Events and Festivals in Poole

Poole has a vibrant and exciting events calendar ranging from concerts and shows at the Lighthouse Arts Centre to the popular annual quayside events programme Summertime in the South. Make sure you're in town for classic car shows, music events and spectacular fireworks and you may even spot a ghost walk or a pirate event on the events calendar too.

Whether your interest is music, dance, vintage cars or sports, 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.

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 shindig gets underway from 12 under the noonday sun with the Parade of Pirates along Poole Quay.

Folk on the Quay

A free folk music festival in June with three outdoor music stages, dancers in the streets, traditional folk dancing, ceilidhs on the Quay and lots more.

Quay for my Car

Throughout July and August, Poole Quay will be lined by classic cars for all to admire. Each week has a different theme including Mini, Lotus, Best of British, VW, Italian Stallions, American Dreams and more.

Poole Goes Vintage

Celebrate all things retro on the Quay as Poole goes Vintage returns to town each summer! This celebration of 1940s-60s music, fashion, memorabilia, entertainment and transport is a feel-good festival the whole family will enjoy.

Summer Spectacular

Get your groove on for Rockley's Summer Spectacular as fabulous free live music, entertainment and fireworks come to Poole Quay!

It takes place every Thursday (from end July until the end of August) 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!

British Beach Polo Championships

The Championships returns to Sandbanks Beach in July. With up to 10,000 people in attendance, it is the biggest beach polo event in the world. It’s a feast of fast action, gladiatorial horse polo, beach rugby, fashion and fun is to be had.

The event will see four competitive polo teams play thrilling polo whilst demonstrating spectacular horsemanship on the sand. Spectators are able to watch the professionals up close and personal as they manoeuvre their athletic polo ponies with agility and power.

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.

Christmas in Poole

New for Christmas 2022, the Maritime Christmas Light Festival will light up Poole like never before.

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!

Plan your holiday to Poole

For all the information you need to plan a holiday to Poole, please visit the Poole Tourism website or sign up for the latest destination and event news and special offers.

Mar 22

Songs From the Heart - Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra

Rimsky-Korsakov's effervescent overture, whose actual Russian title is Bright Holiday, reflects his fascination with the legends and rituals of pagan and early Christian Russia. Awesome and...

Mar 26

Muddy Dog Dash

Lewis-Manning Hospice Care's Muddy Dog Dash is a 2km and 4km obstacle course around Upton Country Park for you, your dog(s) and loved ones to take part in and have a paw-some day out! Not got a...

Mar 30

An Evening With Adam Frost

Due to overwhelming public demand Gardeners' World presenter Adam Frost has announced more dates to his 'An Evening With Adam Frost' tour In 2023. The award winning British garden designer...

Apr 01

Early Bird Morning Walk and Breakfast

Brownsea Island

Dorset Wildlife Trust and the National Trust have partnered to offer you an opportunity to enjoy the island and its wildlife before the crowds arrive. A ranger from the Dorset Wildlife Trust team will...

Apr 02

St John Passion J S Bach

Continuing the Bournemouth Symphony Chorus tradition of performing a Bach passion at Easter, Bach's St. John Passion is regarded as some of the greatest sacred music ever written. Using text from...

Apr 07

Easter at Farmer Palmers Adventure Park

Farmer Palmer's Farm Park

Did some 'bunny' say Easter Eggs? Hop along to Farmer Palmer's Easter Eggstravaganza on Easter Bank Holiday Weekend! Eggcellent daily Egg Hunts and watch out for the...

Apr 07

Easter Fair at Poole Park

Hello and welcome to The Dolphin Marching Bands annual Easter Fundraiser! Once again we will be celebrating Easter in the beautiful Poole Park. We are always grateful to the people of Poole for...

Apr 14

The Magical Music of Harry Potter

A one-of-a-kind film & music experience. “The Magical Music of Harry Potter”; a unique enchanting orchestral evening where original actors & star soloists bring the wizard’s...

Apr 20

Small Anthropologies: Professor Shawn Naphtali Sobers Meet The Artist

TheGallery

Panel will chair artists such as Professor Shawn Naphtali Sobers and Lorna Rose. Join us for a conversation with Professor Shawn Sobers, Lorna Rose and Professor Paul Gough to explore the exhibition...