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

All Access AUB: World In Motion Feb 18

All Access AUB: World In Motion

Now in its fourth year, the All Access AUB programme welcomed a group of Year 12 students over the summer to give them a taste of what it's like to be a student and study a creative course at AUB....

Bouncy Fun Play with Dinosaur & Unicorn Theme Feb 18

Bouncy Fun Play with Dinosaur & Unicorn Theme

February Half Term Big Bounce **Plus Dinosaur & Unicorn Huge Characters Meet & Greet from Little Gizmo Entertainment ** Bouncy Fun Play Event in Poole Inflatables, Bouncy Castles, Slides, Soft...

Design; Disruption; Divergence Feb 18

Design; Disruption; Divergence

Three exhibitions of student, staff and graduate artwork from Arts University Bournemouth and British University Vietnam, in three locations: one in the UK, one in Vietnam, and one in the virtual...

Poole Museum presents 'Men of Iron' Exhibition Feb 18

Poole Museum presents 'Men of Iron' Exhibition

Poole Museum's latest exhibition, which is being hosted at Lighthouse, Poole, honours the faces, stories and craftsmanship of Poole's Foundry workers, 40 years on from its closure. This...

Bouncy Fun Play & Bubble Show Feb 19

Bouncy Fun Play & Bubble Show

February Half Term Big Bounce **PLUS Richard with The Lovely Bubbly Show ** Bouncy Fun Play Event in Poole Inflatables, Bouncy Castles, Slides, Soft Play, Ride Ons & more Dorset's biggest,...

Northern Lights Feb 19

Northern Lights

An evening of Nordic symphonies performed by the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra. On Wednesday 19 February, the BSO are thrilled to be joined by globally renowned piano virtuoso, Louis Schwizgebel for...

Bouncy Fun Play & Krazy Kev Feb 21

Bouncy Fun Play & Krazy Kev

Bouncy Fun Play + Krazy Kev Entertainer Huge Sports Hall filled with Inflatables, Bouncy Castles, Slides, Soft Play, Ride Ons & more Plus Comedy Magic Entertainment with Krazy Kev Dorset's...

Eli Lev at Drift Micro Bar Feb 28

Eli Lev at Drift Micro Bar

Rising singer-songwriter Eli Lev is making the world a smaller place, one song at a time. Eli pens lyrics and melodies for everyday enlightenment—songs that resonate because they're...

'Come and Sing'-Haydn's Creation Choral Workshop Mar 01

'Come and Sing'-Haydn's Creation Choral Workshop

Come and join The Quayside Choir for an exciting and inspiring day of singing at Upton Community Centre, Poole Road, Upton, BH16 5JA. The Workshop will be led by guest conductor Simon Earl, Director...

Symphonic Dances Mar 05

Symphonic Dances

Enjoy another concert in the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra Poole concert series, with Symphonic Dances on Wednesday 5 March. The BSO are joined for Shostakovich's Violin Concerto by the brilliant...

AUB International Collective 2025 Mar 14

AUB International Collective 2025

AUB Students' Union (AUBSU), in partnership with TheGallery and AUB International, present AUB International Collective: a unique collaboration that embraces artwork created by students with...

Notes of Nostalgia Mar 26

Notes of Nostalgia

The Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra are bringing back musical memories with Notes of Nostalgia on Wednesday 26 February. The BSO are thrilled to be joined by Sir Stephen Hough who will be performing...

MUDDY DOG DASH 2025 Mar 29

MUDDY DOG DASH 2025

On Your Barks, Get Set… GO! Lewis-Manning Hospice Care's Muddy Dog Dash is back at Upton Country Park for 2025! When: Saturday, 29th March 2025 Where: Upton Country Park, Poole Bring your...

Wild wetland bird walk Mar 29

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 vibrant wetlands, where the...

Romantic Rhapsody Apr 02

Romantic Rhapsody

Enjoy a romantic evening of Rachmaninov, Beethoven and Strauss performed by the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra. On Wednesday 2 April, the BSO will be led by conductor, Kerem Hasan through some of the...