Events and Festivals in Poole

Poole has a vibrant and exciting events calendar ranging from concerts and shows at the Lighthouse Arts Centre to popular quayside events. You may even spot a ghost walk or a pirate event on the events calendar too!

Whether your interest is music, dance, food, classic cars or culture, there is something to entertain all ages throughout the whole year.

Dream Machines

Taking place every Tuesday night from April to September, see hundreds of motorbikes on Poole Quay. From classics to sports, Harley Davidsons to Kawasaki and everything in-between. The event creates a unique, exciting atmosphere as bikers and spectators enjoy a relaxed evening. Bring your own bike or just admire them, the choice is yours.

Magic of Thailand Festival

This two day Thai Festival takes place in May at Harbourside Park on the edge of Poole Harbour.

Treat yourself to a weekend wonder and bring along your families and friends to feel a touch of Thai culture.Cchallenge your taste buds and feast your eyes on world class food and performances including traditional music and dancing, Muay Thai boxing, Ladyboy show and lots more.

Harry Paye Pirate Day

Avast me harties! Tis time for land lubbers to dig out yer eye patch, earing and cutlass for Poole’s annual celebration in June, of its favourite pirate son Harry Paye.

The popular Harry Paye Day shindig gets underway from 12 under the noonday sun with the Parade of Pirates along Poole Quay.

Sandpolo

This annual Sandpolo event takes place on Sandbanks Beach in July. The event attracts a host of top polo players, VIP guests and fashionistas.

In the evenings, as the sun sets over ‘Old Harry Rocks’ the beach parties begin. 

Poole Harbour Festival

The Poole Harbour Festival is a music filled 3 day event taking place every July.

Featuring well-loved bands as well as tribute acts and DJs, this family-friendly festival offers both day and night time performances.

Summer Fireworks

Get your groove on for fabulous free live music, entertainment and fireworks during the summer on Poole Quay!

It takes place every Thursday (from 8th to 29th August 2024) bringing a party atmosphere to Poole’s continental quayside with live music, entertainment and family fun before finishing with a firework finale over the largest natural harbour in Europe at 10pm! 

Christmas in Poole

Stretching from the Dolphin Shopping Centre and along the High Street down onto Poole Quay you will find dazzling Christmas Trees, Tallships, Anchors and lit up canopies to walk under, as though you are walking under the sea! There's lots to see and do in Poole during Christmas, and not forgetting Dorset's biggest indoor shopping centre for all those Christmas presents.

Events coming soon

Holistic Water Retreat Jun 19

Holistic Water Retreat

Step aboard for a deeply restorative three-hour holistic retreat cruise through the tranquil waters of Poole Harbour. This is more than a boat journey – it's an invitation to reconnect with...

Lucian Freud's Etchings: A Creative Collaboration Jun 19

Lucian Freud's Etchings: A Creative Collaboration

Poole Museum invites you to step into the creative world of Lucian Freud with a FREE exhibition that's all about discovery and detail. Lucian Freud's Etchings: A Creative Collaboration shines...

Park Yoga Poole Jun 19

Park Yoga Poole

Free outdoor Park Yoga sessions every Sunday throughout the summer, 9.30-10.30am. Suitable for people of all ages and abilities, including children. Roll up your mat and join us for a weekly fix of...

Sound of the 60's Jun 19

Sound of the 60's

Step back into one of music's most iconic decades with our Sounds of the 60's show — a vibrant celebration of the era that changed music forever. From the harmonies of The Everly Brothers to...

Summer Safari Cruises Jun 19

Summer Safari Cruises

Join us for our run of Summer Safari Cruises as the busy breeding season concludes and welcomes the beginnings of autumn migration. Breeding birds are joined by the first returning migrants and fresh...

Sunset Safari Cruises Jun 19

Sunset Safari Cruises

Join the team on our run of evening charters around the harbour, taking in the full beauty of the harbour during golden hour as we go in search of the BIG SIX and plenty of our other great summer...

Harry Paye Pirate Day Jun 20

Harry Paye Pirate Day

Avast me harties! Tis time for land lubbers to dig out yer eye patch, earing and cutlass for Poole Quay's annual celebration on 20 June 2026, of its favourite pirate son Harry Paye!

Father's Day Fish n Chip Cruise Jun 21

Father's Day Fish n Chip Cruise

Fish & Chip Lunchtime Cruise Around Poole Harbour Set sail on a scenic lunchtime cruise around the breathtaking Poole Harbour, one of the largest natural harbours in the world. As the sun shines...

Bike Nights on Poole Quay Jun 23

Bike Nights on Poole Quay

Bike Nights on Poole Quay for 2026 will start on Tuesday 7 April. The event creates a unique, exciting atmosphere as bikers and spectators enjoy a relaxed evening on Poole Quay. The...

Folk on the Quay Jun 27

Folk on the Quay

Poole's Folk Festival brings you the best in National, International and local folk & acoustic music, with dancers in the streets overlooking Poole’s lovely Harbour. For...

Wild wetland bird walk Jun 27

Wild wetland bird walk

Brownsea Island is a haven for bird enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. Our guided walks, led by an expert Dorset Wildlife Trust ranger, take you through the island's beautiful wetlands. Brownsea...

Car Nights on Poole Quay Jul 03

Car Nights on Poole Quay

Poole Quay hosts a unique, themed car event every Friday evening from 6pm – 9pm, putting a great selection of popular car marques in the spotlight. 'Car Nights on Poole Quay' create a...

Gloriette Gin Cruise Jul 03

Gloriette Gin Cruise

Set sail into the evening and experience the perfect pairing of coastal views and handcrafted Dorset gin. We're thrilled to be working with Gloriette Gin, proudly distilled in the shadow of Corfe...

Upton Country Park Festival Jul 03

Upton Country Park Festival

Upton Country Park Festival - Dorset's bestselling annual tribute show. This year celebrates the bestselling musical acts in history with leading tributes to The Killers (The Fillers), Coldplay (A...

Opera in a Box – The Pirates of Penzance Jul 04

Opera in a Box – The Pirates of Penzance

07795 467666. £14, £6 u18s, £36 fam This much-loved comic opera follows Frederic, a young apprentice mistakenly bound to a band of tender-hearted pirates, as he navigates duty, love and...