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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

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.

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

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 the Corn Exchange and a Farmers’ Market is also held up 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

Kiri Pritchard-McLean Peacock Sep 13

Kiri Pritchard-McLean Peacock

Star of 8 out of 10 Cats Does Countdown, Have I Got News For You and QI Kiri Pritchard-McLean has had a busy few years. As well as hosting Live at the Apollo, fronting the Radio 4 panel show Best...

Oktoberfest Sep 14

Oktoberfest

The world famous Bavarian festival comes to Dorchester's Brewhouse and Kitchen. We've brewed 2 specialty German style beers (a further almost 100 beers & ciders available on the day), and...

Choral Eucharist Sep 15

Choral Eucharist

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

Dorchester Heritage Open Day Sep 15

Dorchester Heritage Open Day

Every September thousands of venues and volunteers across England organise events to celebrate our fantastic history and culture. It's your chance to see hidden places and try out new experiences...

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