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Things to do · Exeter

Things to do in Exeter

46 ideas for a day or a night in Exeter, by what you’re in the mood for.

By type

Arts & culture · 11 Nightlife · 9 Live music · 8 Outdoors · 7 Tours & day trips · 6 Markets · 4 Festivals & events · 1

Arts & culture in Exeter

FreeExeter Contemporary Open 2026Thu 15 October, 10am · Exeter Phoenix, Phoenix Gallery FreeBayeux Around BritainThu 15 October · Royal Albert Memorial Museum (RAMM)Little Shop of HorrorsThu 15 October · Exeter Northcott Theatre · From £22 Living Labyrinths: Art and FungiThu 15 October · Royal Albert Memorial Museum (RAMM), Galleries 21 & 22 · From £6 EastBendersFri 16 October, 7:30pm · Exeter Phoenix, Studio 1 · From £8 Sam Campbell: Kid GibletSat 17 October, 7:30pm · The Great Hall, University of Exeter · From £31 Paul Merton & Suki Webster's Improv ShowSun 18 October · Exeter Corn Exchange · From £27 How Soon Is Now?Wed 21 October, 7:30pm · Exeter Northcott Theatre · From £18 Buffy RevampedWed 21 October · Exeter Corn Exchange · From £27 Tracy Borman: Tudors on TourThu 22 October, 7:30pm · Exeter Northcott Theatre · From £30

Nightlife in Exeter

BoardSouth Street Double LocksExeter Ship Canal Exeter CavernQueen Street The Old FirehouseCity centre Exeter Phoenix Cafe BarGandy Street Ludo Sports & Live LoungeQueen Street The Passage House InnTopsham Turks HeadCity centre Extravaganza Club NightSat 17 October, 8pm · Lemon Grove · From £15.38

Live music in Exeter

British Army Music on Tour: Beat of the NationFri 16 October, 7:30pm · Great Hall, University of Exeter Elles Bailey + Jackie BristowFri 16 October, 7:30pm · Exeter Phoenix · From £27 Too Much Too Young: The Story of 2Tone & BeyondFri 16 October · Exeter Corn Exchange · From £29 Crash Test Dummies + Wild OceansSat 17 October, 7:30pm · Exeter Phoenix · From £37 An Evening With Kristin HershTue 20 October, 8pm · Exeter Phoenix · From £25 BSO: Glorious HeightsThu 22 October, 7:30pm · Great Hall, University of Exeter · From £10 Queen by Candlelight at Exeter CathedralThu 22 October, 7:30pm · Exeter Cathedral · From £14.5 Tom McRaeThu 22 October, 8pm · Exeter Phoenix · From £24

Outdoors in Exeter

FreeExeter Canal Cycle Route23 km · about 2.5 hrs FreeExe Estuary Trail42 km FreeExeter City Wall Trailabout 1.5 hrs FreeExeter Green Circle19.3 km FreeThe Medieval Trailabout 1 hr FreeThe Woollen Trailabout 1 hr FreeUniversity of Exeter Sculpture Walkabout 2 hrs

Tours & day trips in Exeter

Dartmouth Steam Railway & River BoatPaignton (about 45 minutes' drive from Exeter) · From £17.5 Killerton (National Trust)Self-drive from Exeter (about 7 miles) · From £18 Powderham CastleSelf-drive from Exeter (about 8 miles)Haldon Forest ParkSelf-drive or bus from Exeter · Free Canonteign FallsSelf-drive from Exeter (about 20 minutes) · From £15.5 RHS Garden RosemoorSelf-drive from Exeter (about 1 hour) · From £13.6

Markets in Exeter

FreeExeter Farmers' MarketThu 15 October, 9am · Fore Street / South Street FreeExeter Quayside Farmers' MarketSat 17 October, 9am · Exeter Quayside, Piazza Terracina FreeExeter Sunday Market & Car Boot SaleSun 18 October, 6am · Matford Centre FreeExeter Farmers' MarketThu 22 October, 9am · Fore Street / South Street

Festivals & events in Exeter

Out There Fringe Fest '26Thu 15 October · Various venues, Exeter · From £8

Things to do in Exeter, answered

What are the best things to do in Exeter?

Right now: Exeter Contemporary Open 2026 (arts & culture), Board (nightlife), British Army Music on Tour: Beat of the Nation (live music) and Exeter Canal Cycle Route (outdoors). Each list is refreshed several times a day.

What can I do for free in Exeter?

Exeter Contemporary Open 2026, Bayeux Around Britain, Exeter Canal Cycle Route and Exe Estuary Trail, and 9 more.

What's on in Exeter this week?

What's On Exeter has this week day by day: tonight, this weekend, the Top 10 and the regular nights hotels and hostels run.