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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

Christmas In Dorchester Dec 05

Christmas In Dorchester

‘Tis the season to be jolly and Dorset’s county town will certainly be spreading the Christmas cheer to one and all this year. From ice skating in the square, Christmas markets and choral...

Dorchester Christmas Market Dec 05

Dorchester Christmas Market

Brewery Square has to transform into a winter wonderland, bursting with 30 festive stalls packed with artisan treats. Take the kids to meet Santa and enjoy fabulous live music, Christmas carols &...

Greg Lawson & Phil Alexander - Lev's Violin Dec 05

Greg Lawson & Phil Alexander - Lev's Violin

Born with a beautiful sound but no name, Lev's Violin was valued as worthless. Although its origins remained a mystery, many tales were attached to Lev's Violin, some true and some wonderfully...

Natalie Inside Out Dec 05

Natalie Inside Out

Playful, beautiful and highly skilled, Natalie Inside Out is a unique collaboration between world-class hand-balancer Natalie Reckert and digital artist Mark Morreau, using technology and video...

Solene Weinachter - After All Dec 05

Solene Weinachter - After All

After All is a celebration of our vulnerable and courageous existence by dancer Solène Weinachter. Acclaimed performer Solène Weinachter melds dance, comedy, storytelling, and theatre to ask...

Greg Lawson & Phil Alexander - Lev's Violin Dec 06

Greg Lawson & Phil Alexander - Lev's Violin

Born with a beautiful sound but no name, Lev's Violin was valued as worthless. Although its origins remained a mystery, many tales were attached to Lev's Violin, some true and some wonderfully...

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