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
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
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
Jurassic Express Trail Run, Saturday 14 March 2026.
Swanage Railway Spring Steam Gala, Friday 27 to Sunday 29 March 2026.
April
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
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
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
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
Rotary Summer 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.
Harmans Cross Field Day and Fayre, Monday 31 August 2026.
September
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, Sunday 20 September 2026.
Planet Purbeck Discovery Fest, Saturday 19 September 2026.
October
Swanage Blues Festival, Thursday 1 to Sunday 4 October 2026.
Studland Stampede, Sunday 4 October 2026.
Purbeck Film Festival, Friday 16 October to Sunday 1 November 2026.
The Flying Scotsman at Swanage Railway, Friday 23 October to Sunday 1 November 2026.
Halloween Ghost Train at Swanage Railway, Friday 30 and Saturday 31 October 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.
Christmas Afternoon Tea at Swanage Railway, Saturday 28 November to Wednesday 23 December 2026.
Swanage Railway Yuletide Express, selected dates between 28 November and 24 December 2026.
Swanage Railway Christmas Carol Trains, Thursdays 3, 10 and 17 December 2026.
Swanage Rotary Christmas Market, Saturday 5 December 2026.
The Boxing Day Swim, 26 December.
Lighting Up Lives on Swanage Pier, to be confirmed.
Santa's Grotto on Swanage Pier, to be confirmed.
Christmas at Durlston Country Park, to be confirmed.
