Soak up the atmosphere of Camp Bestival at Lulworth Castle
The Great Dorset Steam Fair

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Events in Dorset

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Highlights

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...

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 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.

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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Bridport Carnival CANCELLED FOR 2020

Type

Type:

Carnival

Bridport

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 features plenty of floats and colourful walking entries.

Dates

From:

16 August 2021to22 August 2021
Gillingham & Shaftesbury Agricultural Show

Type

Type:

Show/Display

Nr SHAFTESBURY

A traditional midweek Agricultural Show with over 2000 animals plus Kennel Club Dog Show. 500 Trade & Craft stands, food hall & farmers market. All day events in 3 rings. A great day out for all the family.

Dates

From:
18 August 2021
Dorchester Cider Festival CANCELLED FOR 2020

Type

Type:

Festival

Dorchester

The annual Dorchester Cider Festival returns to Borough Gardens on Saturday 15th August at 15:00. A FREE family friendly celebration of the regions finest cider producers, special guests, great food and live music throughout the day. Meet and be…

Dates

From:
21 August 2021Open 15:00 - 22:00

Free
Melplash Show

Type

Type:

Fete/Fair

Bridport

The Melplash Agricultural Show 2019 takes place at the Showground, West Bay, Bridport on Thursday 22nd August, and is a true celebration of rural life by the sea offering something for all the family to enjoy.

Dates

From:
26 August 2021Open 08:00 - 18:00
The Great Dorset Steam Fair

Type

Type:

Show/Display

Blandford Forum

Steam engine exhibits, vintage vehicles, heavy shire horses and rural crafts. Working rural displays on a 500-acre site including old time steam funfair. Tickets on sale from Tourist Information Centres across Dorset.

Venue

The Great Dorset Steam Fair, Blandford Forum

Dates

From:

26 August 2021to30 August 2021
Lyme Regis Folk Festival

Type

Type:

Performance

Lyme Regis

Full programme details will soon be available from www.lymefolk.com. For more information, please phone the Lyme Regis Tourist Information Centre on 01297 442138.

Dates

From:

27 August 2021to30 August 2021

Free
Bournemouth Air Festival

Type

Type:

Festival

Bournemouth

The award winning and internationally renowned Bournemouth Air Festival is back again for 2019. You can enjoy 4 days of action and entertainment in the air, on land and at sea from 29 August - 1 September. This is a fantastic opportunity to see…

Dates

From:
2 September 2021Open 10:00 - 22:00
From:
3 September 2021Open 10:00 - 22:00
From:
4 September 2021Open 10:00 - 22:00
From:
5 September 2021Open 10:00 - 18:00

Free
VERVE Wellness Festival

Type

Type:

Festival

Chalke Valley, Near Shaftesbury

VERVE celebrates health, wellness and nature.
Join us for yoga, Pilates, meditation, sound bathing, breathwork, fitness & dance classes, nature walks and farm runs.
Forest bathe in the ancient woodland, listen to inspiring speakers, relax in the…

Dates

From:

4 September 2021to5 September 2021Various Opening Times

Price Free to £70.00 Per Ticket
Wellbeing by the Lakes

Type

Type:

Festival

Dorchester

Set in the picturesque Sculpture by the Lakes park nestled in 26 acres of Dorset's glorious countryside, Wellbeing by the Lakes is a 3-day festival exploring what it means to be mindful and live well in this fast-paced modern world. A curated blend…

Dates

From:

10 September 2021to11 September 2021Open 10:00 - 22:00

Price £55.00 Per Ticket
Swanage Folk Festival

Type

Type:

Festival

Swanage

The folk festival has come a long way since our first day of dance in 1992. It has grown into a full and varied weekend of music and dance. From Friday 11th September to Sunday 13th September our small seaside town on the beautiful Jurassic coast of…

Dates

From:

10 September 2021to12 September 2021Various Opening Times

Price £10.00 Per Ticket
b-side Festival

Type

Type:

Festival

Isle of Portland

A thousand ideas, one amazing island
If you love new experiences, exploring beautiful landscape and unique work created by artists from across the globe – then please make your way to Portland this September.

Dates

From:

11 September 2021to19 September 2021Open 11:00 - 18:00

Free
Inside Out Dorset Festival

Type

Type:

Festival

Poole Quay, Poole

Inside Out Dorset festival returns between 17 September - 26 September 2021 (the previous event date was 11 - 27 September 2020). Come with us on a performance adventure across Dorset, stay tuned as locations and performances are revealed.

Dates

From:

17 September 2021to26 September 2021
Inside Out Dorset

Type

Type:

Festival

Bridport Road, Dorchester

The Inside Out Dorset festival returns in 2020 with more extraordinary events in extraordinary places - Nearly all of it FREE!

Dates

From:

17 September 2021to26 September 2021
A Dance A Day

Type

Type:

Workshop

Easton, Portland

Come along and give it a try- your first class is free.

Dates

From:

26 September 2021to14 November 2021Various Opening Times

Price £3.50 Per Ticket
FaultyTowers - The Dining Experience

Type

Type:

Performance

BOURNEMOUTH

Straight from the stage of London's West End via the legendary Sydney Opera House, this international sensation is now coming to Key West on Friday 1st October 2021.
Become part of the action as Basil, Sybil and Manuel serve up mayhem on a…

Dates

From:
1 October 2021Open 19:00 - 22:00

Price £59.50 Per Ticket
FaultyTowers

Type

Type:

Performance

BOURNEMOUTH

Straight from the stage of London's West End via the legendary Sydney Opera House, this international sensation is now coming to Key West on Saturday 2nd October 2021.
Become part of the action as Basil, Sybil and Manuel serve up mayhem on a…

Dates

From:
2 October 2021Open 19:00 - 22:00

Price £49.50 Per Ticket
Billy Ocean

Type

Type:

Concert

Bournemouth

Billy's back! Billy Ocean will be performing the best of his greatest hits and songs from his upcoming new studio album One World which is due for release in Spring 2020.

Dates

From:
8 October 2021
Sherborne Pack Monday Fair

Type

Type:

Fete/Fair

SHERBORNE

Pack Monday Fair will return in 2021. Street market dating back to medieval times, held annually in Sherborne on the first Monday after 10th October – old Michaelmas Day.

Dates

From:
11 October 2021
An Evening With Harry Redknapp

Type

Type:

Talk or Lecture

21 Kingland Road, Poole

I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here winner and famous football manager will be telling stories from his football days and his time in the jungle.

Dates

From:
15 October 2021
Cliff Richard: The Great 80 Tour

Type

Type:

Concert

Bournemouth

Sir Cliff Richard live at The BIC.

Dates

From:
19 October 2021

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