Light up your summer evenings with Dorset’s FREE fireworks displays this July and August!

The night sky is set to dazzle as colourful rockets whizz, bang and pop overhead. Kids and grown ups will love seeing the explosion of pyrotechnics, and as the events take place later in the evening, why not enjoy something to eat or drink in a nearby restaurant or bar beforehand.

The fireworks are always hugely popular events and perfect for adding a little sparkle to the end of a summers day.

All displays are subject to weather conditions, so please check in advance for any last minute changes to avoid disappointment.

Poole

Fireworks at Poole Quay in Dorset during the summer. Photo credit Owen Vachell.

© Owen Vachell

For 6 weeks during the summer holidays, head for Poole Quay to watch the dazzling fireworks above Poole Harbour.

On Thursday nights at 10pm, the quay will be filled with people eating, drinking and of course watching the fireworks. The displays take place on Thursdays 25 July, and 1 to 29 August 2024.

Standing on the quayside opposite the Jolly Sailor or Lord Nelson pubs will give great views. We recommend that you arrive early as there are lots of places to eat dinner all along the Quay, with live music starting at 7pm.

Want to watch the fireworks from the water? Jump onboard with City Cruises for a fireworks boat trip around the harbour.

Bournemouth

Take a seat on Bournemouth Beach or anywhere along the seafront and watch the firework display light up the sky over Bournemouth Pier.

Each year thousands of holidaymakers and locals flock to Bournemouth seafront to watch the fireworks, which will take place at 10pm on Fridays 26 July, and 2 to 23 August 2024.

There will also be fireworks at the end of the Bournemouth Air Festival night-time displays on Friday 30 and Saturday 31 August 2024 at 10pm.

Swanage

Fireworks over Swanage Bay in Dorset © Andy Lyons

The hugely popular Carnival and Regatta Week is 8 days of family fun, including games, races and the famous carnival procession.

On Saturday 27 July, Wednesday 31 July and Saturday 3 August 2024, there will be fireworks displays at 9:45pm from Banjo Pier on the beach.

If you want to be close to the action, the best places to sit are on Sandpit Field, anywhere along Shore Road and on the Recreation Ground by the bandstand.

The grassy areas on The Downs or at Prince Albert Gardens are also great viewing locations, and are a little further away for anyone who doesn’t like the loud bangs!

Swanage Railway will be running special evening train services for the firework displays, so you can travel in style (and save the hassle of finding somewhere to park) by jumping onboard one of their heritage diesel trains.

Weymouth

During 5 weeks of the summer holidays, you can watch colourful fireworks displays over Weymouth Beach at 9:30pm on Mondays 29 July, and 5 to 26 August 2024. You can see the fireworks from anywhere along Weymouth seafront.

To view the fireworks from the water, jump on catamaran Tortuga for a 2 hour cruise, including tea and coffee. You'll get a short sunset cruise beforehand and you can take your own food and drink onboard to enjoy during your cruise. Passenger numbers are limited to 8 people so everyone gets a nice seat and great view of the fireworks.

Lyme Regis

Fireworks over The Cobb harbour in Lyme Regis in Dorset

Be prepared to be delighted and dazzled by Lyme Regis' explosive summer firework display over the Harbour and famous Cobb!

The event takes place at the beginning of Lyme Regis Regatta and Carnival Week on Friday 2 August 2024 at 9:30pm.

There are plenty of places where you can watch from - Langmoor and Lister Gardens offer a fantastic viewing point or anywhere along the seafront near the sandy beach is also good.

Wareham

At Wareham Quay, the Wareham Wednesday events are held on the 7, 14, 21 and 28 August 2024.

Each week there’s live music, as well as themed events such as raft races and pirate invasions, plus a firework display at 10pm.

Follow the Wareham Wednesdays Facebook page for information and updates.

Christchurch

There’ll be two days of fun and entertainment at Christchurch Carnival, including live music, food and drink, a funfair and Carnival Parade.

The fireworks display will be on Saturday 10 August 2024 at 9:30am on Christchurch Quay. Get there early to enjoy the food and drink on offer, as well as the Elton John tribute show Rocketman which starts at 8pm.

Bridport

Bridport’s Carnival and Torchlight Procession takes place over two days.

On the second day (Sunday 18 August 2024) the torchlight procession will begin at 9pm from Bucky Doo Square, leading all the way down to the beach at West Bay.

Once at the beach, the torches will be thrown onto the bonfire and the live music will begin. The fireworks display happens at 10pm.