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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Eventscoming soon!
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...
Artist Room Louise Bourgeois
Louise Bourgeois (1911-2010) is one of the most celebrated and influential figures in modern and contemporary art. ARTIST ROOMS Louise Bourgeois brings together works from the last twenty years of her...
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!
Breathwork class "Relieve stress and anxiety and refresh your mind!"
B reathwork is a proven technique that has been used for centuries to improve mental and emotional well-being, and this class is the perfect way to experience its benefits first hand. Whether...
Dangerous Games
Lust, Lies and Live Music: Join Teatro Vivo in their new immersive theatre show - Dangerous Games. Two immoral libertines wager a scandalous bet to gain control of punk band The Maze. Playing a...
Easter Holiday Activities
We run a range of holiday activities for children in the school holidays (Easter, Summer and Christmas). These include swimming, dance, art, football, skateboarding, forest school and DJ techniques to...
Easter Trails at Minterne Gardens
27 Acres of wildwoodland garden to explore for hidden Easter Eggs & Easter Bunnies. Follow the clues before heading back to the Cafe for a chocolate prize. Wear your best Easter Bonnets! At the...
Events at Durlston Country Park': 15 Days in Clay
15 Days in Clay 15 Days in Clay Ceramic artists will be showcasing their 20 year Exhibition and Retrospective Show. An installation of ceramic figurative sculptures, inspired by our relationship with...
Events at Durlston Country Park: Bonkers Bunnies - Children's Activity Trail
Bonkers Bunnies - Children's Activity Trail, Daily 10am-4pm Hop on up and find all the Bonkers Bunnies around the park! £3 per prize trail pack.
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: 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....
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...
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...
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...
Abbotsbury Swannery Easter Spotter's Trail
A wonderful time of year to visit the Swannery, the swans are already busy laying their eggs. Take part in the Easter Spotter's Trail around the Swannery. Perfect fun for the school Easter...
All Home Grown: An Introduction to Growing Your Own Fruit and Veg
Discover the basics of growing your own veg with Head Gardener, Simon, and take inspiration from the produce and gardening methods used in our historic walled Garden. At the museum of East Dorset, we...
Coffee & Canines Opening
New venue for everyone who loves coffee and dogs opening in Gillingham "Coffee & Canines is designed to be the area's premier go-to dog-friendly venue." April 1st sees the opening of...
Early Bird Morning Walk and Breakfast
Dorset Wildlife Trust and the National Trust have partnered to offer you an opportunity to enjoy the island and its wildlife before the crowds arrive. A ranger from the Dorset Wildlife Trust team will...
Why notstay a while?
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 Right on Lyme's seafront, Cliff Cottage is one of the iconic pink cottages seconds away from the beach overlooking ...
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...
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...
Rudge Farm Cottages
Rudge Farm Cottages is peacefully situated in 20 acres of beautiful countryside close to the West Dorset coast and overlooking the beautiful Bride Valley. The farm is a haven for peace...