Events in Dorset

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Swanage Fish Festival

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Events are thick on the ground in Dorset!

From the arts, food and drink and theatre to history, music and nature, there’s so much going on, it’s hard to fit it all in to the year!

Here’s a snippet of the very best Fests…

Best for culture

Art lovers are well catered for here in Dorset, with the biennial Dorset Art Weeks.

Dorset Arts Weeks is one of the largest Open Studio events in the country that seeks to bring the public face to face with the artists and makers, whilst exploring the delights of one of the country's most beautiful counties.

Profoundly different from entering a public gallery, the artists, designers or makers are on-hand and keen to talk about the extraordinary range of materials, skills and traditions that inform their work.

But that's not all, Art Events take place throughout the whole year, so whatever time you visit, you won't be disappointed.

Best for foodies

The multi-award-winning Pommery Dorset Seafood Festival is one of the largest food festivals in the country, taking place annually in July around Weymouth’s charming harbour.

Enjoy Pommery Champagne with fresh oysters, taste different seafood dishes on offer from almost 100 stalls, watch live cooking demonstrations from the region’s best loved chefs AND taste their dishes in the Fisher & Paykel Social Kitchen.

Head on down to the Piddle Bar or the ‘Sirens’ Cocktail bar serving lovely local Conker G&T’s & more. Even better, it’s all brewed in Dorset!!!

Food fanatic? See our full list of Foodie events.

Best for music

Set in the serene venue of Sherborne Abbey, Sherborne Abbey Music Festival is an exciting celebration of contrasts in music and performance.

Relax and enjoy the improvisation workshops, poetry and close harmonies to salon baroque, madrigals and classical ukelele.

Whether audiences are looking for atmospheric acoustics, or rousing sea shanties, the early May bank holiday weekend in Sherborne is the place to be.

Let yourself be serenaded at more music events in Dorset.

Best for sport

July brings with it the Dorset Festival of Sport which includes a two day sports arena, two disability sports days, a team sports day, fun day, Battens Charity Volleyball Championship and RAF Beach Volleyball Classic!

Held right on the sandy beach in Weymouth, it’s a great opportunity for residents and visitors alike to get involved with various sports such as kayaking, stand up paddle boarding, beach volleyball and more!

Feeling active? Take a look at more Sports Events in Dorset.

Best for wildlife and nature

One of the most popular natural events in Dorset is the arrival of the cygnets at Abbotsbury Swannery, which heralds the first days of summer.

Abbotsbury Swannery is the only place in the world where you can safely walk through a colony of mute swans and see cygnets hatching and learning to swim.

Visitors can also take part in the twice-a-day mass-feeding of these graceful birds, something that is truly unique to Dorset.

If you love the great outdoors, you’ll love these other Nature Events.

Book your accommodation

If after reading this you can’t wait to come down to Dorset to experience it all, then you’ll want to know where you can stay.

Rest your head on a plush pillow or camp under the stars, it’s up to you – we’re here waiting to welcome you to delightful Dorset!

Easily book your accommodation online now:

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Number of results: 407

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Ongoing Events

Harbour Lights Cruise

Type

Type:

Family

Poole

An evening cruise around Poole Harbour with views of Old Harry Rocks.

Dates

From:

27 May 2017to4 June 2017Various Opening Times

From:

22 July 2017to2 Sept 2017Various Opening Times
King Tut's Treasure Hunt

Type

Type:

Exhibition

Dorchester

Solve the puzzle of the missing tomb and its treasure.

Venue

The Tutankhamun Exhibition, Dorchester

Dates

From:

27 May 2017to4 June 2017

From:

21 Oct 2017to29 Oct 2017
The Great Half Term Dinosaur Hunt

Type

Type:

Exhibition

Dorchester

The Great Dinosaur Hunt is happening throughout Half Term at the Dinosaur Museum in Dorchester. The event involves the whole museum and lets children explore and search out the answers to the clues of the dinosaur mystery. The Dinosaur Museum is the...

Venue

The Dinosaur Museum, Dorchester

Dates

From:

27 May 2017to4 June 2017

From:

21 Oct 2017to29 Oct 2017
Charmouth Vintage Fair

Type

Type:

Fete/Fair

Charmouth, Bridport

Charmouth Vintage Fair
Monday 29th May 2017
10am - 4pm
Charmouth Community Hall
Come along to Charmouth Vintage Fair on Bank Holiday Monday! A fantastic range of stalls to browse, food/drink and more!
Make a day of it! Charmouth Playing Fields,...

Dates

From:
29 May 2017
Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre

Type

Type:

Participatory Event

Studland, SWANAGE

3 Course Meal and Murder Mystery Theatre
Murder Mystery Theatre performed by Swanage Town Twinning Players
" Murder at Burt' Bits Clinic
£29 per person

Dates

From:
29 May 2017Open 18:30 - 23:00
Sherborne Castle Country Fair, Retriever Event & Rare Breeds Show 2017

Type

Type:

Fete/Fair

SHERBORNE

Held in the grounds of Sherborne Castle this spectacular lakeside event highlights traditional rural skills, as well as those more modern.
Advance tickets available from Sherborne Tourist Information Centre 01935 815341.

Venue

Sherborne Castle, Sherborne

Dates

From:
29 May 2017
Kids' Discovery Week at Haynes International Motor Museum

Type

Type:

Car & Motor Vehicles

Sparkford, Nr Yeovil

Is your family ready to accept the Haynes Discovery Mission?

Venue

Haynes International Motor Museum, Somerset

Dates

From:

29 May 2017to2 June 2017
Ladies Coffee Morning

Type

Type:

Food and Drink

Studland, SWANAGE

Fantastic stalls of Arts and Crafts, Books, Cakes, Raffle and Tombola
All monies raised, as well as 10% of proffesional proceeds will go to Swanage Dementia Friendly Group.
Breakfast, pastries and Barista Coffee available on the premises, fantastic...

Dates

From:
29 May 2017Open 09:00 - 13:00
Events at Durlston Country Park: Cave Art with John House

Type

Type:

Workshop

Swanage

Cave Art with John Houseally.

Venue

Durlston Country Park National Nature Reserve, Swanage

Dates

From:
30 May 2017
Marty MacDonald's Toy Machine

Type

Type:

Show/Display

Wimborne

A fantastic show aimed at 2-7 year olds featuring the voices of Cbeebie's Justin Fletcher and Nicole Davis as Pongo the Pig and Molly-Moo the cow. (Please note - Justin and Nicole do not appear in person)
"Everyone at Marty MacDonald's Farm is...

Dates

From:
30 May 2017Open 09:00 - 17:00
According to Arthur

Type

Type:

Family

Lyme Regis

To book tickets call the box office on 01297 442138
Please note that a 10% booking fee applies online and via the Tourist Info Centre
Full price: £8.00
Concessions: £6.00
Wednesday 31st May - 2pm
Thursday 1st - 11am
PLUS Workshop - Thursday...

Dates

From:
31 May 2017
The Royal Bath & West Show

Type

Type:

Show/Display

Somerset,

There's more happening than you think at the country's biggest rural festival and there really is something for everyone, from food lovers to families and farmers to fashionistas! Tickets available from Bridport/Dorchester/Sherborne TICs

Dates

From:

31 May 2017to3 June 2017Open 09:00 - 18:00
Events at Durlston Country Park: Wild Wednesdays

Type

Type:

Workshop

Swanage

Wild Wednesdays

Venue

Durlston Country Park National Nature Reserve, Swanage

Dates

From:
31 May 2017
From:
26 July 2017
From:
2 Aug 2017
From:
9 Aug 2017
From:
16 Aug 2017
From:
23 Aug 2017
From:
30 Aug 2017
WOS presents Spamalot

Type

Type:

Theatre

Weymouth

SPAMALOT - Funnier than the Black Death!
Monty Python's Spamalot gallops out to bring this hilarious production to the Weymouth Pavilion theatre (to the sound of banging coconut shells). Lovingly ripped off from the classic film comedy Monty Python...

Dates

From:

31 May 2017to3 June 2017Various Opening Times

From:
3 June 2017Open 19:30 - 22:00
Birdwatching Cruise

Type

Type:

Nature

Poole

Relax and enjoy an evening boat cruise from Poole Quay and Swanage Pier along Purbeck’s beautiful World Heritage Coast, guided by the Durlston Country Park Rangers. Geology, puffns, guillemots, kittiwakes and more.

Dates

From:
1 June 2017Open 18:00 - 22:00
From:
2 June 2017Open 18:00 - 22:00
From:
9 June 2017
From:
16 June 2017
From:
22 June 2017Open 18:00 - 22:00
From:
23 June 2017Open 18:00 - 22:00
From:
30 June 2017
Events at Durlston Country Park: Scarecrow Making

Type

Type:

Workshop

Swanage

Scarecrow Making

Venue

Durlston Country Park National Nature Reserve, Swanage

Dates

From:
1 June 2017
Events at Durlston Country Park: Durlston Castle Tour

Type

Type:

Guided Walk

Swanage

A half hour tour of Durlston Castle.
Donations welcome.

Venue

Durlston Country Park National Nature Reserve, Swanage

Dates

From:
1 June 2017
From:
6 July 2017
From:
3 Aug 2017
From:
7 Sept 2017
Film Screening: Winstanley (1975) (15)

Type

Type:

Film

Lyme Regis

Monmouth Film Screening
'Winstanley' (1975) (15)
Thursday 1st June 2017
7.30pm
Donations on the door to Community Play Fund
(Suggested donation £5)
Running Time: 1 hr 35 mins
Based on the story of 17th century social reformer Gerrard...

Dates

From:
1 June 2017
Juan Martin - Arte Flamenco Puro

Type

Type:

Performance

Dorchester

Tickets available from Dorchester TIC 01305 267992 and Dorchester Arts 01305 266926

Venue

Dorchester Arts, Dorchester

Dates

From:
1 June 2017Open 20:00 - 22:00
Story Boat Project

Type

Type:

Maritime

Lyme Regis

The Story Boat project is the creation of miniature maritime memories museum from an upturned boat in which people’s memories will be recorded and preserved.
Traditional wooden boatbuilder Gail McGarva in collaboration with local wheelwrights...

Dates

From:

1 June 2017to30 Sept 2017

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Swanage Fish Festival

Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra Proms in the Park

Bridport Hat Festival

Pommery Dorset Seafood Festival, Weymouth

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Highlights

Best for culture

Best for foodies

Best for music

Best for sport

Best for wildlife and nature

Book your accommodation

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