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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 Jul 13

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...

Summer Family Activities in Dorset Jul 13

Summer Family Activities in Dorset

Looking for an unforgettable family adventure this summer in Dorset? Look no further than Insight Activities Dorset, near Wareham. Our Medieval Trio activity is the ultimate summer holiday experience,...

A Folk Song Walk Jul 15

A Folk Song Walk

Join local folk singer Alastair Braidwood for walks in the countryside close to Dorchester, accompanied by traditional folk songs from Dorset and further afield. Explore a beautiful part of the...

Roman Dorchester Walk Jul 15

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....

Tolpuddle Martyrs' Festival Jul 18

Tolpuddle Martyrs' Festival

Tolpuddle has been a place of great importance to the Labour Movement from the moment news broke of the harsh sentences imposed on the six farm workers from Dorset which led to the early inception of...

Archaeology at the Archives Jul 19

Archaeology at the Archives

Drop in to meet the archaeologists at a FREE event at the Dorset History centre with finds to see and touch and displays on local archaeology projects. Meet volunteer groups including Past Participate...

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