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Events and Festivals in Dorchester

Are you searching for a place that buzzes with events all year round?

Well get ready to fill your days with festivals, fairs, shows, carnivals and concerts as Dorchester has them all!

Festival fever in Dorchester

Dorchester has a vibrant mix of festivals; the popular Thomas Hardy Victorian Fair in June, the Cider Festival in August and the Dorchester Literary Festival in the Autumn.

But the highlight of Dorchester’s calendar year has to be the Dorset County Show, an annual agricultural show featuring over 450 tradestands and a fantastic array of attractions. Drawing in the crowds are the spectacular main ring performances, the show jumping, the rousing scurry racing, the funfair and not forgetting of course all of the delicious food and shopping there is to be done.

Dorchester's seasonal events

No matter what the weather is doing, there’s always somewhere to go in Dorchester.

In February, welcome the newborn lambs into the world at Kingston Maurward’s lambing weekend and at Easter, hunt throughout the Dinosaur Museum to spot the dinosaur eggs and solve the mystery.

In the Summer, take the family and a picnic down to the Borough Gardens or Maumbury Rings and enjoy the live music events.

And at Christmas, the town is lit up and filled with the wonderful aroma of roasted chestnuts for the Christmas Cracker, Dorchester’s Christmas shopping event.

Market days in Dorchester

Wednesday is Dorchester’s market day so come and enjoy the lively atmosphere, pick up some fresh produce, clothes, plants, flowers, antiques, collectables and gifts.

A Country Market is held every Friday in Dorchester's Corn Exchange and a Farmers’ Market is also held at Poundbury’s Queen Mother Square on the first Saturday of the month. So, time your visit to Dorchester well and you’ll be in for some tasty treats!

Events coming soon

Dorchester: Small Town, Big History Sep 16

Dorchester: Small Town, Big History

Discover the historic charm of Dorchester, once known as ancient Durnovaria, on this captivating guided walk through 4,000 years of history. Winding through the heart of rural Dorset, this picturesque...

Inside Out Dorset Sep 16

Inside Out Dorset

Inside Out Dorset is bought to you by Activate Performing Arts. Extraordinary events in extraordinary places across Dorset. Inside Out Dorset is an international outdoor arts festival that takes place...

Lunchtime Concert Sep 20

Lunchtime Concert

Join us at St Peter's Church on Dorchester Saturday 20th September between 12.30pm and 1pm for our free lunchtime concert. This is a thirty-minute programme of music given by jazz pianist, Sam B...

Dorchester Heritage Open Day Sep 21

Dorchester Heritage Open Day

Dorchester Heritage Open Day is your chance to tour hidden places and join in with amazing guided walks for free! This year we have lots of behind the scenes experiences, walks and talks to book onto...

Heritage Open Day Sep 21

Heritage Open Day

Visit the home of the county's archives, to see plans, film and photos of Dorset's coastal architecture, with a nod to bridges and hives! Also on site - A chance to handle some of Dorset's...

Roman Dorchester Walk Sep 23

Roman Dorchester Walk

Step back in time with our trained guides and immerse yourself in the historic Roman town of Durnovaria… Scattered throughout the busy market town of Dorchester are traces of a Roman past....

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