Abbfest is an annual family festival, held this year from the 14-17 September at Fermoy’s Garden Centre, near Newton Abbot.

Each year the volunteers strive to make the festival ever bigger and better and we think 2023 won’t disappoint you.

Abbfest doesn’t like to be pigeon holed, this year they are providing: Cookery Demonstrations on Saturday and Sunday, Craft Stalls, Street Food and over 13 live music acts. Local celebrities; Ann Widdicome and David Fitzgerald will be making an appearance.

The festival features one of the finest Beer and Cider festivals in the area, with over 200 beers and ciders to choose from. Plus with Gin, Wine and Pimms, there’s plenty to wet your whistle. And a key attraction is the free bus service between the site and Newton Abbot train station.

The Thursday Comedy night, was introduced last year and proved so popular, that “the Surgery” team of comedians will be back again.

Whilst Sunday is very much a family day, and as well as the usual craft stalls and live music, this year they’ll be; youth bands, an inter pub tug of war contest and an inflatable village (Mane Events - Stay & Play area). Also this year’s raffle is the biggest ever.

Abbfest started initially, just to raise funds for Abbotskerswell church repairs, but grew quickly and formed a charity. When the festival outgrew the local cricket ground, it was able to secure a field adjacent to Fermoy’s Garden Centre, where it is held today. Now the Charity is entirely run by volunteers, with the objective of providing “affordable community entertainment”, whilst raising money for good causes. Since it began, Abbfest has raised over £250,000, the funds raised being dispersed to local charities.

It now requires an army of volunteers, organised by a committee and overseen by a group of trustees, who ensure that the festival remains true to its objectives, all of whom give their time for free. And they’re extremely grateful for their incredible support of their sponsors, without whom this couldn’t happen.

So by attending Abbfest you can be assured of a good time in the knowledge that you are contributing to the local community. To find out more (and buy tickets), please go to Abbfest.org.