Whats on in and around Ilfracombe in October
Regular Events
1st Saturday – 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.
Every Tuesday and Wednesday – 7pm – Devon Ghost Tours – George & Dragon, Fore Street
Embark on a journey through time. Our guided walking tours offer a unique opportunity to explore Devon’s rich history and culture. Our experienced guides are passionate about bringing the past to life, ensuring an unforgettable experience for each of our guests.
October Events
4 October – 6pm – Gin Tasting at Ilfracombe Lifeboat Station
Don’t forget the evening includes the unveiling of their spiced rum! This is an exclusive event so tickets are strictly limited. Tickets available in the RNLI Shop, or Visit https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1022320777967 to ensure your place is booked!
4 October – 6.30pm – Barn Dance & Supper – St Peters Church
Music from the Oggle Band, Raffle and Bar.
4 & 5 October – Oktoberfest 2024 – The Thatched Inn
This year we welcome The Greater Good Due and Dixie Hicks are back again to get you up and dancing.
22 & 23 October – Pier & Cove Car Parks
The Pier & Cove car parks will be closed for the lifting of the boats from the harbour.
25 October – 6.30pm – Spooks and Sparks – Ilfracombe Rugby Club
A joint celebration of Guy Fawkes night and Halloween. The event features a bonfire, BBQ, haunted house, live music, bar, performers, and of course some spectacular fireworks. Lots of family-friendly firework fun with all proceeds going to Ilfracombe Rugby Club.
25, 26 27October & 2 November – 6pm to 9pm – ‘Descend into Darkness’ – Watermouth Castle
A haunted castle with a twisted maze of horrors… Be first to experience Watermouth Castle’s first-ever immersive scare attraction: ‘Descend into Darkness’… Get ready to be spooked! A hair-raising Halloween scare event, promising thrills and chills for all horror lovers, fright fiends, and all those who love a good fright… Do you dare to come face-to-face with terror…? With bone-chilling attractions, live scare actors, and heart-pounding themed areas, this event is not for the faint of heart. Join us if you dare for a night of spine-tingling fun, and unforgettable scares.
The experience lasts approximately one hour. Not suitable for under 12s or wheelchair users. Under 16s must have an accompanying adult.
26 October – 3 November – Spooky Fun awaits at Watermouth Castle
Prepare for a hauntingly good time! Get ready to be spellbound by our spine-tingling Halloween line-up! Bring the whole family for a frightfully fun day filled with thrills, chills, and Halloween magic. The Great Halloween Challenge – Trick or Treat Treasure Trail – Bug Brunch – Find the Hidden Gems. …and more spooky surprises! Prepare for a hauntingly good time! Book early to secure your spot!
30 October – Westcountry Halloween Folklore – Ilfracombe Museum
Mark Norman from The Folklore Library and Archive based in Crediton will give an illustrated talk for the spooky season, exploring some of the Halloween folklore and traditions of Devon and Cornwall, and how they sit alongside other Halloween folklore from around the world. Book now, online via Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/westcountry-halloween-folklore-tickets-1000670270717 or pop into the museum.
31 October – 8pm to 2am – Halloween Paranormal Investigation – Second Stage, Wilder Road
The Second Stage pub in Ilfracombe is an actively haunted venue with resident ghosts from when it was a Hotel in the Victorian era to pub patrons over the years. We also have spirits that like to visit occasionally and interact with the ghost-hunting guests or paranormal teams investigating the venue.
Come and investigate a haunted location who knows what may happen? Booking essential
Embassy Cinema – Details of all films showing can be found at https://ilfracombe.merlincinemas.co.uk/ and on our Diary page
Landmark Theatre
5 October – 7pm – Ocean Film Festival World Tour
Climb aboard for a night of ocean adventure! A new collection of the worlds most incredible ocean films. A selection of short films combines breath-taking marine life and wild seafaring voyages in a cinematic celebration of our oceans.
15 – 18 October – 7.30pm – FRANKENSTEIN
A new story inspired by the classic novel by Mary Shelley written and directed by Sean Aydon. 1943 Whilst Europe tears itself apart, two women hide from their past at what feels like the very end of the world and one of them has a terrifying story to tell……….
19 October – 7.30pm – Joe Pasquale
The New Normal – 40 Years of cack….Continued! Joe Pasquale has been showing off on stage for over 40 years and he’s bringing his favourite things for another airing to show that things have never been normal…..
20 October – 2pm – Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland
A Royal Ballet Screening – Alice is surprised when her parents friend Lewis Carol transforms into a white rabbit and when she follows him down a rabbit hole things get curiouser and curiouser!
24 October – 7.30pm – An Evening with Jimmy Tarbuck – Live on Stage
After more than 60 years at the very top of his profession Jimmy Tarbuck OBE relives many of the most iconic moments of a life on stage and screen. Featuring a huge collection of anecdotes and videos clips highlighting a glittering career.
26 October – 2pm – Wolf Witch Giant Fairy
Royal Opera Screening – Do not miss this ‘enchantingly staged’ family folk opera. Red Riding Hood is tasked with delivering bread to her grandmother, deep in the heart of the fairy-tale forest. Join our ragtag band of wild musician as they guide the family through this famous tale with new twists, turns, magic and song.
26 October – 7.30pm – Harry Styles Tribute
The producers of Only One Direction present the electrifying Harry Styles Tribute With stunning vocals and captivating stage presence.
27 October – 7.30pm – Mugenkyo Taiko Drummers
Join the celebration of Mugenkyo’s landmark anniversary, with a very special show of big beasts, visual treats and vital energy. As Europe’s longest established taiko group they are widely recognised as the ground-breaking pioneers of this exciting art form.
29 October – 7.30pm – Simon Parker – A Ride Across America
In the build up to the 2024 US Presidential Election Simon embarked upon a 4,327 mile cycling journey through 11 states, meeting hundreds of fascinating Americans along the way. His aim to better understand America, its people, politics and problems. A night of adventure, with multimedia presentation of tall tales, short films, maps, photos audio clips and book readings.
4 – 7 October – Ska & Mod Weekender
A retro music weekend celebrating the best of ska and mod culture with live performances and DJs. This is a first for North Devon Resort, but long requested. We expect this event to have very big demand and ask you to book quickly to avoid disappointment.
25 – 27 October – Ilfracombe Halloween Ball )
Step into the enchanting world of the Ilfracombe Halloween Ball! Join us for a night of family-friendly Halloween festivities, featuring thrilling activities, contests, and a spooky atmosphere filled with treats and no tricks. From costume contests to eerie decorations, it’s a celebration like no other.
AROUND & ABOUT THE WIDER NORTH DEVON
5 & 6 October – 10am to 4pm – Festival of Flavours – RHS Garden Rosemoor
Celebrate the bounty of autumn and our heritage apple harvest with a weekend of cookery demos, expert talks, garden tours, live music and a fabulous food and craft market.
5 October to 5 November – Scarecrow Trail – Arlington Court
Pick up a free trail sheet from the visitor reception and head out to explore the grounds and gardens spotting scarecrows which have been made by local schools, staff and volunteers. How many can you find?
18 October to 3 November – Exmoor Dark Skies Festival
Join us to celebrate and explore the wonders of Exmoor after dark…..
The festival includes something for everyone, giving enthusiastic stargazers, wildlife watchers and families the chance to enjoy Europe’s first designated Dark Sky Reserve. Booking for the 2024 festival is now open, and with well over 50 events to choose from there is something for everyone. Most events book out in advance so don’t delay.
19 to 23 October – 9.30am to 3pm – Halloween Toddler Takeover – The Big Sheep
Dig out your best Halloween costumes and bring your little monsters along for our Halloween Toddler Takeover with Jiggy Wrigglers and Barnwood Bears! Pumpkins to buy and carve at home, Halloween themed marquee filled with arts and crafts, Animal Magic in our undercover Barn home to lambs, piglets, goats and many more loveable friends and much more. Spaces are limited and must be booked in advance
25 October to 2 November – 10am to 5pm – Spook-tactular Halloween Fun – The Big Sheep
Creepin’ It Real.. Ewe’ll have a hoot and enjoy a spooktacular Halloween Half Term at The Big Sheep, with haunted attractions and family-friendly fun! Create a masterpiece you can take home with you! We’ll help you carve a pumpkin you can be proud of. FREE Pumpkin for every child when booking online.
26 October – Star Wars Day – The Milky Way Adventure Park
Star Wars fans will be excited to hear that Storm Troopers and other characters from the legendary films and you’ll be able to meet and take pictures with characters from the films as they patrol the park throughout the day. There will also be a children’s Star Wars fancy dress competition, with a prize of a free family pass for the best dressed! Booking essential.
26 October – 3 November – 10am to 4pm – Halloween Spool-tacular – Exmoor Zoo
This October, families can turn their half term holidays into an exciting experience by getting up close and personal with a range of exotic and endangered animals with spectacularly spooky activities and extra special offers.
Embracing the spooky season, Exmoor Zoo will also be hosting an entertaining Halloween trail. Follow the clues around the zoo and collect the answers to finish the trail, with a small prize upon completion. And, of course, there’s the education dungeon, if you dare to go in…
26 October to 3 November – Halloween Hocus Pocus – The Milky Way Adventure Park
Enrol your little horrors at our very special School for Witches and Wizards where they can try spell writing and casting plus potion making, all with the help of our brilliantly fun, larger-than life tutors. Then bump around the Spooky Swamp Dodgems, catch Merlin’s themed show filled with his special brand of spooktacular fun, catch a special storytelling session for little ones and enjoy the atmosphere of The Milky Way all decorated in its Halloween Best …
26 October to 3 November – 10am to 5pm – Half Term Fun at RHS Rosemoor
Wicked Plants Trail – Follow our family garden trail and spot the ingredients for a witch’s potion to cast your own magic spell! Pumpkin decorating – Let your imagination run wild! Halloween crafts – Have a go at a different craft every day, including making magic wands, Halloween lanterns, spider headbands, make your own monster and monster stress squeezers. Witch Hazel Halloween Storytime (30 October) Join Witch Hazel for a spine-chilling interactive storytelling session. Exmoor Zoo wicked plants workshop (31 October) Create your own spooky plant friend to take home. Professor Strange – The Steampunk Magician (1 November) The original family magic show performed by the strikingly unique Professor Strange!.
Check our Diaries for any updates
