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!

Nov 15

Choral Eucharist

You are warmly invited to our cathedral-style service of Choral Eucharist on Sunday 15th November at 10.30am in St Peter's Church, Dorchester. The music includes: Victoria's 'O quam...

Nov 15

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...

Nov 15

Dressed for Duty: Fashion, Function and the British Army

Dorset Museum & Art Gallery

From scarlet red coats to modern camouflage jackets, military uniforms have always been more than just practical clothing. They've influenced high street fashion, inspired everyday wear, and told...

Nov 15

Lancaster The Explorer

Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens

Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens has launched a children's trail inspired on real life plant explorer Roy Lancaster. The new trail at the Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens, follows 'Lancaster The...

Nov 15

LOTA + Friends @ The Colliton Club

Join LOTA as they play their last gig of 2026 at The Colliton Club in Dorchester. Expect high energy Funk-Indie-Rock from this local 4 piece. Soon to be releasing their debut album 'Lost Out...

Nov 20

Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens Illuminate Winter Lights

Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens

Illuminate presented by OT Event Technicians. An outdoor winter enchanted lights display within the Gardens. Colourful lights transform and illuminate our Subtropical 18th century gardens and create a...