Events & Festivals in Wareham

Events in and around Wareham for all the family

During the summer, Wareham Quay plays host to Wareham Wednesdays with raft races, tug of war, live music and fireworks taking place on Wednesday evenings during the 6 week school summer holidays from late July to early September. 

Wareham Carnival takes place over a weekend in mid July and includes fun for all ages, finishing off with a procession through the town.

If vintage vehicles and all things steam-powered is your guilty pleasure, then the Purbeck Rally is just what you’re looking for. The 3 day show has vehicle displays plus an auto-jumble and auction – the perfect place to find a project or something which requires some tinkering!

Need something to keep the kiddies amused - why not try eco-crabbing or snorkelling for softies at nearby Kimmeridge Bay? If arts and crafts is your hobby, you can join a painting class, make some bunting or create something out of driftwood. Or if you prefer listening to some tunes, Camp Bestival is the family-friendly music festival of the summer season.

See history come alive

You’ll have tonnes of fun at the Tank Musuem with live actions displays, dress up days, vintage markets and more to keep the troops entertained during your stay in Dorset.

You can also get hands on and learn to drive an armoured vehicle or join an ‘access all areas tour’ and see behind the scenes with one of the experts.

The Arts scene

The Purbeck Film Festival is the longest running rural film festival in the UK and a firm favourite on the events calendar. Based at the Rex Cinema, the festival is a two week programme during October of themed films including award winners, timeless classics and foreign films. Movies are also shown at various other venues in the area and during the summer they host outdoor cinema too!

If the arts and crafts movement is more your cup of tea, you’ll find photography displays, fine art, crafts exhibits and Have-A-Go sessions for children and adults at the Dorset Arts and Craft Showcase. And there are plenty of art events taking place all year round where you can try something new or brush up on old skills.

Family friendly music festivals

Every year Camp Bestival takes place at Lulworth Castle and Park during the summer. It’s a fantastic family friendly music festival with a different theme each year. Not only does it bring in big named bands and musicians but there are also dance workshops, fancy dress parades, food from around the world and a huge fireworks display as the finale. Visit for the day or camp for the duration – the choice is yours.

Seasonal festivities

Whether you’re visiting at Easter hunting for chocolate eggs with the Easter Bunny, looking out for Father Christmas and his gold boots on the rooftops of Wareham or singing ‘Auld Lang Syne’ at New Year with a glass of bubbly in hand – there is entertainment all year round in Dorset.