2026 set to be landmark year for the English Riviera as major events calendar revealed

Visitors are being encouraged to put the English Riviera firmly on their 2026 travel plans after tourism leaders unveiled a packed calendar of major events set to place South Devon on the international stage.

From global sporting competitions and milestone air displays to literary festivals, food celebrations and large-scale community events, organisers say the year ahead will showcase the very best of Torquay, Paignton and Brixham.

Carolyn Custerson, chief executive of the English Riviera BID Company, said 2026 is shaping up to be one of the most significant years yet for the destination.

“2026 is shaping up to be a landmark year for the English Riviera, making it the absolute must-visit destination on the UK coast,” she said. “With the spectacular 10th anniversary of the English Riviera Airshow and the Bay welcoming the global elite for the ICF SUP World Cup 2026, we are firmly on the international stage.”

The year begins with the Agatha Christie Festival: A Spring Gathering on 11 and 12 April, which returns for a second year following a sell-out debut. The event will feature bestselling crime writers including Tom Mead, Val McDermid and Abir Mukherjee, alongside the launch of a new Agatha Christie Digital Mile app and a Golden Age costumed promenade along the famous mile in Torquay.

Early May will see Brixham host its ever-popular Pirate Festival from 2 to 4 May, transforming the historic harbour town with live music, re-enactments, themed food, family activities and fancy dress during the early May bank holiday weekend.

A major highlight of the year will be the English Riviera Airshow, taking place from 29 to 31 May, as the free-to-attend event celebrates its 10th anniversary with three days of aerial displays above Paignton seafront.

June brings a busy programme of outdoor and community-focused events, including the English Riviera Walking Festival from 6 to 21 June, offering more than 20 guided walks across coastline and woodland in the UK’s only seaside resort with UNESCO Global Geopark status.

Torbay Pride follows on 13 June, with a free, inclusive celebration featuring a march from Princess Gardens in Torquay and a full day of entertainment for all ages.

Later in the month, from 24 to 28 June, the English Riviera will host the ICF SUP World Cup 2026, marking the first time the International Canoe Federation has staged a SUP World Cup of this scale in the UK. Around 200 of the world’s top paddleboard athletes are expected to compete across Torquay, Paignton and Brixham, alongside community paddles and accessible events.

Electric Bay Festival will return to the English Riviera in summer 2026, taking place from Friday, July 10 to Sunday, July 12. The popular coastal music festival is set to once again transform the bay into a major live music destination, with headliners and the full line-up yet to be announced. Further details are expected in the coming months.

The autumn calendar includes the return of the main Agatha Christie Festival from 12 to 20 September, celebrating the life and legacy of the world-famous author through talks, exhibitions, performances and themed experiences across the bay.

Food lovers can also look forward to England’s Seafood FEAST, expected to take place across September and October, with restaurants and venues offering chef demonstrations, seafood safaris, wine pairings and catch-and-cook experiences showcasing the region’s fishing heritage.

The year will conclude with the return of the Bay of Lights, running from November 2026 through to January 2027, when Torquay seafront is transformed with illuminated trails, light projections and winter events.

Tourism leaders say the diverse programme is designed to encourage visitors to stay longer and experience the English Riviera throughout the year, rather than just during the summer months.

Further details on events and accommodation can be found via the English Riviera BID.