Thousands of people packed a popular bank holiday festival as record crowds helped raise more than £35,000 for charity, organisers have revealed.
Ilfracombe Beer & Music Fest attracted huge numbers to the green outside the Landmark Theatre over the bank holiday weekend, with organisers saying it was the most successful event in the festival’s history. Early calculations suggest the event raised well over £35,000 for local good causes.
Adam Sage, from Ilfracombe Round Table, which organises the festival, said: “We were blown away with how busy it was.
“By far, this has been the best Beer & Music Fest we have ever done.
“We want to thank every single person who played a role in this success, because after early calculations, we look to have raised well over £35,000 for local good causes. That is an incredible result and will make a real difference in our community.”
The festival, which ran from Friday until Sunday of the bank holiday weekend, drew thousands of visitors and featured free live music, DJs and more than 100 local beers and ciders. Demand was so high that organisers had to restock supplies overnight.
The largest donation from this year’s fundraising efforts will go to Care For Kids North Devon, which has been named the event’s main beneficiary for 2026.
Adam said: “We will distribute the money raised to many worthy local causes throughout the year, but the largest single donation will go towards the wonderful work of Care For Kids North Devon.
“They provide vital support to families when a child is affected by a serious illness. We hope that some of the funds raised through this event will help local people when it really matters.”
This was only the fourth staging of the Beer & Music Fest, which organisers say has quickly become one of the largest events of its kind in the South West.
Adam added: “We simply could not believe how many people came to the event this year, and it was incredible to see so many people of all ages having so much fun in the bank holiday sun.
“That is why we do this, to give the town an event to be proud of.
“But we also struggled to keep up with demand. So there was some early-morning dashes to our suppliers, to make sure we had enough to quench everyone’s thirst.”
Organisers also thanked sponsors, suppliers and volunteers for helping stage the event.
Adam said: “We are so grateful to a host of people, because we cannot make this happen alone.
“Then there is the 74 companies who sponsored our barrels, which means all the proceeds can go back into our community.
“Finally, to the people of Ilfracombe and North Devon who came out in their droves, we are so grateful and glad you all had so much fun.”
Ilfracombe Round Table said applications for funding are available through its website at ilfracombe-round-table.co.uk. The next Ilfracombe Beer & Music Fest is scheduled to take place from Friday, May 28 to Sunday, May 30, 2027. Companies interested in sponsorship can contact organisers via ilfracombe327@gmail.com.
