
WHERE: Croyde beach.
AIMED AT: Anyone and everyone, especially lovers of sand and great music.
MAIN ACTS: Xavier Rudd, Bastille, Novacane, Peter Bruntnell, Dan Greenaway, Sam Mayo & The Tuesday Syndicate, Willy Mason, Gabrielle Aplin, Stringer Bessant Band, The Other Tribe, Canyon Ride, Brother and Bones, Rebelution, Winter Mountain, Matthew & Me, Ryan Keen.
FACILITIES/EXTRAS: Surfing contests and exhibitions, beach volleyball, football, skating, Ultimate Frisbee, Big Boy Paddle Race, North Devon Schools Education Day. Accommodation available at Croyde Ruda and various other campsites and hotels/B&Bs.
COST: £50 (adult), £38 (under 18), £5 (under 6), £138 (family, 2 adults 2 children).
WEBSITE: www.goldcoast oceanfest.co.uk
For 15 years GoldCoast has been the highlight of summer for many North Devon residents. With its surfing shows and tournaments, sporting events and past lineups including Ben Howard, Newton Faulkner and Seasick Steve, it never fails to deliver. Who needs Glastonbury when all this is within arm's reach?
WHERE: Dulverton, Somerset.
AIMED AT: Anyone and everyone, but folk music and dance is the focus.
MAIN ACTS: Back To Square One, Galley Beggar, Devonbird, Jim Causley, Trefellas, OK Brandy, Chloe and Barry Hunt, Luke & Orla, Polden Ridge Mountain Boys, No Fixed Abode.
FACILITIES/EXTRAS: Morris dancing, music, dancing and storytelling workshops, children's entertainment, campers' breakfasts, food and drink, open-mic, camping, local accommodation.
COST: Free. Campsite: £5 (adult), £1 (child).
WEBSITE: www.dulvertonfolkfestival. net
The Devon-Somerset border town of Dulverton becomes a hive of fun-filled frolics and friendliness for three, entry-charge-free days tomorrow. The folk music, dance and storytelling are a celebration of Celtic culture which is very much alive in this festival. With the local pubs and cafés joining in, there is something for the whole family. Entertainingly Different provide a cavalcade of activities for the tiny youngsters.
WHERE: Porth, Newquay, Cornwall.
AIMED AT: Dance/hip hop/techno/house fans. Custom car and VW lovers.
MAIN ACTS: Sub Focus (DJ Set) & ID, Kissy Sell Out, DJ Fresh, DJ Hype, Micky Slim Feat. Majestic, Mistajam, Brookes Brothers, Dismantle, Monsta, DJ Majik and Wickaman, MC Majestic, Hannah Jacques, Hanah Wants, Jay Funk.
FACILITIES/EXTRAS: Show 'n' Shine car show, comedy, acoustic music.
COST: £75 (adult), £32.50 (child), £28 (day tickets).
WEBSITE: www.runtothesun.co.uk
Since 1987 this has become one of Europe's biggest custom car and dance festivals. Sadly, this year will be the last.
WHERE: Near Bath, Somerset.
AIMED AT: Alternatives, green-living types.
MAIN ACTS: Dub Pistols, The Beat, Utah Saints, Eat Static, Too Many T's, Jaymo & Andy George, Neville Staple Band, Krafty Kuts, Gadjo, The Egg, A Skillz, The Freestylers, Lou Rhodes (Lamb), Laughing Buddha, E.V.P, Andy Smith.
FACILITIES/EXTRAS: Theatre, film, children's play area and activities, dance tents, art & crafts, spiritual/environmental workshops, talks.
COST: £115 (adult), £70 (teen), £25 (child), £255 (family).
WEBSITE: www.sunrisefestivals.co.uk
Geared towards the free spirits and ecologically aware, Sunrise is perhaps what Glastonbury was originally before it became the commercial monster it is today. It showcases a more underground lineup of acts, but fans of such acts will relish the fact they are taking centre stage and the cost, compared to other big festivals, is a big draw.
WHERE: The Strand, Barnstaple, 11am to 4pm.
AIMED AT: Lovers of world music and culture.
MAIN ACTS: Percussion Orchestra, The Wanderers, Muktar Ahmed, Dogleg, Dave Clinch, Kawsar Chowdhury, Navila Hassan, RSVP, Wings Street Dance, Flamenco.
FACILITIES/EXTRAS: Live international fashion show, worldwide food stalls, henna tattoo and face painting, yoga, children's storytelling, Vietnamese nail varnishing.
COST: Free, organised by North Devon Sunrise.
WEBSITE: www.northdevonsunrise. org
Formerly part of North Devon Festival known as Cultural Diversity Fair, this one-day festival celebrates multiculturalism with music, food and a variety of attractions. North Devon Sunrise is a support organisation for black and minority (BME) communities.
WHERE: The Beggar's Roost, Barbrook, Lynton.
AIMED AT: All ages and tastes.
MAIN ACTS: Digital Natives, Atraxis Vibration, Chris Millington, Quitesnake, Dave Sharp (The Alarm), Hangfire, This Devastated Fan, Falling Apart, Despite Water.
FACILITIES/EXTRAS: Fair rides, stalls, food and drink, free camping.
COST: Free entry, supporting Calvert Trust Exmoor.
WEBSITE: www.calvert-trust.org.uk/ exmoor/calvertstock
This one day, free festival is in support of Calvert Trust Exmoor, which is an outdoor activity location for the disabled. Following the success of the first Calvertstock last summer, the festival is back to showcase some of the best of North Devon talent and some great bands from further afield. Perfect for a spur-of-the-moment outing, it's a free of charge local event that would be stupid to miss. If the dreaded rain pays a visit (which is always likely in these climes) then no fear: the inside bar area will be open.
WHERE: Worthy Farm, Pilton, Somerset.
AIMED AT: Everyone and more.
MAIN ACTS: The Rolling Stones, Arctic Monkeys, Mumford & Sons, Dizzee Rascal, Portishead, Chase & Status, The xx, The Smashing Pumpkins, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, Vampire Weekend, Primal Scream, Kenny Rogers.
FACILITIES/EXTRAS: Extensive camping, children's areas, food/wellbeing/spiritual tents and stalls, workshops, comedy, theatre, film, fair rides, poetry, and far more. The list is endless.
COST: Sold out.
WEBSITE: www.glastonburyfestivals. co.uk
The absolute king of festivals, both here and across the Earth. Covering over 1,000 acres with a fence of eight miles, it's the size of a small town. Many have tried and failed to see everything there is to see at Glasto, but the biggest pull is, and always has been, the music. To headline is like winning a Mercury Music or Brit award for bands such is its esteem. But let's not forget the Earth-loving ideals the festival was founded on, and still propagates in the Green Fields and sponsorship by Greenpeace, Oxfam and WaterAid.
WHERE: Charlton Park, Malmesbury, Wiltshire.
AIMED AT: Lovers of world music.
MAIN ACTS: The Heavy, Seun Kuti & Egypt 80, Parov Stelar Band, Toots & The Maytals.
FACILITIES/EXTRAS: International cuisine, dance/yoga workshops, children's activities, global fairtrade market, spas/wellbeing centres.
COST: £145 (adult), £75 (teen), £25 (Thursday only). Children go FREE.
WEBSITE: www.womad.co.uk
Since the 1980s WOMAD has showcased the best in world music, with the aim of celebrating multiculturalism and spreading knowledge of the planet's cultures and practices.
WHERE: Lulworth Castle, Dorset.
AIMED AT: Discerning music lovers, often with families.
MAIN ACTS: Richard Hawley, The Levellers, Grandmaster Flash, Labrinth, Mark Owen, Heaven 17, The Proclaimers, The Polyphonic Spree, I Am Kloot, Billy Bragg, John Cooper Clarke, DJ Yoda, The Farm, Musical Youth, The 1975, Labrinth, Kid Creole & The Coconuts, Sasha, Fabio & Grooverider.
FACILITIES/EXTRAS: The kids' area is a festival in itself with music, theatre, circus, arts & crafts, various activities and the pioneering Breastival Mother and Baby Chill Out area. Children's faves such as Horrible Histories, Mr Tumble and Dick & Dom will be putting on shows. For the grown-ups there is a fine line-up of comedians including Alan Davies and Boothby Graffoe and a cavalcade of speakers in The Guardian Literary Institute tent such as Howard Marks, Jo Wiley and even Eddie 'The Eagle' Edwards. Activity-wise, there are sports tournaments, fim-making workshops, art, song and dance, nature trails and a litany of stalls.
COST: Weekend £180-£190 (adult), concessions for students and young people. Children under 10 free.
WEBSITE: www.campbestival.net
For those who think Glastonbury is just too big and those who want to bring children to somewhere that isn't too raucous, Bestival is the prime target. It's eclectic mix of music and attractions has made it a scaled-down version of the great Somerset festival, but its size makes it more accessible to some. It's the perfect mix of good music and family-orientated fun.
WHERE: Fistral Beach/Watergate Bay, Newquay, Cornwall.
AIMED AT: Surfers, skaters, mainly young people.
MAIN ACTS: Basement Jaxx, The Vaccines, Ben Howard, Everything Everything, Grandmaster Flash, Miles Kane, The Breaks Collective, Tom Odell, DJs Benga and MistaJam, The Joy Formidable, Delphic, Frightened Rabbit, We Are The Ocean, Fenech Soler, MJ Cole, Hudson Taylor, Ahab.
FACILITIES/EXTRAS: Camping, close proximity to the 2013 UK Pro Surf Tour, beach bar, boutique stalls, art installations, skate and BMX ramps. Shuttle bus, close to railway stations and road networks.
COST: Day £39-£69, weekend £109-£129.
WEBSITE: www.boardmasters.co.uk
Boardmasters is the perfect seaside festival with three days of sun (hopefully), surf (definitely) and music (certainly). With a variety of stages showcasing top acts, and the added bonus of the UK Pro Surf Tour taking place at the same location and time, there really is a ram-packed schedule.
WHERE: South Zeal, Dartmoor.
AIMED AT: Folkies, but anyone.
MAIN ACTS: Jim Moray, Old Swan Band, Brendan Power & Tim Edey, Trio Thelfall, Peter & Barbara Snape, Lauren McCormick Band, Gadarene, Keith Donnelly, Jim Causley & Nick Marshall, Dartmoor Pixie Band, Tony Beard, Entertainingly Different, Dave Wills.
FACILITIES/EXTRAS: Morris dancing, ceilidh, ramble on Dartmoor, folk service, craft displays, children's festival, music hall, pub sessions, music/dance workshops, Dartmoor Broom Dance/Stepdance Championships, camping.
COST: £35/£45 (adult/camping), £16/£20 (child/camping), £20 (adult day), £10 (child day).
WEBSITE: www.dartmoorfolkfestival. co.uk
Local Bob Cann started this festival 36 years ago with the intention of reviving and preserving the traditions of Dartmoor. This dream is fulfilled every year with the music, dance and crafts of the area being its basis and the relaxed, friendly atmosphere a great draw. Great for young and old alike.
WHERE: Escot Park, Near Fairmile, South Devon.
AIMED AT: Anyone and everyone, but family-friendly.
MAIN ACTS: Primal Scream, Ocean Colour Scene, The Levellers, Sinead O' Connor, Arrested Development, Roy Harper, Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel, Imelda May, The Skatalites, The Wonder Stuff, Clannad, The Selecter.
FACILITIES/EXTRAS: Theatre, art, large children's area, comedy, health & fitness, bars, stalls, disabled access.
COST: £120 (adult), £60 (10-16), £30 (5-10), £5 (under 5).
WEBSITE: www.beautifuldays.org
The Levellers began this festival in 2003 with the intention of providing a family-friendly, safe environment with great music. Last year it was in the Festival Awards top ten for Grass Roots Festival and Best Toilets, so it seems to be accomplishing this aim. The lineup is full of household names too, so there's something for everyone. It also has no corporate sponsorship, suggesting its reputation is strong enough without it.
WHERE: Landmark Theatre, Ilfracombe.
AIMED AT: Anyone and everyone, not just beer lovers.
MAIN ACTS: Mango Factory, The Liquidators, Pete's Gone Straight Edge, Hip Route, Rosco Levee, October, Jenna.
FACILITIES/EXTRAS: A vast selection of real ales and ciders, children's entertainment/rides/attractions, food, various stalls and the culmination of the North Devon Mini Rally.
COST: Free.
WEBSITE: www.facebook.com/land markbeerfestival or www.northdevon theatres.org.uk
The twice-yearly Ilfracombe beerfest is not just about enjoying alcoholic delights, it's about music and summer sun too. But if Mr Sun doesn't have his hat on then no matter, the bands and attractions have it covered. The culmination of the North Devon Mini Rally on Bank Holiday Monday is an added bonus to this free event.
WHERE: Bude, Cornwall.
AIMED AT: Anyone and everyone, but with obvious focus on jazz.
MAIN ACTS: Jeff Barnhart's Bude Beach Bum Band, Keith Nichols, Tom "Spats" Langham, John Hallam, George Huxley's all Star JB, Richard Leach's 7 Stars of Jazz, Paul Munnery, Des Bacon's Red Hot Syncopators.
FACILITIES/EXTRAS: Jazzbus service, accommodation, bus/rail transport links, food and drink establishments, beach in vicinity.
COST: £80 (4-day stroller ticket), £22 (day stroller).
WEBSITE: www.jazzfestivalbude.co.uk
This four-day celebration of traditional and New Orleans jazz takes place in a large number of venues across the Bude area. As well as the ticketed events featuring internationally-recognised musicians, there will be buskers, street entertainment and parades which are free to the public.
WHERE: Robin Hill Country Park, Isle of Wight.
AIMED AT: Everyone.
MAIN ACTS: Elton John, Snoop Dogg, Fatboy Slim, M.I.A, Franz Ferdinand, The Flaming Lips, The Knife, Wu-Tang Clan, Bombay Bicycle Club, The Roots, Belle & Sebastian, Jessie Ware, Disclosure, DJ Fresh/Live, Tom Odell, Rob Da Bank and Friends, Carl Cox, Richie Hawtin, Annie Mac Presents, Seth Troxler, A-Yo.
FACILITIES/EXTRAS: Comedy, theatre, children's entertainment, poetry, art, workshops, dance, cabaret, camping, ferry access to site.
COST: £190 (adult), children free. Other tickets from £127 to £316.
WEBSITE: www.2013.bestival.net
The bigger brother of Camp Bestival, the festival was set up by Radio 1 DJ Rob Da Bank and his wife Josie in 2004. It is fast becoming Glastonbury's closest rival with its eclectic mix of music and entertainment, and won the accolade of Best Major Festival last year and 2010, as well as the Fans Favourite Festival in 2011.
WHERE: Larmer Tree Gardens, North Dorset.
AIMED AT: Discerning music appreciators, artistic types.
MAIN ACTS: Sigur Ros, Belle and Sebastian, David Byrne & St Vincent, Eels, Warpaint, Dinosaur Jr, Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings, The Walkmen, Frightened Rabbit, Jens Lekman, Efterklang, Daughter, Polica.
FACILITIES/EXTRAS: Comedy, cinema, food and drink, artistic workshops, Ringo Music Bingo, games, competitions, boutique camping, bars, exhibitions.
COST: £175 (adult), £55 (campervan). All other tickets sold out.
WEBSITE: www.endoftheroadfestival. com
The independent organisers' main aim is to provide an intimate festival where the lineup does not consist of over-hyped bands. Instead it's their own favourites. Overall, it's a classy event wherein music takes pride of place and respect is shown to all guests and performers.
WHERE: Sixteen venues ranging from Ashbuton, South Devon to Dunster, Somerset.
AIMED AT: Classical music lovers.
MAIN ACTS: Not yet revealed.
FACILITIES/EXTRAS: Local accommodation, travel links, moors walks.
COST: Depending on concert, ranging from £2-£28.
WEBSITE: www.thetwomoorsfestival. co.uk
Two Moors, now in its 13th year, showcases the finest in UK and international classical music and had 5000 visitors last year. Classic FM described it as "a jewel in the classical music festival crown", and as such it is a much-needed boost to the local economy.
The highlight of the festival is its concert at Exeter Cathedral. Reported by This is 22 hours ago.