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!

Jan 18

Choral Eucharist

You are warmly invited to our cathedral-style service of Choral Eucharist on Sunday 18th January at 10.30am in St Peter's Church, Dorchester. The music includes: Victoria's 'Missa o magnum...

Jan 18

Winter In Thorncombe Wood

Hardy's Birthplace Visitor Centre and Thorncombe Woods

❄️ Discover Nature on Our FREE Family Trail! Bring the whole family and explore our beautiful reserve on a fun and informative discovery trail. Pick up a pocket map from the car park or Visitor Centre...

Jan 22

Sarah McQuaid

Sarah McQuaid's lush, velvety voice combines with her engaging personality and "brilliant musicianship" (fRoots) on acoustic and electric guitars, keyboards and (occasionally) drum to...

Jan 22

Sarah McQuaid

"Stunning vocals… engaging narrative with the audience; an all-round musical treat." – Beaford Arts Rural Touring Sarah McQuaid's stunning and distinctive vocals combine with her...

Jan 22

Woodland Wander

Hardy's Birthplace Visitor Centre and Thorncombe Woods

Join Our Ranger-Led Seasonal Strolls! Discover the beauty of the reserve as it transforms through the seasons on these gentle, guided walks. Each stroll is unique, shaped by nature's changes and...