What’s On in Woolacombe and North Devon: October 2026

Discover what's on in Woolacombe and North Devon this October 2026, including Halloween events, live music, autumn days out, Lundy trips and coastal activities.

9/30/202610 min read

Autumn view across Woolacombe Beach and the North Devon coastline at sunset.
Autumn view across Woolacombe Beach and the North Devon coastline at sunset.

October is a lovely time to visit Woolacombe. The summer crowds have disappeared, the coast takes on its autumn colours and there’s still plenty happening both in the village and across North Devon.

This October is particularly busy, with live music, photography, Halloween events, gardens in their autumn colours, beach activities and plenty of opportunities to get outside. If you’re planning an autumn break at Westbeach One, here’s our guide to what’s happening.

Autumn Days Out

Autumn arrives in spectacular fashion at Watermouth Castle, where the new-for-2026 Pumpkins at the Castle runs from 26 September until 1 November. Thousands of pumpkins are taking over the castle and grounds, with pumpkin-filled walkways, autumn photo spots, a family trail and a courtyard pumpkin market.

The event is included with normal admission, alongside the castle's rides, gardens, museums and dungeons. Tickets are also available from Woolacombe Tourist Information Centre with a 25% saving, according to the local October events guide. You can find out more about Pumpkins at the Castle before you go.

Further inland, RHS Garden Rosemoor hosts Flavours of Autumn from 3 to 11 October. It begins with Europom 2026, an international celebration of fruit-growing heritage, before moving into talks, tastings and demonstrations involving growers, chefs and food makers. There’s live music, family entertainment and plenty of autumn colour in the gardens too. Discover Flavours of Autumn at RHS Rosemoor.

Rosemoor also has more to explore throughout the month. Look out for its Willow Sculptures and The Wind in the Willows: A Garden Adventure, a family trail inspired by Kenneth Grahame's classic story. Find out more about The Wind in the Willows garden adventure.

An Autumn Visit to Arlington Court

There's plenty happening at Arlington Court too, making October a particularly good month to visit this beautiful National Trust estate.

The Arlington Court: A Home for Nature summer exhibition reaches its final weekend on 3 and 4 October. The exhibition explores Arlington through the eyes of its former owner Rosalie Chichester and her lifelong interest in the natural world.

From 10 October, the estate's Autumnfest celebrations bring autumn decorations, a harvest display in the house and a community scarecrow trail through the grounds. There are also guided wider estate walks during October, including walks exploring the estate's autumn trees and more energetic hikes into some of Arlington's less-visited corners.

Then, on 30 October, there's an Autumnfest Family Fun Day, with seasonal activities in the garden.

You can see the full programme of events at Arlington Court and combine one of them with a walk around the wider estate.

Events in Woolacombe

You don't necessarily need to leave the village to find something going on.

Woolacombe Village Hall starts the month with the Woolacombe Hoedown on Saturday 3 October, featuring live band Hipslinger. Tickets are available from Woolacombe Tourist Information Centre or the village Spar.

A week later, on 10 October, the hall hosts an interactive Rocky Horror Picture Show Experience, again with tickets available locally.

On Friday 23 October there's a Quiz Night in aid of North Devon Hospice. There's no need to book for this one, so you can simply turn up and join in.

Towards the end of the month, the hall hosts an Arts & Craft Exhibition on 29 and 30 October, with free admission, followed on the evening of Friday 30 October by live music from Devon duo Sound of the Sirens.

You can see the Woolacombe Village Hall autumn programme for more details.

Get Outside

October certainly doesn't mean staying indoors. In fact, Woolacombe's beaches and coastline are among the best reasons to visit at this time of year.

On Sunday 4 October, The Barn Beach Swim takes place in aid of Adventure Therapy, combining an open-water challenge with fundraising for a North Devon charity that provides outdoor and adventure activities for people facing physical, emotional or social barriers.

Later in the month, Sunday 25 October brings Beach Yoga to Woolacombe, as well as one of the National Trust's rather unusual Silent Disco Beach Cleans.

The beach clean starts at Mill Rock at 10.30am and combines looking after the beach with music through wireless headphones. It's free, there's no need to book and the equipment is provided, although you'll need to dress for the weather. Find out more about the National Trust Silent Disco Beach Clean.

On Thursday 29 October, the National Trust is also holding Bash and Burn, a family volunteering event at Mortehoe. It's another opportunity to spend time outside while helping the rangers look after this special part of the North Devon coast. You can check the latest National Trust events around Woolacombe.

Woolacombe Dunes parkrun

Every Saturday morning there's also Woolacombe Dunes parkrun.

This free weekly 5K is one of the more memorable parkruns in the country, taking runners, joggers and walkers through the dunes and along the beach before confronting them with Woolacombe's infamous Dune of Doom on the way back up.

It starts at 9am near The Porthole at the end of Marine Drive. You can find out more about Woolacombe Dunes parkrun and register before taking part.

A Weekend for Photographers

A short drive away, the Ilfracombe Photography Festival takes place on 10 and 11 October.

Fifteen venues across Ilfracombe will host free exhibitions alongside workshops, talks, photo walks, films and practical photography experiences. The programme covers everything from contemporary work and smartphone photography to cyanotype printing and traditional photographic techniques.

Among the exhibitions is Jack Lowe's fascinating Lifeboat Station Project, documenting RNLI crews using the Victorian wet-plate collodion process.

It's designed for everyone from experienced photographers to people who simply enjoy a good photograph, while Ilfracombe itself provides a fitting backdrop of harbour, cliffs and Victorian architecture.

You can explore the Ilfracombe Photography Festival programme and browse its workshops and photo walks before heading over.

Harvest Festival in Mortehoe

For something altogether more traditional, St Mary's Church in Mortehoe holds its Harvest Festival at 5pm on Sunday 11 October.

Mortehoe is an easy walk or very short journey from Woolacombe, so this could be combined with an autumn walk around the village or out towards Morte Point.

Halloween Arrives in North Devon

The second half of October brings a considerable amount of Halloween activity across North Devon.

For younger visitors, The BIG Sheep near Bideford runs its Halloween Toddler Takeover on 17, 18, 19, 21 and 23 October. There are Monster Glow Parties, Halloween arts and crafts, animals, rides, indoor play and pumpkins to take home. Find out more about the Halloween Toddler Takeover.

From 24 October to 1 November, The BIG Sheep moves into its main Halloween Half Term programme, with Monster Glow Parties, fancy dress, rides, animal shows, indoor play and pumpkin picking. See The BIG Sheep's Halloween Half Term programme.

Pumpkins and Zombies at The Combes

Much closer to Woolacombe, The Combes Golf Park opens its Pumpkin Patch from 23 October through to 1 November.

Things become considerably less peaceful on 30 and 31 October, when the golf course is transformed for Scary Zombie Foot Golf. The event combines 18 holes of foot golf with live zombie actors, with earlier sessions for under-12s and later sessions for older players.

Then, on Halloween itself, 31 October, The Combes hosts its Halloween Disco.

Check the Woolacombe & Mortehoe Tourism events guide for the latest local event information and booking details.

Halloween Hocus Pocus at The Milky Way

The Milky Way Adventure Park near Clovelly joins in from 25 to 31 October with Halloween Hocus Pocus.

Alongside the park's usual rides, shows and attractions, there are Halloween extras including a School for Witches & Wizards, seasonal storytelling, Spooky Swamp Dodgems, Merlin's Spooktacular Show and a fancy dress competition.

It's designed to be fun rather than genuinely frightening, so it's aimed firmly at families. Find out more about Halloween Hocus Pocus at The Milky Way.

More Half-Term Fun

From 29 to 31 October, Let's Go in Barnstaple holds its Spooktacular, adding another indoor option to the half-term programme.

On Saturday 31 October, there's also Scary Saturday at Lobb Fields Caravan & Camping Park near Braunton.

These smaller local events can change or update their programmes, so we'd recommend checking the Woolacombe & Mortehoe Tourism What's On guide before travelling.

Ilfracombe Fireworks and Halloween Party

Friday 30 October brings one of the month's biggest evening events: the Ilfracombe Fireworks and Halloween Party.

The event runs from 6.30pm to 9pm and combines a large bonfire and fireworks display with Halloween entertainment. Fancy dress is encouraged for children, with prizes for some of the best costumes.

Tickets are available on the door. Check Visit Ilfracombe's October events listings for the latest information.

Halloween Night in Woolacombe

If you'd rather stay in Woolacombe itself on 31 October, there are options for grown-ups too.

Bar Electric hosts an adults-only Halloween Disco, with a DJ set from 9.30pm, while The Jube holds its Frights, Camera, Action Halloween Party.

It means you can enjoy Halloween without needing to get back in the car afterwards. Check the Woolacombe events guide for the latest information.

Relax with a Sound Bath

Not everything at the end of October involves zombies and pumpkins.

On 29 October, Sense Greater Peace in Woolacombe holds a Sound Bath, offering a rather calmer alternative to the half-term activity elsewhere.

The studio also offers regular yoga, Pilates and reformer sessions throughout the month. You can see what's available at Sense Greater Peace and book sessions online.

Take a Day Trip to Lundy

October also provides some of the last opportunities of the season to visit Lundy Island by sea.

Day trips are scheduled during the month, including regular Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday sailings. The MS Oldenburg sails from Ilfracombe or Bideford depending on the tides, with the crossing usually taking less than two hours.

Once there, you have several hours to explore the island on foot before the return journey.

Sailings are weather dependent, so it's important to check before making plans. You can see the Lundy sailing timetable and visitor information or ask Woolacombe Tourist Information Centre about local ticket arrangements.

Get Out on the Water

If Lundy feels a little ambitious, there are other ways to get out on the water during October.

Coastal cruises, fishing trips and sea safaris operate during the month when weather and sea conditions allow, with tickets available through Woolacombe Tourist Information Centre.

These can be particularly rewarding in autumn, when the coast is quieter and a boat gives you a completely different view of North Devon's cliffs, coves and wildlife.

For current sailings and availability, check with Woolacombe & Mortehoe Tourist Information.

Regular Events in and Around Woolacombe

There are plenty of smaller things happening throughout October too.

Every Wednesday, Georgeham Village Hall hosts a Coffee Morning and Book Sale, while Bar Electric runs its weekly Open Mic Night, with the last one of the 2026 season taking place on 28 October.

On Thursdays, Woolacombe Village Hall hosts Line Dancing at 6.15pm, followed by Dance Club at 7.20pm.

And, as mentioned above, Lundy day trips are scheduled on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, while Woolacombe Dunes parkrun takes place every Saturday morning.

Something for a Rainy Day

October on the North Devon coast inevitably brings the occasional wet day, but that doesn't mean writing off the day.

The Neo Cinema at Woolacombe Bay Hotel offers a luxurious little cinema right in the village. The October events guide lists it as open to non-residents, although we'd suggest checking availability with the hotel before heading over. You can find out more about Neo Cinema.

A yoga, Pilates or reformer session at Sense Greater Peace is another option, while Watermouth Castle, The BIG Sheep and The Milky Way all offer at least some undercover entertainment if the weather really closes in.

October 2026 at a Glance

If you're already in Woolacombe and simply want to know what's happening when, here's the full calendar from the local October events guide.

Regular Events Throughout October

There's plenty happening regularly too, so you don't necessarily need to time your stay around one of the bigger events:

An Autumn Break in Woolacombe

October shows a very different side of Woolacombe from the busy summer months. The beaches are quieter, the coastal paths are peaceful and the changing weather can bring everything from crisp sunny mornings to spectacular Atlantic skies.

There's also clearly no shortage of things to do. You could start the day with a walk along an almost empty Woolacombe Beach, head off to an autumn event in the afternoon and still be back in the village for live music, a quiz, dinner or a drink in the evening.

Westbeach One makes a comfortable base for two right in Woolacombe, putting the beach, village and coastal walks within easy reach, while Ilfracombe, Mortehoe and the rest of North Devon are close enough for an easy day out.

For the latest additions, cancellations or changes while planning your trip, we'd recommend checking the Woolacombe & Mortehoe Tourism events guide before you set off.

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