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You are here: What's On > Events
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 events...
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.
The multi-award-winning Nyetimber Dorset Seafood Festival is one of the largest food festivals in the country, taking place annually in July around Weymouth’s charming harbour. Enoy Nyetimber 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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
Number of results: 177
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Arts and Culture
Bournemouth and Poole’s award-winning seafront has been transformed into a work of art! The Selfie Wall Trail stretches from Sandbanks all the way to Southbourne! Win fantastic prizes! Use #loveselfiewalls
Virtual Event
Christchurch
We have our online virtual fitness classes to help you stay fit at home!
Art
DORCHESTER
FORM - The Sculpture Show is taking place at Sculpture by the Lakes in Dorset from 1st April - 16th May. More than 30 of the UK's leading sculptors will exhibit their pieces across the sculpture park. Some 200 pieces will feature – making it not…
Food and Drink
Studland
Come and learn the skills required to learn how to stand up paddleboard in Dorset and take to the blue stuff with us on one of the best ways to travel. Let one of our experienced instructors teach you the skills required to use our nah skwell stand…
Art
Mill Lane, BRIDPORT
Grasping our first opportunity to showcase our Associate members' work, Sou'-Sou'-West Gallery is exhibiting original and innovative work which will uplift all our spirits.
Creating inspiring work during stressful and isolated restrictions, the…
Heritage
Mill Lane, LYME REGIS
Julie specialise in skies and landscapes. Inspirations have come from her rural childhood, life on the Jurassic Coast and numerous extended travel periods exploring 6 continents, encountering astonishing landscapes and cultures. She makes sketches…
Town Mill, Lyme Regis
Family
Dorchester
Redlands Adventure Game
An exciting new outside military themed adventure game is launching this Spring at Redlands Coppice near Dorchester.
Arts and Culture
LYME REGIS
CANCELLED - This event has been cancelled.
This date of this event has changed (the previous date was 18 April 2020). All original tickets are valid for the new date.
The pianist from folk duo O'Hooley & Tidow, who wrote and performed the theme…
The Marine Theatre, West Dorset
Heritage
Mill Lane, LYME REGIS
Printmakers Open Exhibition.
Courtyard gallery welcomes all printmakers to take part in this Open Exhibition in the Courtyard Gallery.
Closing date for entry 2nd April 2021
contact petrinatownmill@gmail.com for entry form.
What's your…
Town Mill, Lyme Regis
Comedy
LYME REGIS
CANCELLED - This event has been cancelled.
A big-name comedian known for his tour de force of one-liners, stories, poems and jokes. He's one of Britain’s most loved comedians for his multiple, memorable and moving television appearances, his…
The Marine Theatre, West Dorset
Talk or Lecture
SWANAGE
Swanage Pier have immense pleasure in announcing a series of five talks about the wildlife, geology, and coastal history around the Purbeck Coast. Thanks to the Victorian entrepreneurs, George Burt and John Mowlem, Swanage has a unique collection…
Swanage Pier, Swanage
Workshop
Swanage
Park Yoga
Art
Lyme Regis
'ME TIME' WOODROFFE SCHOOL EXHIBITION 6TH MAY – 20TH MAY COURTYARD GALLERY
"Me Time" An exhibition of work from teenage artists and younger completed through the lockdown era; a reminder of the value of creative escapism.
Market
Lyme Regis
Our fabulous Lyme Regis Farmers' Market is held on the second Friday of the month in the Marine Parade Shelters.
We proudly bring together local producers, makers and growers from a 30 mile radius to create a diverse and fantastic shopping…
Music
High Street, Wimborne Minster
CANCELLED - This event has been cancelled.
Publication of his Vespers in 1610 almost certainly helped Monteverdi secure the post of maestro di cappella at St Mark's in Venice. Famed for its thrilling rhythms, grand choruses and beautiful solo…
Show/Display
WEYMOUTH
Southern Armour Group are returning to Nothe Fort!
And they are bringing a variety of Remote Controlled vehicles with them; ranging from large scale RC tanks to small military vehicles, that span a multitude of eras and models.
This experience is…
Nothe Fort, Weymouth and Portland
Market
DORCHESTER
Dorchester Vegan Market returns outdoors to the historic Maumbury Rings for this Spring!
In a much safer environment and still FREE ENTRY everyone can come and enjoy this superb outdoor event with 40+ Stalls of 100% vegan products. And with a…
Children's
Swanage
The Woodland Clan Activity Trail
Children's
SWANAGE
Join a magical adventure trail at Durlston Country Park in Swanage and Corfe Castle.
Children's
Coram Avenue, LYME REGIS
Come and see 'About a Bee', Or Fish for Ivor in the Sea! Then sing along in seaside rhyme, And learn how seagulls spend their time! Running from 19 May until 19 June, Telling Tales! is the third Lyme Bay Arts exhibition at the Rotunda Gallery in…
Lyme Regis Museum, Lyme Regis
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