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
Abbotsbury Swannery Brambly Hedge Trail
NEW for the 2024 season at the Abbotsbury Swannery is the Brambly Hedge Trail. Brambly Hedge is a collection of children's stories and illustrations by author Jill Barklem. The books follow the...
Photography Exhibition 'Asking For It'
Shire Hall Museum is proud to host an impactful photography exhibition highlighting attitudes towards victim blaming. This exhibition from award-winning photographer Jayne Jackson explores changing...
What if the Swallows Didn't Come Back?
Every year fewer return. How do swallows and other migratory birds enrich our lives and what can we do to help them? Reflecting on the Future for Britain's Migratory birds. Michael McCarthy is one...
Storytime at the Museum
Come and join us for fun-filled Storytime where you can listen to some amazing tales in our Community Space at the Museum. This event is FREE of charge and perfect for children aged between 18 months...
The Story of the Chettle Grave Group with Sophia Adams
This lecture at Dorset Museum & Art Gallery will explore a fascinating group of objects discovered in Dorset and now on display at the British Museum. "Traditions and Transitions: The Story...
Dance Revolutionaries Cohan and MacMillan
Two legendary choreographers' works captured on film. Made in association with the Royal Ballet, 'Sea of Troubles' is Kenneth MacMillan's highly acclaimed ballet based on...
Free Lunchtime Concert
Join us at St Peter's Church, Dorchester on Saturday 20th April between 12.30 and 1pm for our monthly lunchtime concert. Dorchester-based baritone, Stefan Oakes, accompanied by pianist, Peter...
T Rex The Music of Marc Bolan and Mickey Finn
The all-star band created by Mickey Finn with original drummer Paul Fenton performing an explosion of 70s Glam Rock hits and celebrating 25 years of international shows. The show features hit after...
The Giant in a Sacred Landscape
Dr Helen Gittos grew up in the area and has childhood memories of the Giant. She is now based at the University of Oxford. Her first book, Liturgy, Architecture and Sacred Places in Anglo-Saxon...
All Trees Are Clocks
All Trees Are Clocks is the second performance this season responding to environmental issues and is a live multi-media performance exploring the environmental impacts of climate change. The concert...