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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

Choral Evensong Jul 27

Choral Evensong

You are warmly invited to our monthly, cathedral-style service of Choral Evensong on Saturday 27th July at 4.30pm in St Peter's Church, Dorchester. The music includes Parry 'Never weather...

Hardy based Cattistock Classical Concert Jul 27

Hardy based Cattistock Classical Concert

Cattistock Classical Concerts are delighted to present an event in St Peter and St Paul's Church, Cattistock on 27th July as part of the South West Tour of The Past & I: 100 Years of Thomas...

Relaxed Opening Jul 27

Relaxed Opening

Explore the Museum and take part in drop-in activities during our relaxed openings. Especially suitable for visitors with autism or other sensory conditions, and their siblings, parents and carers....

Summer in the Square Jul 27

Summer in the Square

There's so Much on This Summer in Brewery Square! Join us for FREE events perfect for all ages! It's the ultimate way to explore and enjoy the summer with our fountains and an array of...

The Dorchester Artisan Market Jul 28

The Dorchester Artisan Market

New for 2024 we are proud to introduce the Dorchester Artisan Market. With pitches for over 200 local, artisan traders spread across The Borough Gardens, West Walks, Bowling Alley Walk, South Walk,...

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