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.

Plan Your Visit

Jul 06

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...

Jul 06

Buried in Time Pop up exhibition

West Bay Discovery Centre

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,...

Jul 06

Caribbean Soul Food Cooking Class

YA MAN, YA MAN BRING IN THE SUNSHINE AND LET THE HEAT TAKE OVER! A number of the dishes definitely have plenty of the Caribbean sunshine, in their hot and spicy flavours, some using the legendary...

Jul 06

Discover Lodmoor

RSPB Weymouth Wetlands (Radipole and 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...

Jul 06

Discover Radipole Lake

RSPB Weymouth Wetlands (Radipole and Lodmoor)

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...

Jul 06

Events at Durlston Country Park: Cuppa and Chat

Durlston Country Park National Nature Reserve

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....

Jul 06

Events at Durlston Country Park: Durlston’s Prehistoric Past - Children’s Activity Trail

Durlston Country Park National Nature Reserve

Durlston’s Prehistoric Past - Children’s Activity Trail Did someone say dinosaurs? Durlston’s Dinosaurs have escaped! Help the park Rangers find them all! £3...

Jul 06

Events at Durlston Country Park: Park Run

Durlston Country Park National Nature Reserve

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....

Jul 06

Events at Durlston Country Park: Park Yoga

Durlston Country Park National Nature Reserve

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....

Jul 06

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...

Jul 06

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...

Jul 06

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....

Jul 06

Live Music on Bournemouth Pier this Summer - 1st July to 27th August

Relax and unwind with Live Music this Summer at one of the most beautiful venues in Bournemouth. Come down, enjoy some tasty food, wonderful 2-4-1 cocktails surrounded by spectacular sea views and...

Jul 06

Outdoor Cinema Under the Stars

Keyneston Mill

Watch the glorious sunset over the gardens, then snuggle down in our bistro garden to watch your favourite feel good film, with fire pits and blankets available to create an intimate experience....

Jul 06

Park Yoga

Free outdoor Park Yoga sessions every Sunday throughout the summer, 9.30-10.30am. Suitable for people of all ages and abilities, including children. Roll up your mat and join us for a weekly fix of...

Jul 06

Poole Dream Machines

DREAM MACHINES Motorcycle Evenings This year's weekly Dream Machines motorcycle event is set to begin on Tuesday 5 April. We look forward to welcoming you back...

Jul 06

Poole Quay For My Car

*Please check with event organisers directly for any up-to-date information* The events, sponsored by Poole Pirates offer free entry onto the quayside for the car owners who fit the theme...

Jul 06

Secrets of the Stour

A promenade, site-specific theatre performance that engages the audience in traversing a floodplain near the River Stour in Wimborne, on a quest to find out the rivers secrets. On the way, you will...

Jul 06

Stitched: Textiles Open

Symondsbury Estate

Sou'-Sou'-West Arts' first dedicated textiles exhibition, providing a platform for five specially selected independent designers from Devon and Dorset to present their creations in the...