What's on in Dorset
Looking to find out what's on in Dorset? You’ve come to the right place as we've got a fantastic year round events calendar for you to enjoy. Our vibrant county plays host to an amazing array of events from the mildly eccentric to the world famous .
Country life is showcased at the many county shows and country fairs throughout Dorset, where prize animals parade, and the thrill of the fairground beckons. Regattas also take place in our coastal towns, each bringing its own celebrations and a bucket-load of traditional seaside fun for the whole family to enjoy.
Add to the mix fantastic beaches, beautiful countryside and great attractions, and you can see why there are always plenty of reasons to visit.
Amazing music and food festivals with a celebrity twist!
If you are looking to see what's on in Dorset music and food wise, why not soak up the atmosphere and swing into action at one of Dorset’s many music festivals – choose from folk, jazz, classical or a well renowned festival, such as Camp Bestival, which attracts A-list entertainers to its centre stage.
There’s always a mouth watering abundance of local produce on offer at country fairs and food festivals across Dorset to tantalise your taste buds. Plus, you can pick up tips at demonstrations by celebrity and award winning chefs!
If you’re a seafood lover then make sure you don’t miss out on the award winning Dorset Seafood Festival, the UK’s largest seafood festival. Just picture yourself savouring a feast of seafood in the picturesque setting of Weymouth peninsula whilst enjoying the warm and welcoming atmosphere – sound good?
Perfect for families, thrill seekers and explorers alike!
Love the great outdoors? Why not embrace Dorset’s wonderful scenery at a walking festival or join a guided fossil walk and let your inner explorer loose!
The fun isn’t just on the ground! Let the pilots of the world famous Red Arrows and Black Cats wow you with incredible aerobatics and hair raising stunts or fly a kite to the highest height at a kite festival!
Or perhaps you want to experience something a little more unique? Why not have a go at a chilli eating competition?
Cracking comedy and vibrant cultural scene to titillate and delight!
The arts are all around you in Dorset with musical performances, sparkling productions and arts and film festivals to inspire and surprise you.
Why not catch a top comedian in a cosy Dorset venue and be the first to see their set as they warm-up for a national tour?
This may be one of the most peaceful parts of the country but it buzzes with activity throughout the year!
Simply use the ‘What’s On’ search facility to search our list of events.
Why not stay a while and book your accommodation today!
Make the most of Dorset’s fantastic events calendar and book a break to Dorset.
We have plenty of accommodation for you to choose from – chic hotels, homely B&Bs, cosy self catering cottages and pretty holiday parks.
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Abbotsbury Swannery Brambly Hedge Trail
NEW for the 2024 season at the Abbotsbury Swannery is the Brambly Hedge Trail. Brambly Hedge is a collection of children's stories and illustrations by author Jill Barklem. The books follow the...
Beautiful Bournemouth Mini Exhibition
Step back in time and explore recognisable Bournemouth scenes through the years, from our collection. In this mini exhibition, we will be exhibiting watercolours and lithographs from notable Dorset...
Bright and Bold: Celebrating the Dorset Landscape
The next solo exhibition at Lyme Regis Museum's Rotunda Gallery, running from 30 January till 31 March, is Miranda Pender's vibrant collection of semi-abstract Dorset landscapes. Recognisable...
Events at Durlston Country Park: 'Sea Change': Exhibition by Carrie Mason
Poole 'Sea Change': Exhibition by Carrie Mason 10am-4pm An exhibition of drawing, print and sculpture by Carrie Mason exploring the transformational effect of the sea on both...
Events at Durlston Country Park: Cuppa and Chat
Cuppa and Chat Enjoy a cuppa, make new friends and enjoy the lovely woodland setting of the Durlston ‘Shed’. Just drop in and say hello to our ‘Sheddies’. FREE....
Events at Durlston Country Park: Park Run
Free Weekly Park Run, Every Saturday at 9am Get fit in a great location! Durlston Country Park is now host to Park Run every Saturday. Parkruns are free, weekly, community events all around the world....
Historical Tour and Cream Tea in Brownsea Castle
Discover the intriguing history of Brownsea Island with one of our knowledgeable guides, who will take you on a journey back in time. Learn about the castle's eccentric past residents, royalty,...
Major New Exhibition Celebrates the British Motorcycling Story
Haynes Motor Museum are set to unveil a major new exhibition telling the story of British motorcycling from its origins to the modern day. 'Life on Two Wheels: The British Motorcycling Story',...
Mothers Day Activities - Archery and Axe Throwing
Treat Mum like a Medieval Warrior Queen this Mother's Day! Spoil her with an unforgettable Mother's Day experience she'll truly treasure: the Medieval Trio with Insight Activities Dorset!...
Pieces Of Our Past
Come and experience the history of the Castle, from Harry Gordon Selfridge's visitor book to Lady Louisa's diary, this exhibition highlights never before seen photographs and artefacts
Pliosaur - The Terrifying Sea-Rex
The Home of Attenborough's Giant Sea Monster! On the back of the incredible BBC documentary 'Attenborough and the Giant Sea Monster' we are very excited to share our amazing Pliosaur skull...
Printmaking Linocut Workshop
In this introduction to printmaking learn how to create a Linocut design that can be used to make your own hand-printed cards or stationery. Inspired by the Museum's 'Stationers Shop' and...
Siam Photography Exhibition At The Russell Cotes
Step back in time and immerse yourself in the wonders of 19th-century Southeast Asia as seen through the lens of the intrepid adventurer and photographer, John Thomson. The Russell-Cotes Art Gallery...
Step into the Seahorse Hotel
Visit the Seahorse Hotel. Step into the Seahorse Hotel this February half-term and have fun learning all about these amazing animals! Join us at our Seahorse Hotel event and meet these incredible...
Trinity Buoy Wharf Drawing Prize
The Trinity Buoy Wharf Drawing Prize has an established reputation as the UK's most important annual open exhibition for drawing. Founded in 1994, the Drawing Prize celebrates talent and...
Watersports Holiday Club
Discover our action-packed sailing & watersports holiday clubs for kids aged 7 to 15, created to get more young people out on the water! Each day runs from 09:30-16:30 with a mixture of watersport...
West Bay in the War
Our new pop up exhibition 'West Bay at War' will open on Sunday 11th November and run until just after the 80th Anniversary of D Day in June 2024. The exhibition will feature both existing and...
Willow Hare Workshops with Jo Sadler
Come and make a bouncing, leaping Mad Hare sculpture for your home or garden with local willow artist, Jo Sadler. Using locally sourced willow from Somerset, you will learn the fundamentals of willow...
Beethoven's Fifth
It is in the Fifth Symphony that you truly encounter the genius of Beethoven through the musical manifestations of his intimate thoughts, his secret sorrows and his intensely concentrated rage. If...
Bob Whitley and Lee MacKenzie - Anne Boleyn Wolf at the Door
Written and Composed by Bob Whitley. Performed by Bob Whitley and Lee MacKenzie.. Bob Whitley (guitar, tenor guitar and mandola) and Lee MacKenzie (baroque cello) take us back to the 16th Century and...
Why notstay a while?
Beach Staycation Dorset
The property is situated in the Bournemouth area, perfect for weekend getaway, business trip, staycation, work-from-home alternative, or cosy home base while exploring everything Bournemouth has to...
Berehayes Holiday Cottages
Berehayes has 8 holiday cottages set in a tranquil rural village just 2 miles from the beaches of the World Heritage Jurassic Coast in West Dorset and 5 miles from the Devon...
Bookham Court
Bookham Court Holiday Cottages enjoy panoramic views over Thomas Hardy's Blackmore Vale in Dorset. Lying in an area of outstanding natural beauty, Bookham Court Holiday Cottages are...
Brace of Pheasants
Nestled in the Plush Valley just off the Wessex Ridgeway, The Brace is the quintessential Old English thatched country pub. The perfect location to enjoy a break away from it all. The village is...
Bradle Farmhouse
Bradle Farm lies in a valley 3 miles west of Corfe Castle surrounded by the Purbeck Hills in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Whilst the original farmhouse and farm are mentioned in the Doomsday...
Cliff Cottage
4 Star VisitEngland Grading: 84% Gold Award Lyme seafront cottage for four with private parking, Cliff Cottage is one of the quaint pink cottages seconds away from...
Cogden Cottages
The Cogden Cottages are absolute sea view beach front family sized cottages. They are modelled from a former Victorian coastguard station which means they have the most fabulous views of all of Lyme...
Coppet Hill
Just three miles from the Jurassic Coast, and surrounded by some of Dorset’s most spectacular hills, our 600-acre family farm is a peaceful haven for walkers, campers and wildlife lovers. Our...
Corfe and Purbeck Holidays
Corfe & Purbeck Holidays specialise in letting quality self catering holiday properties in the beautiful Isle of Purbeck, Dorset. All of our our cottages are well equipped, comfortably...
Doles Ash Farm Holiday Cottages
Located in the heart of Hardy’s Dorset, Doles Ash Farm Holiday Cottages offers a relaxing break surrounded by beautiful countryside and set in 12 acres of West Dorset’s Piddle Valley. No...
Dorset Forest Garden Glamping
At the head of a long valley, overlooking Eggardon Iron Age Hill Fort in the heart of Dorset’s Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and without so much as a hamlet in sight, a stay at Dorset...
Dorset Hideaways
Dorset Hideaways is a Holiday Cottage Agency showcasing a range of properties from cosy cottages crammed full of Dorset charm to luxury retreats oozing with coastal chic. Our aim is to make it easy...
Gloucester House
Gloucester House is a beautiful, Boutique, AA 4 * Gold, Townhouse, dating back to 1790 and forms part of Weymouth’s Georgian terraced seafront. Commanding a prime position with unbroken views...
Grand Hotel
Located in the heart of the Isle of Purbeck, The Grand Hotel has stunning views across the bay and has direct access from the gardens to the private beach. The Burlington Health Spa and...
Graston Farm Cottages
Graston Farm Cottages are set in the beautiful Bride Valley and are in an ideal position for walking and cycling with just a 30 minute walk to the coast. There are numerous footpaths crossing the...
Kingston Country Courtyard
Kingston Country Courtyard is a 16th century B&B accommodation. We have 25 rooms located around two courtyards with car parking facilities onsite. We have a wide variety of rooms available these...
Loose Reins
Loose Reins is where the world slows down. It’s where the daily grind is left at the gate and a place of experience, discovery and relaxation opens up. It’s where you reconnect, come...
Millbrook Guest House
Millbrook is a family run B&B that has been providing accommodation to holiday makers and visitors to the area for over one hundred years. We offer modern rooms, with free wi-fi and our own...
Newlands Holiday Park
Newlands is a family run park located in the picturesque World Heritage village of Charmouth, just a stones throw from the fossil-rich Jurassic Coast near the Dorset/Devon border. Set in 23 acres of...
Orchid Cottage
Orchid Cottage in Axmouth village near Seaton, East Devon, right on the Dorset border, just six miles from Lyme Regis. Orchid Cottage dates back, at least to, the 19th Century, when it was part of the...