First Thursdays comes to Gandy Street this summer

This summer, Gandy Street will come alive with the launch of First Thursdays - a brand-new monthly event bringing a vibrant festival atmosphere to the heart of Exeter.

Running from June to September on the first Thursday of each month, visitors can enjoy lively early evening entertainment, late-night shopping, live music, street performances, and a cocktail trail across one of the city’s most distinctive streets.

The first event takes place on Thursday 4th June, from 5pm–8pm, with cultural venues extending their opening hours and favourite independent businesses across Gandy Street and the surrounding area welcoming visitors for a fantastic evening in the city.

All your favourite businesses on Gandy Street and in the surrounding area will be open, including:

Indoor market

Boston Tea Pary will be hosting an indoor market with Circular Social, featuring stalls from eco-conscious businesses offering sustainable goods. The bar will be open for drinks and hashbrown style street food.

Food and drink

Red Panda will reopen for evening service with their favoured bao buns, Exeter Phoenix will be serving food alfresco, Pixy’s will be serving Soul Pizza by the slice and Chococo will have a host of mini treats including signature hot chocolate, mini gelato sundaes and quarter cakes.

Cocktails

With several of the city’s favourite cocktail bars on the street, First Thursdays was always going to include a cocktail. The Cocktail Club, Crocketts, Coolings, Pixy’s and The Mermaid have joined forces to create the Cocktail Collective, with each venue developing a signature drink for the event. Expect everything from pina coladas to limoncello-inspired flavours, all with a special twist.

Shopping

Many of the shops will be staying open late to join in on the action including Alchemy Boutique, Bang Olufsen, Flamingo Vintage, Floren Flowers and Wand Vintage. The Maker Mart will be holding a Makers Sale featuring ‘Meet the Maker’ and Mantis will have a table of offers exclusively for the event.

Entertainment

First Thursdays will bring a festival atmosphere to Gandy Street. The first event coincides with the Exeter Comedy Festival, with surprise comedy pop-ups and previews of upcoming shows throughout the evening. Visitors can also enjoy live music, jugglers and face painting, alongside pop-up Seed Talks from the University of Exeter, a Pilates demonstration from The Haven Pilates Studio, and more.

Exeter Phoenix

Experience creative activities spilling out of the front entrance, with dance demonstrations and various activities.

Exeter Library

Attend 'Writing in the City,' a live Royal Literary Fund panel featuring Edson Burton, Rebecca Tantony, and Babs Horton from 6:30pm to 7:30pm, with tickets at £4 including readings and urban writing discussion. The foyer area will also be open as a book nook.

Save the dates

There will be four First Thursdays events taking place across the summer:

• 4 June 2026
• 2 July 2026
• 6 August 2026
• 3 September 2026

Running from 5pm to 8pm, each event promises an exciting evening of entertainment, shopping, food, and culture, as Gandy Street transforms into a vibrant summer celebration in the heart of the city.