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.
We
cycling events
Tour of Britain
Don't miss out - 10th September is when the Tour of Britain cycling race comes to Dorset.
Plan Your Visit
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2 hour Intro to stand up paddle boarding in Studland
Daily trips at 9-11, 11.30-1.30 or 2.30-4.30 run from March - October, next years dates go live on Dec 1st. click the book button for availability Jump aboard the Sups to explore Studland bay one of...
Bayside Pop Up Restaurant
This unique timber framed pop-up restaurant & venue is located on golden sand along the 7-mile beachfront between Bournemouth and Boscombe piers. Under the culinary supervision of our head chef...
Bincombe Bumps Maize Maze
Can you find the Wizard of Oz? Work your way along the yellow brick road, on the hunt to Emerald city where all your dreams come true in Bincombe Bumps Maize Maze! An a-maze-ing immersive adventure...
Bridport Carnival
Bridport Carnival is a must-see event and a highlight of the town's calendar! The fun packed extravaganza includes a grand procession held on the third Saturday in August each year and...
Buried in Time Pop up exhibition
Buried in Time celebrates the 20th anniversary of the World Heritage Coast designation and features the coastal geology of the West Bay area. Visitors can explore the history buried beneath our feet,...
City Cruises Summer Spectacular
Get your groove on for City Cruises Summer Spectacular, as fabulous FREE live music, entertainment and fireworks come to Poole Quay for six weeks over the summer! Organised by BCP Tourism, the...
Collecting the World: QuayCrafts at the Russell-Cotes
QuayCrafts at the Russell-Cotes Tuesday 28th June – Sunday 16th October 2022 An exhibition of contemporary art responses by QuayCrafts, a group of artist/makers based on the Isle of Wight....
Discover Lodmoor
Lodmoor is a quiet haven for wildlife in the popular seaside town of Weymouth. The combination of a large reedbed, open water, saltmarsh, wet grassland and bushes attract a variety of wildlife. New...
Discover Radipole Lake
Nestled in the centre of Weymouth, the reedbeds of Radipole Lake are an unlikely urban home to some stunning wildlife. New for 2022, Discover Radipole Lake is an opportunity to take a walk around the...
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’s Underwater World - Children’s Activity Trail
Durlston’s Underwater World - Children’s Activity Trail Discover what marvellous marine life hides under the waves. £3, 10am-4pm.
Events at Durlston Country Park: Fine Lines - Exhibition of Prints and Textiles
Exhibition of Prints and Textiles Collaborative and solo work by silk weaver Debby Kirby and printmaker Robin Mackenzie. Print, textiles and silk and paper weaving. Free. In the Fine...
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....
Events at Durlston Country Park: Park Yoga
Park Yoga Outdoor yoga sessions FREE 9.30am – 10.30 every Sunday morning from Sunday 1st May to Sunday 11th September 2022. * Who is it for? Everyone welcome any level of experience and age....
Exhibition: The Lost Words
This enchanting exhibition combines the creative talents of writer Robert Macfarlane and artist Jackie Morris to celebrate the relationship between language and the living world, and nature’s...
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...
Hardy's Wessex: Coastal Wessex - love and war
Hardy's Wessex: The landscapes that inspired a writer This major exhibition will be across four venues – Poole Museum, Dorset Museum, The Salisbury Museum and Wiltshire...
Hardy's Wessex: The Rural Landscape - Social Tensions
Hardy's Wessex: The landscapes that inspired a writer This major exhibition will be across four venues – Dorset Museum, Poole Museum, The Salisbury Museum and Wiltshire Museum....
Highcliffe Castle Summer Crafts
Children's Crafts every Tuesday and Thursday. There will be a new theme each week including pirates, fairy tales and mystical creatures. Fairytale Trail - find the hidden storybook characters as...
Highcliffe Castle Summer Exhibition Cabinet Of Marvels
Pippa Burnard takes once treasured items and gives them a new lease of life through her carvings and paper sculptures. Included in normal admission price.
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 the centre of Dorset. Lying in an area of outstanding natural beauty, Bookham Court Holiday Cottages...
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
LATE AVAILABILITY SUMMER 2022 Friday 19th - Friday 26th August @ £1,295.00 for 7 nights Friday 26th August - Friday 2nd September @ £1,295.00 for 7...
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...
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...
Rosewall Camping
Rosewall is a family run camping park, set in an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty on the World Heritage Coast, in the hamlet of Osmington Mills five miles east of Weymouth. Our thirteen-acre south...