If you're looking for a calendar of the major events and festivals which take place in Swanage every year, you've come to the right place. To help plan your holiday or day trip to this nostalgic seaside resort, we've listed all the annual events which happen each year. Here's your guide to the exciting events in Swanage during 2026. From music festivals and boat trips to nature walks and carnivals, there's lots going on to add some local flavour to your visit. For a full list of events in Swanage, go to our What's On guide.
January 2026
Swanage Railway Winter Warm Up, Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 January 2026.
Swanage Drama Company Pantomime Aladdin, Friday 9 to Saturday 17 January 2026.
Swanage Sea Rowing Club 10k Run, Sunday 11 January 2026.
Wassailing at Dorset Cider Farm, Sunday 17 January 2026.
February 2026
Railway 200 Inspiration Train Visit to Swanage Railway, Monday 16 to Wednesday 18 February 2026.
The Swanage School Presents - Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Wednesday 25 to Saturday 28 February 2026.
March 2026
Jurassic Express Trail Run, Saturday 14 March 2026.
Swanage Railway Spring Steam Gala, Friday 27 to Sunday 29 March 2026.
April 2026
Good Friday Service at Swanage Bandstand, Friday 3 April 2026.
Peter Rabbit™ Experience at Swanage Railway, Friday 3 to Monday 6 April 2026.
Easter Sunday Sunrise Service, Sunday 5 April 2026.
Swanage Railway Model Railway Weekend, Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 April 2026.
Classic Carnival Motor Show, Sunday 26 April 2026.
May 2026
Swanage Railway Diesel Gala and Beer Festival, Friday 8 to Sunday 10 May 2026.
Swanage Classic Kayak Fishing Competition, Saturday 16 May 2026.
Jurassic Coast Ultra Challenge, Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 May 2026.
Swanage Pirate Festival, 23 and 24 May 2026.
Purbeck Art Weeks, Saturday 23 May to Sunday 7 June 2026.
June 2026
Swanage Fish and Food Festival, Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 June 2026.
Cancer Research UK Big Hike, Saturday 20 June 2026.
Swanage Sea Rowing Club Summer Regatta, Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 June 2026.
Swanage Railway Roads to Rail, Friday 26 to Sunday 28 June 2026.
Swanage Triathlon, Sunday 28 June 2026.
July 2026
Hants and Dorset Coastal Rowing, Saturday 4 July 2026.
Swanage Jazz Festival, Friday 10 to Sunday 12 July 2026
The Wild Swimming Festival, Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 July 2026.
Swanage Carnival Week, Saturday 25 July to Saturday 1 August 2026.
August 2026
Rotary Summer Craft Fair and Fete, Thursday 6 August 2026.
Swanage Lifeboat Week, Saturday 8 to Saturday 15 August 2026.
Purbeck Valley Folk Festival, Thursday 20 to Sunday 23 August 2026.
Outdoor Cinema at Durlston Country Park, dates to be confirmed.
Harmans Cross Field Day and Fayre, Monday 31 August 2026.
September 2026
Purbeck International Chamber Music Festival, Thursday 3 to Sunday 6 September 2026.
Classic Steam and Vehicles, Friday 4 to Sunday 6 September 2026.
Swanage Folk Festival, Friday 11 to Sunday 13 September 2026.
Swanage Railway Autumn Gala, Friday 11 to Sunday 13 September 2026.
Purbeck Marathon, Saturday 19 September 2026.
Planet Purbeck Discovery Fest, Saturday 19 September 2026.
October 2026
Swanage Blues Festival, Thursday 1 to Sunday 4 October 2026.
Studland Stampede, dates to be confirmed.
Purbeck Film Festival, Friday 16 October to Sunday 1 November 2026.
Christmas in Swanage
Artisans on the Beach, Saturday 21 November to Sunday 20 December 2026
Swanage Christmas Lights Switch On, Saturday 28 November 2026.
Swanage Rotary Christmas Market, Saturday 5 December 2026.
The Boxing Day Swim, 26 December.
Swanage Railway Yuletide Express, to be confirmed.
Lighting Up Lives on Swanage Pier, to be confirmed.
Swanage Railway Christmas Carol Trains, to be confirmed.
Santa's Grotto on Swanage Pier, to be confirmed.
Christmas at Durlston Country Park, to be confirmed.
