Paignton Festival (Carnival Week)

On 26th July 2025 to 3rd August 2025

You may be surprised to know that Torbay Carnival has been running for over 100 years. It was originally held on one night - procession night - but over the years it has grown and it now runs over nine days of free entertainment for all the family.

Paignton Festival was previously known as Torbay Carnival. After around 75 years of the same name, the organisers felt that change is good. However, Torbay Carnival is not gone and forgotten, as the procession night (Wednesday 25th July) will keep this name. Despite the new name, they have the same ethos they've had since the event started, to raise money for local charities and organisations.

Carnival procession Wednesday 26th July

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Reviews

  • A great day out - The railway is fantastic and all the staff were very kind, polite and only to happy to give any assistance necessary. Can't wait to do it all again but with the grandchildren next time. Thank you to all the staff.
  • Fantastic trip - Booked this trip beforehand due to current circumstances. Good pricing, beautiful scenery on the journey, easy to get off & get the ferry straight over. Cruise down the river was also lovely.
  • Trip back in time - What a fantastic experience. The train ride from Paignton is a gentle trip with stunning views. Arriving in Kingswear you can almost imagine how people in days gone by must have felt. A short ferry ride takes you into Dartmouth which is a stunning little town.

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