Events and Festivals in Blandford
Blandford is a town of history, arts and fantastic local food and drink. And the events and festivals which take place here during the year are fun for all ages, whatever your interest and budget.
Great Dorset Steam Fair
This is a well-known fixture in the Blandford events calendar and will next take place in August 2024.
The Fair has been running for over 50 years and regularly attracts more than 100,000 visitors over 5 days. As well as displays of all things steam powered, there is music, food and drink, heavy horses, vintage vehicles, a fun fair and more.
Culture and the arts
Performing arts comes to the small stage in Dorset’s countryside. Usually set within local village halls, all ages can watch fantastic live performances at affordable ticket prices.
The ArtsReach charity not only supports local venues but also local performers too and brings music, theatre and dance to rural Dorset.
Blandford Georgian Fayre
You’ll find streetside stalls, music, dancing and traditional fairground entertainment against the backdrop of Blandford’s grand architecture.
The Fayre is held every May and attracts many visitors to this pretty market town. You can also enjoy visiting the quaint and interesting local shops, cafes and restaurants.
Brewery Tours
The Hall and Woodhouse Brewery has been brewing real ales since 1777 and include the interestingly named Fursty Ferret, Hopping Hare and Cranborne Poacher – all part of the Badger Beer brand.
As well as taking a brewery tour and sampling some of the creations, there are also many Hall and Woodhouse pubs all over Dorset where you can enjoy a delicious lunch or dinner and stay overnight.
Blandford Literary Festival
First held in 2019, this festival is looking to grow year on year.
With both existing and new writers, the festival includes workshops, readings and competitions and will be a great addition to the Blandford events calendar.
Christmas in Blandford
The annual Yuletide Festival is a sight to behold. On one evening in December, Blandford is alive with carol singers, a lantern parade, street theatre, music and dancing. Father Christmas also pays a visit and the shops and streetside stalls are open late for those looking for unique and unusual Christmas presents.
During December, shops windows are decorated with Christmas scenes, Market Place is home to a huge Christmas trees and carol services take place at the parish church.
Events coming soon
Guided Snowdrop Walks
Join one of the Kingston Lacy volunteers on an exclusive walk down paths lined with carpets of snowdrops. Learn more about the many different varieties and discover their long history at Kingston...
Janice Burns and Jon Doran
Janice Burns and Jon Doran are an Anglo-Scottish duo who came together after discovering a shared love of traditional music. They find their songs in archives that span the depths of our history...
LaserTag Warzone
Laserguys Laser Tag is bringing the heat this February Half Term with our newest event - LASERTAG WARZONE! This February Half Term, gather your troops and storm our brand new fortress. Perfect for...
Paddleboat Theatre - Hansel & Gretel
Join Hansel and Gretel as they venture into the woods, trailing breadcrumbs and sharing their story as they go. The mischievous siblings are searching for the magical market at the heart of the forest...
Dorsetborn Theatre - Georgia and the Iceberg
Can you imagine spending your holiday in Antarctica? Or becoming best friends with a penguin? When Georgia goes to visit her big sister Helena, all she wants is to explore the big frozen continent...
Balbir Singh Dance Company - Love and Spice
An elderly couple, still very much in love, lookback on their lives together, reliving key moments through memories of the meals they shared. As the couple reminisce, their younger selves appear and...
The Gods Are All Here
Sparked by the discovery of a series of letters from his father in Nigeria to his mother in Wales, The Gods Are All Here is a compelling, lyrical and warm, one-man performance from first-class...
Bard in the Yard - The Scottish Play
William Shakespeare is stuck. Blank parchment stuck. He's trying to write a new masterpiece and has the weight of his company's eager return to the stage on his shoulders. What's more,...
The Ridgeway Singers and Band - Dorset Music Unboxed
Led by Phil Humphries and Tim Laycock, Dorset music group The Ridgeway Singers & Band has collaborated with the Dorset History Centre to bring to life traditional music, folksongs and carols from...
Callum Patrick Hughes - Thirst
A show about love – love of pubs, love of community, love of family. And a reminder that not everything you love is necessarily good for you. 'I don't have a drink problem. Drink has a...