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 2024 and 2025.
For a full list of events in Swanage, go to our What's On guide.
Christmas in Swanage for 2024
Swanage Railway Polar Express, 23 November to 24 December.
Swanage Christmas Lights Switch On, Saturday 30 November.
Artisans on the Beach, Saturday 30 November to Wednesday 1 January.
Lighting Up Lives on Swanage Pier, from Friday 6 December.
Swanage Rotary Christmas Market, Saturday 7 December.
Christmas at Durlston Country Park, Sunday 8 December to Wednesday 8 January on selected dates.
Santa's Grotto on Swanage Pier, Sunday 15 to Monday 23 December on selected dates.
The Boxing Day Dip, Thursday 26 December.
January 2025
Swanage Railway Winter Warm Up, Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 January.
Swanage Sea Rowing Club 10k Run, Sunday 12 January.
February 2025
The Swanage School Presents - Footloose, Thursday 27 February to Saturday 1 March.
March 2025
Jurassic Express Trail Run, Saturday 15 March.
Swanage Railway Spring Steam Gala, Friday 28 to Sunday 30 March.
April 2025
Good Friday Service, Friday 18 April.
Easter Sunday Sunrise Service, Sunday 20 April.
Classic Carnival Motor Show, Sunday 27 April.
May 2025
Coastal Barbarians Rowing Regatta, Saturday 17 May.
Swanage Classic Kayak Fishing Competition, 17 May.
Jurassic Coast Ultra Challenge 100k, Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 May.
Swanage Pirate Festival, Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 May.
Purbeck Art Weeks, Saturday 24 May to Sunday 8 June.
Swanage Fairy Festival, Friday 30 and Saturday 31 May.
June 2025
Sea Rowing Regatta, Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 June.
Cancer Research UK Big Hike, Saturday 21 June.
Swanage Fish and Food Festival, Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 June.
Swanage Railway Roads to Rail, Friday 27 to Sunday 29 June.
Swanage Triathlon, Sunday 29 June.
July 2025
Hants and Dorset Coastal Rowing, Saturday 5 July.
Swanage Jazz Festival, Friday 11 to Sunday 13 July.
The Wild Swimming Festival, Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 July.
Wilkswood Reggae Festival, Thursday 24 to Sunday 27 July.
SWANAGE CARNIVAL WEEK! Saturday 26 July to Saturday 2 August.
August 2025
Rotary Summer Craft Fair and Fete, Thursday 7 August.
Swanage Lifeboat Week, Saturday 9 to Sunday 17 August.
SISATA Outdoor Theatre, to be confirmed.
Purbeck Valley Folk Festival, Thursday 14 to Sunday 17 August.
Outdoor Cinema at Durlston Country Park, to be confirmed.
Harmans Cross Field Day and Fayre, Monday 25 August.
Purbeck International Chamber Music Festival, to be confirmed.
September 2025
Swanage Folk Festival, Friday 5 to Sunday 7 September.
Swanage Railway Classic Steam and Vehicles, Friday 5 to Sunday 7 September.
150 Years of RNLI, Saturday 13 September.
Planet Purbeck Festival, Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 September.
October 2025
Swanage Blues Festival, to be confirmed.
Swanage Supervets Rowing Regatta, Saturday 4 October.
Purbeck Film Festival, Friday 17 October to Sunday 2 November (dates to be confirmed).
