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.

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.

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!

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.

Events coming soon

Trinity Buoy Wharf Drawing Prize Mar 28

Trinity Buoy Wharf Drawing Prize

The Trinity Buoy Wharf Drawing Prize has an established reputation as the UK's most important annual open exhibition for drawing. Founded in 1994, the Drawing Prize celebrates talent and...

Jurassic Adventurer Mar 30

Jurassic Adventurer

New Cruise for 2024! Working with our partners at Swanage Railway and Go South Coast, you have unlimited travel for the day on More Bus, Beach Breezer, Purbeck Breezer, Harbour Breezer, City Cruises...

Classic Vehicle and Steam Engine Show Apr 06

Classic Vehicle and Steam Engine Show

Exhibit your vehicle and/or come and join us to see and appreciate the beauty of all the classic vehicles on display! From cars and motorbikes to the more unusual: Stationary Engines, Miniature Steam...

Let's Dance Apr 10

Let's Dance

Ravel greatly admired Schubert's collection of Valses Nobles and Valses Sentimentales, inspiring him to write his own cycle of eight solo piano waltzes which he later orchestrated – each a...

Classic FM Hall of Fame Apr 20

Classic FM Hall of Fame

Enjoy an evening featuring five of the greatest works in classical music! Rossini's evocative overture with its flowing melodies and infectious momentum, is instantly recognisable while...

Early Morning Bird Walk Apr 20

Early Morning Bird Walk

A ranger from the Dorset Wildlife Trust team will lead you on a wander around the island, lakes and lagoon. Experience the peace and tranquillity of the island and listen out for the sounds of the...

Wedding and Festival Flower Crowns Apr 20

Wedding and Festival Flower Crowns

During this course you will receive both group and individual support to help you learn to make beautiful flower crowns that really make a statement. These can range from formal to fancy designs,...

Elgar's Enigma Apr 24

Elgar's Enigma

A work dazzling in its ingenuity, technical skill and range of expression Enigma Variations was an immediate popular success and catapulted Elgar into national and international fame. The original...

Celebration Flowers: Centre Pieces and Posies Apr 27

Celebration Flowers: Centre Pieces and Posies

During this course you will receive both group and individual support in order to help you learn more about making beautiful flower centrepieces and posies that will celebrate any special occasion....

Voices from the East May 01

Voices from the East

Despite its popularity, Tchaikovsky's First Piano Concerto remains refreshingly original with its exciting and altogether exceptional opening and richly forged musical dramas of powerful...

Iolanta May 08

Iolanta

Tchaikovsky's last opera is tender, magical and poignant. Extolling the healing power of love, Iolanta tells the story of the king of Provence's daughter, who is blind. King René has...

English Touring Opera at Poole Lighthouse May 10

English Touring Opera at Poole Lighthouse

English Touring Opera returns to Poole's Lighthouse this May with their Spring 24 tour, featuring two new ETO productions. Manon Lescaut is a devastating depiction of a woman wrestling with her...

Shostakovich Five May 15

Shostakovich Five

Fearing for his life and bowing to pressure from the brutal Stalinist state, Shostakovich wrote his Fifth Symphony to appease the authorities. It was hugely successful – the government was...