and where these impacts are felt first? – 6.30pm
From filmmaker Maddie Meddings, Ceibo follows surfers Pacha Light and Lucy Small who journey across Ecuador to learn from women how we can better coexist with our planet. From the land rights struggles of the Andes and the Amazon, to an Olympic surfer who has carved out a path for women, to the fight to protect the waters of the Galapagos Islands, Ceibo explores some of the most important struggles of our time. Along the way, Pacha untangles her own evolving identity as she reconnects with her Ecuadorian roots and embraces what it means to be Ecuadorian.
14 – 16 May – Small Pond Productions – The Great British Bake Off Musical – 7.30pm
Ready…Set…Bake! The Great British Bake Off Musical brings the beloved baking competition to life, blending the charm, humour, and heart-warming moments of the TV show with catchy tunes and recognisable characters. Whether you’re a fan of the show or simply love a good musical, this is a theatrical treat that promises to rise to the occasion. Expect a rollercoaster of emotions as friendships form, cakes collapse, and dreams come true.
18 May – The Royal Opera: Die Walkure– 2pm
On a stormy night, fate brings two strangers together, unleashing a love with the power to end worlds. Meanwhile, in the realm of the gods, an epic battle ensues between their ruler Wotan and his rebellious daughter, Brünnhilde.
WIDER NORTH DEVON
2 to 26 May – Parracombe Arts & Literary Festival
Parracombe Arts and Literary Festival has walks and talks, music and books, dance and theatre, art and gardening. Profit from the events is going to the Parracombe Community Trust, Christ Church and the Churches Conservation Trust, which has the unenviable task of keeping St Petrock’s Church upright. Message if you need to know more.
3 & 4 May – Bonsai South West Show – 10am to 4pm – RHS Rosemoor
Explore displays of some of the highest quality bonsai trees. These trees have been nurtured and styled by the society members of the southwest. Exhibitors are delighted to give advice and answer any questions about this absorbing and growing hobby of bonsai, and in particular, the trees they are exhibiting. Some of the best professional bonsai nursery people and traders will be on hand at the show. Additionally, there will be a stand of suiseki (viewing stones), which express the Japanese art of stone appreciation that values aspects like stability, longevity and immortality.
4 May – Appledore Lifeboat Day 10am to 4.30pm
In the morning our All Weather Lifeboat, Mollie Hunt will be moored up against Appledore Quay, so why not come aboard and have a look around. Then join us at our station in the afternoon to meet the crew, watch on-water displays, learn about the history of the station and lots, lots more. We are very proud to have invited some of our emergency service partners, and local groups to take part in this event.
10 May – Lynton & Lynmouth Cliff Railway Steampunk Gathering – 10am to 5pm
The award winning Steampunk Gathering V111. Dress to impress and travel FREE all day. Join us for the Steampunk and Pirate Parade too. Music & Mayhem promised all day.
15 May – 17 May –Devon County Show – Westpoint Arena and Showground
The show is a celebration of rural life in Devon, and features country and livestock competitions, a grand parade, equine events, local food and local drink, traditional entertainment and rural crafts.
17 May – Pigstock 25′ – 11am to 10pm – The Big Sheep, Abbotsham
Pigstock 2025 is North Devon’s premier family festival, kicking off your summer with a one-day extravaganza in May. More than just music, this family friendly event features the renowned Big Sheep farm park to keep the kids entertained. Indulge in great food and drinks while enjoying our biggest main stage lineup ever!
17 May – Massed Bands Concert – 2.30 to 5pm – RHS Rosemoor
Enjoy an afternoon of music with Appledore Band, Bideford Town Band and Torrington Silver Band. This marks the 21st Massed Bands Concert, uniting musicians from the three towns. Each of the bands has selected a fantastic mix of music to entertain you, playing together as a massed band of 80+ players.
23 May – Bohemian Rhapsody – Arlington Court
Get ready to rock with Bohemian Rhapsody (2018), the Oscar-winning celebration of Queen and the legendary Freddie Mercury. Follow the band’s rise to fame and their iconic Live Aid performance in this powerful and exhilarating musical biopic. Gates open at 8.15pm & the film starts shortly after sunset approx. 9.45pm.
24 May – See Bluey at The Milky Way
Hooray! Bluey is coming to The Milky Way on the 24th May 2025. She will be making appearances at intervals throughout the day, PLUS she will be joined by a narrator for a special storytelling session too. Make sure to bring your camera to capture the magic.We expect tickets to sell out very quickly, so don’t wait too long before booking. It’s going to be a lot of fun! Please don’t travel to the park without tickets on the day.
24 May – Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them – Arlington Court
Step into J.K. Rowling’s wizarding world with Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (2016). Follow magizoologist Newt Scamander through 1920s New York as he wrangles magical creatures and uncovers dark forces in this magical, family-friendly adventure. Gates open at 8.15pm & the film starts shortly after sunset approx. 9.45pm.
24 May to 1 June May – Half Term: The Great Garden Game-A-Thon – 10am to 6pm – RHS Rosemoor
Join us this May Half Term when we organise the first ever Great Garden GameAthon during a fun-filled week for all ages. Get lost in a maze, play giant garden games and compete against your family and friends. Will you accept the challenge?
25 May – Downton Abbey – Arlington Court
Revisit the elegance and drama of Downton Abbey (2019) as the Crawley family prepares for a royal visit in this charming and heartwarming continuation of the hit series. A perfect evening for fans old and new. Gates open at 8.15pm & the film starts shortly after sunset approx. 9.45pm.
25 & 26 May – Quilt Exhibition 10am to 4pm – Braunton Parish Hall
Quilts large & small, traditional & contemporary produced by the From a Distance quilting group.
31 May & 1 June – South Molton Vintage Rally – Frankhill Farm Rackenford EX16 8EG
There is lost to do. There are the regular vintage vehicles of all shapes and sizes – steam engines, lorries, cars, motorcycles and tractors. There will be food stands, stalls, music etc So come along and see us.
