Devizes Diary

The Devizes Diary brings you details of events happening in Devizes and Mid-Wiltshire. Read details of upcoming events, or if you're holding your own event, tell us all about it.

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Regular Events

Thursdays Salsa

The Devizes Salsa Classes on a Thursday Night have moved! They are now at Needham House in Victoria Road, so pop along for the best Salsa fun in town, 7.30pm on Thursday evenings.

Saturdays Slimming World

Every Saturday at 9am and 11am, pop along to Slimming World at the Nursteed Centre. Lose weight and feel great. Join the gang and make new friends whilst receiving some great support to help you lose weight.

First Saturday Each Month Wiltshire Farmers Market

On the first Saturday of the month it's the Wiltshire Farmers Market. It takes place in the Market Square, Devizes from 9am 'til 1pm with local artisan food, crafts and top quality goods available to purchase directly from the producers.

August

Wednesdays in August Summer Holiday Children's Activities

There's a whole bunch of Summer Holiday Children's Activities at Wiltshire Museum in Long Street, every Wednesday throughout August. There will be a different theme each week, and the events are suitable for kids aged 11 and under. Booking is essential as these sessions are very popular!

Prehistoric Sea Monsters, Snakes and the Rainforest, Tudor Crafts and Pirates and the Sea.

Book now! Contact the museum on Devizes 727 369 or head online to wiltshiremuseum.org.uk

Sat 11 Aug Seend Fete

Seend Fete takes place on Saturday the 11th of August, on The Lye Field, a great English traditional day out for all the family. The Jaguar Car Club, a Petting Farm, the White Elephant stalls, and lots of games, food and drink. And new for this year, Super Pirates, making the children's area something to remember.

Sun 12 Aug Fantasy Radio Day

Fantasy Radio takes over Hillworth Park once again on Sunday the 12th of August for Fantasy Radio Day. Live music from local artists, fun-and-games with Fantasy Presenters and of course some great Fantasy Tunes. Bring along the family and a picnic and have some fun in the sun with us. Sunday the 12th of August from 2 'til 5pm.

Tue 14 Aug Arts Award Centre: Discover!

Tuesday the 14 of August sees a creative day at Wiltshire Museum, with a chance to explore the amazing objects in the archaeology and prehistory collections. Explore the patterns and shapes of the objects and discover more about the people who made them.

To achieve an Arts Award, children and young people need to participate in arts activities, find out about artists and their work and share their art discoveries with others. This workshop at the Wiltshire Museum is for children aged between 7 and 13. At the end of the day the group will share their discoveries and artwork – and there will be cake!

Booking is essential, please call the museum on Devizes 727 369

Sun 19 Aug Carnival 2018: Picnic In The Park

Devizes launches the Festival Fortnight with the Picnic In The Park event at Hillworth Park. Bring a picnic and relax with great music, chilled out family entertainment and copious refreshments of all types! Sunday the 19th of August from Midday 'til 5pm at Hillworth Park.

26-27 Aug Carnival 2018: International Street Festival

The Devizes International Street Festival sees a fantastic programme welcoming some of the best street performers, contemporary circus acts, dancers, musicians and walkabout shows from Europe and the UK to Devizes. Come along and join the audience to be amazed, surprised and entertained over the August Bank Holiday. Sunday 26th on the Green and Monday 27th on the Market Place.

Wed 29 Aug Carnival 2018: Colour Rush

Back for 2018, the Carnival Colour Rush takes place on the 29th of August. Originating from the Indian festival of Holi or the “Festival of Colour”, the festival signifies the victory of good over evil, the arrival of spring, and for many a festive day to meet others, play and laugh – a perfect event to compliment the Confetti Battle where the Colour Rush ends.

Registration takes place from 5.45pm, warm-up from 6.15 and the race starts at 6.30. The event is sponsored by Fantasy Radio - find out more details and how to register online at docadevizes.org.uk

Wed 29 Aug Carnival 2018: Confetti Battle

After the Colour Rush, stick around for the annual traditional Confetti Battle. No one can remember the first official battle but we know its roots date back to the old Devizes Carnival in 1913, where confetti and rose petals were thrown by the crowd at people in the procession. The tradition evolved into a fully-fledged battle around 1955 when it was started by Jim Jennings. Entertainment from 7.30pm, the battle commences at 8pm in the Market Place.

September

Sat 1 Sep Carnival 2018: Carnival Parade

The Devizes Carnival Parade rounds off Carnival Fortnight, on Saturday the 1st of September. The parade sets off from The Green at 6pm, bringing the town alive with vibrant walking groups, floats, bands and more with thousands of people lining the streets along the 2km route. Fantasy Radio brings a live commentary to the airwaves for those that can't make it - listen to 97FM, online, or come an join us along the route.

Thu 6 Sep Devizes Moonrakers Comedy Night

The Funny Stuff returns for September at the Devizes Moonrakers Comedy Night held at The Bear Hotel Cellar Bar on Thursday the 6th of September.

M/C Ed Pownal presents a brilliant night of comedy with Sy Thomas: an actor, presenter, stand-up comedian, writer, filmmaker TV audience warm-up man, and a deceptively competent table-tennis player.

Richard Lindesay will also be there with a quirky mix of sharp one-liners, visual gags, and facial dexterity. Richard has entertained comedy clubs throughout Australia and UK, and more recently in his home country of New Zealand.

Headlining is Leo Kearse, part of the new wave of raw, bold, American-inspired comedians taking the big UK clubs by storm. He's written for BBC comedy including the Breaking The News and Sam Delaney's News Thing.

Tickets are just £10 from The Bear Hotel, Devizes Books, The British Lion, The Southgate Inn, The Vaults and on-line at We Got Tickets.

Sat 8 Sep Hamilton Loomis Band

The Long Street Blues Club in Devizes hosts the Hamilton Loomis Band on Saturday the 8th of September, the first gig of its 11th season. A fantastic band from Texas USA, with full support. Doors open at 7.45pm with the main band starting at 9.15pm. Tickets are £16 from Devizes Conservative Club, Devizes Books and Sound Knowledge in Marlborough or online at longstreetbluesclub.co.uk

Fri 21 Sep Cracked Machine & The Compact Pussycat

At The Lamb Inn, St Johns St, Live Realm is bringing the best upcoming bands and musicians to you in conjunction with Vinyl Realm Music Shop.

Experience the vibrant and uniqueness that is The Compact Pussycat, the wotn's very own top notch local Indie band, destined to rock the stars! Salamander brings 'punk baroque' style acoustic eccentricity, combining simple strumming techniques with swooping melodies and lyrical intrigue. Then finish the evening in style, with the unmistakable sound of Cracked Machine, fresh from Psyka Festival in Germany. Absorb yourself in their uber addictive psychedelic rock!

Tickets £5 in advance or £7 on the door, available online via Eventbrite now from Vinyl Realm Music Shop.

October

27-28 Oct Monster Trail

The very scary Worton Monster Trail takes place on the 27th and 28th of October, at Worton Village Hall. It's a family friendly monster-themed scarecrow trail. Come and wander around the village to find the monsters malingering in the gardens and try to guess who they are. Prizes will be given for the most correct guesses drawn at random. It's just £2 per person entry fee, and the trail starts from the village hall, running from 11am - 4pm

November

Fri 30 Nov Lantern Parade & Christmas Festival

Attracting crowds of over to 3,500 and celebrating the start of the festive season, The Lantern Parade and Christmas Festival boasts one of the region’s most spectacular lantern processions. A river of hundreds of beautiful creations, made by our talented local participants wind its way through the town, collect Father Christmas en-route and arrive back in the Market Place for the Devizes Christmas Lights switch on. Christmas Markets run all day in the Market Place and the Corn Exchange to help get you into the festive spirit. Friday the 30th of November, with events taking place across town.