What's on in Dorset
Looking to find out what's on in Dorset? You’ve come to the right place as we've got a fantastic year round events calendar for you to enjoy. Our vibrant county plays host to an amazing array of events from the mildly eccentric to the world famous .
Country life is showcased at the many county shows and country fairs throughout Dorset, where prize animals parade, and the thrill of the fairground beckons. Regattas also take place in our coastal towns, each bringing its own celebrations and a bucket-load of traditional seaside fun for the whole family to enjoy.
Add to the mix fantastic beaches, beautiful countryside and great attractions, and you can see why there are always plenty of reasons to visit.
Amazing music and food festivals with a celebrity twist!
If you are looking to see what's on in Dorset music and food wise, why not soak up the atmosphere and swing into action at one of Dorset’s many music festivals – choose from folk, jazz, classical or a well renowned festival, such as Camp Bestival, which attracts A-list entertainers to its centre stage.
There’s always a mouth watering abundance of local produce on offer at country fairs and food festivals across Dorset to tantalise your taste buds. Plus, you can pick up tips at demonstrations by celebrity and award winning chefs!
If you’re a seafood lover then make sure you don’t miss out on the award winning Dorset Seafood Festival, the UK’s largest seafood festival. Just picture yourself savouring a feast of seafood in the picturesque setting of Weymouth peninsula whilst enjoying the warm and welcoming atmosphere – sound good?
Perfect for families, thrill seekers and explorers alike!
Love the great outdoors? Why not embrace Dorset’s wonderful scenery at a walking festival or join a guided fossil walk and let your inner explorer loose!
The fun isn’t just on the ground! Let the pilots of the world famous Red Arrows and Black Cats wow you with incredible aerobatics and hair raising stunts or fly a kite to the highest height at a kite festival!
Or perhaps you want to experience something a little more unique? Why not have a go at Dorset Knob Throwing?
Cracking comedy and vibrant cultural scene to titillate and delight!
The arts are all around you in Dorset with musical performances, sparkling productions and arts and film festivals to inspire and surprise you.
Why not catch a top comedian in a cosy Dorset venue and be the first to see their set as they warm-up for a national tour?
This may be one of the most peaceful parts of the country but it buzzes with activity throughout the year!
Simply use the ‘What’s On’ search facility to search our list of events.
Why not stay a while and book your accommodation today!
Make the most of Dorset’s fantastic events calendar and book a break to Dorset.
We have plenty of accommodation for you to choose from – chic hotels, homely B&Bs, cosy self catering cottages and pretty holiday parks.
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A Celebration of Sky: Cloudscape Lino Prints
An exhibition of cloudscape lino prints by printmaker Steve Manning. Working out of his attic studio with commanding views of sky and clouds, Steve is drawn to liminal places where sky and water merge...
African Art and Sculpture Exhibition
Opens November 2022 We are working with members of the wider community to bring unseen objects in our collection to life through our upcoming exhibition on African art and sculpture. Keep an eye on...
Beneath The Waves Pop Up Exhibition
2023 has been designated as "The Year of the Coast". In our new exciting 'Beneath the Waves' exhibition we look at the secrets of Lyme Bay. We explore the historical and current...
Bite the Bullet Exhibition
Come and see our brand new exhibition exploring the impact of bullets through our historic collection!
Dinosaurs in Weymouth
We Are Weymouth (BID) is excited to announce the return of the popular dinosaur trail for 2023, installed throughout Weymouth from 12th February to the 26th March. This year the trail features 5...
Drawn
From small sketches and preparatory drawings to large scale works of art, we explore the language of the line.
Events at Durlston Country Park: Cuppa and Chat
Cuppa and Chat Enjoy a cuppa, make new friends and enjoy the lovely woodland setting of the Durlston ‘Shed’. Just drop in and say hello to our ‘Sheddies’. FREE....
Events at Durlston Country Park: Durlston and the Sea Exhibition
Durlston and the Sea Exhibition 10am-4pm Find out about the wildlife and history of Durlston hidden beneath the waves. FREE in the Fine Foundation Gallery.
Events at Durlston Country Park: Park Run
Free Weekly Park Run, Every Saturday at 9am Get fit in a great location! Durlston Country Park is now host to Park Run every Saturday. Parkruns are free, weekly, community events all around the world....
Feast of Fiddles
The Feast of Fiddles set out on their Spring Tour once again in 2023 following a very successful return to the road last year post pandemic restrictions. Born in Nettlebed on Valentine's Day 1994...
GIANT
GIANT is the home of contemporary art in Bournemouth. It is the largest art centre of its kind on the central south coast and presents a comprehensive program of curated exhibitions and projects...
Hand-painting Animal Print onto Polymer Clay Jewellery
Local jewellery designer Sarah Ricketts creates colourful polymer clay jewellery from her studio in Wimborne, Dorset. Her current work uses mini silk screens to create the surface pattern which she...
Nature Tots at RSPB Arne - monthly
Explorer's wanted! Whether it's bug hunting, puddle splashing or getting crafty, at Nature Tots you can expect an all-round adventure! With sessions usually around the middle Tuesday of the...
Sherborne Digby Hall Monthly Market
Monthly market of Antiques, Arts ,Crafts, Food & more . Cafe, Free entry, Parking, Toilets. Up to 70 stalls, Held the 1st Saturday of every month 10am to 3pm, March until December. Located in...
Telling Tales: The Story of Victorian Narrative Art
Narrative Art was the reality television of the Victorian era. While the artistic elite rejected it, the general public loved to see soap opera drama on the gallery walls. Its accessible and...
The Tiger Who Came to Tea exhibition
A new exhibition celebrating the work of one of Britain's best known children's author–illustrators Judith Kerr is coming to Shire Hall Museum! From 16th March, 'The Tiger Who Came...
Mediumship Evening at Lilac
We are very excited to be hosting a mediumship evening at our Lilac restaurant in Lyme Regis. It will be an interesting and spiritual evening, so come and join us and try something new.
Seining along Chesil
Join oral history writer and poet Sarah Acton talking about the traditions of seine fishing communities along Chesil Beach and remembering the communities involved locally for generations, with...
Songs From the Heart - Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
Rimsky-Korsakov's effervescent overture, whose actual Russian title is Bright Holiday, reflects his fascination with the legends and rituals of pagan and early Christian Russia. Awesome and...
The Neil Maya Quartet - Cartoon Jazz
Playing the best in jazz from the cartoons, The Neil Maya Quartet injects some Yabba Dabba Doo into your favourite looney tunes – from Frozen to The Flintstones; Top Cat to Toy Story; The...
Why notstay a while?
Back of Beyond Touring Park
If you are looking for a haven of peace and quiet but still be close enough to the New Forest and the South Coast, then look no further. Sometimes the birds can be noisy. But that’s about as...
Berehayes Holiday Cottages
Berehayes has 8 holiday cottages set in a tranquil rural village just 2 miles from the beaches of the World Heritage Jurassic Coast in West Dorset and 5 miles from the Devon...
Bookham Court
Bookham Court Holiday Cottages enjoy panoramic views over Thomas Hardy's Blackmore Vale in Dorset. Lying in an area of outstanding natural beauty, Bookham Court Holiday Cottages are...
Bradle Farmhouse
Bradle Farm lies in a valley 3 miles west of Corfe Castle surrounded by the Purbeck Hills in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Whilst the original farmhouse and farm are mentioned in the Doomsday...
Cliff Cottage
4 Star VisitEngland Grading: 84% Gold Award Part of Lyme’s historic landscape since the early 1800’s, Cliff Cottage is one of the delightful pink cottages, set back off...
Cogden Cottages
The Cogden Cottages are absolute sea view beach front family sized cottages. They are modelled from a former Victorian coastguard station which means they have the most fabulous views of all of Lyme...
Coppet Hill
Just three miles from the Jurassic Coast, and surrounded by some of Dorset’s most spectacular hills, our 600-acre family farm is a peaceful haven for walkers, campers and wildlife lovers. Our...
Corfe and Purbeck Holidays
Corfe & Purbeck Holidays specialise in letting quality self catering holiday properties in the beautiful Isle of Purbeck, Dorset. All of our our cottages are well equipped, comfortably...
Doles Ash Farm Holiday Cottages
Located in the heart of Hardy’s Dorset, Doles Ash Farm Holiday Cottages offers a relaxing break surrounded by beautiful countryside and set in 12 acres of West Dorset’s Piddle Valley. No...
Dorset Forest Garden Glamping
Four individually styled shepherd’s huts to choose from at Dorset Forest Garden. Winners of the Gold Award for Glamping in 2021/22 Dorset Tourism Awards. At the head of a long valley,...
Dorset Hideaways
Dorset Hideaways is a Holiday Cottage Agency showcasing a range of properties from cosy cottages crammed full of Dorset charm to luxury retreats oozing with coastal chic. Our aim is to make it easy...
Gloucester House
Gloucester House is a beautiful, Boutique, AA 4 * Gold, Townhouse, dating back to 1790 and forms part of Weymouth’s Georgian terraced seafront. Commanding a prime position with unbroken views...
Grand Hotel
Located in the heart of the Isle of Purbeck, The Grand Hotel has stunning views across the bay and has direct access from the gardens to the private beach. The Burlington Health Spa and...
Graston Farm Cottages
Graston Farm Cottages are set in the beautiful Bride Valley and are in an ideal position for walking and cycling with just a 30 minute walk to the coast. There are numerous footpaths crossing the...
Hedgehog Corner with Hot Tubs
Hedgehog Corner with Hot Tubs. Two award-winning quality self catering accommodations for couples, each with own private hot tub. Close to Lyme Regis on the World Heritage Jurassic Coast, South West...
Kingston Country Courtyard
Kingston Country Courtyard is a 16th century B&B accommodation. We have 25 rooms located around two courtyards with car parking facilities onsite. We have a wide variety of rooms available these...
Lucerne B&B
Lucerne is close to the heart of Lyme Regis and its seafront. Rear rooms have excellent views of the Jurassic Coast from Lyme Regis to Portland. Owen and Chris your hosts have been in Lyme Regis for...
Millbrook Guest House
Millbrook is a family run B&B that has been providing accommodation to holiday makers and visitors to the area for over one hundred years. We offer modern rooms, with free wi-fi and our own...
Newlands Holiday Park
Newlands is a family run park located in the picturesque World Heritage village of Charmouth, just a stones throw from the fossil-rich Jurassic Coast near the Dorset/Devon border. Set in 23 acres of...
Riverside Park
We are located on the banks of the River Stour in the centre of the beautiful historic town of Christchurch, within walking distance to the shops, restaurants, spectacular natural harbour, Hengistbury...