Festivals in Dorset

Come to Dorset during any month and you’ll find an array of festivals and events to enjoy!

Dorset plays host to a variety of events such as music, theatre, comedy, country shows…and there are even a few more unusual events to be found that you simply won’t find anywhere else.

Spring into life!

As spring emerges, it’s time for a colourful mix of music, fossils and swans!

The Sherborne Abbey Music Festival is as majestic as it sounds with beautiful music in a magnificent setting. They say don’t look down but make sure you look up – the fan vaulted ceiling has to be seen to be believed, it will simply take your breath away!

Children will love taking a step back in time and discovering more about the dinosaurs that roamed our lands at Lyme Regis Fossil Festival.

If you’re looking for something a bit out of the ordinary then make sure you visit Abbotsbury Swannery from mid May. Walk through the paths and watch as fluffy cygnets hatch from eggs right before your eyes.

Dates for a foodie’s diary

As if that wasn’t enough, the wide variety of Dorset events includes plenty of events for those with a love of food.

In May, Christchurch Food & Wine Festival takes place and is one of the premier events of its type.

Or why not enjoy a day at the Dorset Knob Throwing Festival…we did say that there are more slightly unusual events taking place in Dorset!

The Pommery Dorset Seafood Festival in July is also a must where you can enjoy some of the finest, freshest seafood whilst relaxing with a cold glass of bubbly!

Get into the carnival spirit

June really kicks off the start of summer when the county is alive with festivals and carnivals.

Chill out and really get into the swing at Swanage Jazz Festival in July or let the kids (and grown ups!) enjoy some explosive fun at Tankfest!

The summer months also see traditional village fetes hang their bunting all across Dorset.

August gets off to a great start with Camp Bestival. Lulworth Castle provides the stunning backdrop for this well renowned family festival.

With music to tackle all taste buds, a fantastic line up for the little ones and much more, this is a festival not to be missed!

Morris Dancers bring the streets to life with their bright costumes and jingling bells with folk festivals in Lyme Regis and Purbeck during August.

Plus, if you like it hot then make sure you pop along to the Great Dorset Chilli Festival!

A unique blend of nostalgia and entertainment

Enjoy a giant trip of nostalgia into the days of yesteryear at the Great Dorset Steam Fair at the end of August, widely recognised as the leading event of its type in the world with 2,000 exhibits, 800 trade stalls and over 220 full size steam engines!

You’ll be all puffed out after an action packed day!

A true celebration of country life

If you’re looking for a great day out for the young and old to all enjoy then make sure you go along to one of our agricultural shows.

Melplash Show and Dorset County Show are crammed full of animal shows, magnificent displays, trade stalls and all the fun of the fair!

Don’t be fooled into thinking these are low key events, they really are buzzing with activity!

Fun and frolics with flamboyant and fabulous headwear

Get your hats at the ready by September for the Bridport Hat Festival, a wonderfully British celebration of eccentricity!

With music all around and entertainment for the whole family this wonderful, quirky event is not to be missed!

Celebrate Autumn

Celebrate the start of Autumn with a spectacular display of colours in the beautiful lakeside gardens at Sherborne Castle or take a magical evening stroll along candle-lit pathways through enchanted glades at Abbotsbury Sub Tropical Gardens.

Festive Dorset events with magic and sparkle

And it doesn’t stop there!

The year might be drawing to a close but there are still plenty of events to enjoy in Dorset, many of which have a touch of festive sparkle about them!

If you are planning to visit Dorset to take part in one of our amazing festivals and events, why not stay a while and make a holiday of it?

We’ve got plenty of accommodation for you to choose from – your perfect break is just a click away!

Also, we recommend you take a look at our things to do, places to visit, food and drink and travel pages to find out more on the following:

Last but not least, we highly recommend you to take a trip up to the iconic landscape of Broadchurch where ITV's famous crime series of the same name was filmed, you will be amazed at its stunning beauty!

Number of results:

Number of results: 51

, currently showing 1 to 20.

1
2
3
Next

Sort By: A-Z Lowest A-Z Highest

Country Day

Type

Type:

Country Show

Wareham

A Country Day Out for all the family
A fun filled day with lots to see and do

Dates

From:
19 August 2018Open 11:00 - 17:00
Creech Grange

Type

Type:

Country Show

Nr Wareham

Parish of Wareham Country day out.

Dates

From:
19 August 2018Open 11:00 - 17:00

Price Free to £2.00 Per Ticket
Bridport Torchlight Procession 2018

Type

Type:

Carnival

Bridport

Bridport's famous Torchlight Procession makes it's way from Bucky Doo Square in the centre of town down to West Bay where the traditional fireworksd and bonfire take place. Torches may be purchased from 6.30pm and the Procession begins around 9pm.

Dates

From:
19 August 2018
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.

Dates

From:

23 August 2018to27 August 2018
Secret Camping Weekend

Type

Type:

Festival

Swanage

SECRET CAMPING WEEKEND IS A NEW BREED OF LAID BACK WEEKEND GETAWAY. WE TAKEOVER PRIVATE CAMPSITES ACROSS THE UK AND PROVIDE ORGANISED EXPERIENCES AND WORKSHOPS DURING THE DAY, WITH FUN THEMED ENTERTAINMENT AT NIGHT (EVEN THE ODD PARTY)!
Our...

Dates

From:

24 August 2018to27 August 2018Various Opening Times

Price £98.50 Per Ticket
River Cottage Festival 2018

Type

Type:

Festival

Axminster

The River Cottage Festival returns for 2018 over the August Bank Holiday.
There'll be masterclasses, foraging, dancing, music and of course food! There'll be well-known chefs giving demonstrations, masterclasses to take part in, tasty street food...

Dates

From:

25 August 2018to26 August 2018Open 10:00 - 23:00

Price £17.50 Per Ticket
Stock Gaylard Oak Fair

Type

Type:

Country Show

Sturminster Newton

A special event for those interested in timber, woodcraft, the countryside and conservation. This year we have over 180 wood and timber related stalls, plus we'll be welcoming Adams Axmen, The Heavy Horses Display Team, Mere Down Falconry, The Tree...

Dates

From:

25 August 2018to26 August 2018Open 10:00 - 17:00
Whitchurch, Morcombelake & Ryall Flower and Dog Show

Type

Type:

Country Show

Bridport

Whitchurch, Morcombelake & Ryall annual Flower and Dog Show.
Entry to the show is £1.50 (children under 16 free). Various classes from fruit, veg and home produce to photography.
The dog show includes 10 varied classes.
There will be a bar,...

Dates

From:
27 August 2018Open 14:00 - 17:00
Buckland Newton Village Fete

Type

Type:

Country Show

Buckland Newton, Dorchester

Join us for another lovely family afternoon and escape the Bank Holiday traffic – our famous village fête with fun for all ages! From 1.00-4.30p.m. Grand Raffle with quality prizes e.g. hampers, pub meal for two; Tea Marquee with delicious cream...

Dates

From:
27 August 2018Open 13:00 - 16:30

Free
The English Soul

Type

Type:

Festival

Wareham

Music by Dowland, Britten, Vaughan Williams and Brian Elias, plus a selection of English folk melodies including The Ash Grove and The Trees they grow so high.
Part of Purbeck International Chamber Music Festival. This year, the highly respected...

Venue

Museum of Jurassic Marine Life - The Etches Collection, Wareham

Dates

From:
30 August 2018Open 20:00 - 21:00

Price £2.00 to £20.00 Per Ticket
A musical and historical journey to the city of Aleppo

Type

Type:

Festival

WAREHAM

A musical and historical journey to the city of Aleppo with Ibrahim Keivo (oud, voice and bazuq) and historian Philip Mansel.
Includes a free drink and a cake.
Limited capacity.
Part of Purbeck International Chamber Music Festival, which takes...

Dates

From:
30 August 2018Open 04:00 - 17:00

Price £2.00 to £30.00 Per Ticket
Winterreise

Type

Type:

Festival

Lytchett Minster, Poole

Franz Schubert: Winterreise with Fleur Barron (mezzo-soprano) and Marianna Shirinyan (piano)
Part of Purbeck International Chamber Music Festival, an annual classical music festival taking place in the beautiful surroundings of Purbeck in...

Dates

From:
30 August 2018Open 11:00 - 12:00

Price £2.00 to £12.00 Per Ticket
Purbeck International Chamber Music Festival

Type

Type:

Festival

Purbeck

Annual chamber music festival taking place in the beautiful surroundings of Purbeck in Dorset in historic locations, churches, unusual sites and schools.
2018 is set to be the biggest year yet for PICMF. The idea of journeying and a sense of...

Dates

From:

30 August 2018to2 September 2018Open 11:00 - 22:15

Free
Bournemouth Air Festival

Type

Type:

Festival

Bournemouth

The award winning and internationally renowned Bournemouth Air Festival is back again for 2018. You can enjoy 4 days of action and entertainment in the air, on land and at sea from 30 August - 2 September. This is a fantastic opportunity to see...

Dates

From:
30 August 2018Open 10:00 - 22:00
From:
31 August 2018Open 10:00 - 22:00
From:
1 September 2018Open 10:00 - 22:00
From:
2 September 2018Open 10:00 - 18:00

Free
Mahler, Messiaen & Brian Elias World Premiere

Type

Type:

Festival

WAREHAM

Classical, romantic and contemporary music by Mozart, Mahler, Messiaen, and a world premiere by British composer Brian Elias who turns 70 this year.
Part of Purbeck International Chamber Music Festival (30 Aug - 2 Sept 2018).

Dates

From:
31 August 2018Open 19:30 - 21:30

Price £2.00 to £20.00 Per Ticket
A Passage from India

Type

Type:

Festival

WAREHAM

Screening of Barrie Gavin's new film "A Passage from India" about highly respected British composer Brian Elias on the occasion of his 70th birthday.
Barrie Gavin and Brian Elias will introduce the movie. The screening will be accompanied by a Q&A...

Venue

The Rex Cinema, Wareham

Dates

From:
31 August 2018Open 16:00 - 17:30

Free
Lyme Regis Folk Weekend: Ninebarrow & Friends

Type

Type:

Folk

Lyme Regis

Music | Lyme Folk Weekend: Ninebarrow & Friends | Friday 31st August
As part of Lyme Folk Weekend, the multi-award winning duo, otherwise known as Jon Whitley and Jay LaBouchardiere, will perform along with three of their own favourite acts – the...

Venue

The Marine Theatre, West Dorset

Dates

From:
31 August 2018

Price £18.00 Per Ticket
Lyme Regis Folk Festival 2018

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:

31 August 2018to2 September 2018

Free
Bridport Hat Festival 2018

Type

Type:

Festival

Bridport

The 9th Bridport Hat Festival will take place on Saturday 1st September 2018.

Dates

From:

1 September 2018to2 September 2018
Lyme Folk Weekend: Merry Hell

Type

Type:

Folk

Lyme Regis

Music | Lyme Regis Folk Weekend: Merry Hell | Saturday 1st September
Saturday night is party night of Lyme Folk Weekend with the exuberant sound one of the most exciting live bands to have emerged in recent years.
Winners of both the Best Band and...

Venue

The Marine Theatre, West Dorset

Dates

From:
1 September 2018

Price £10.00 to £18.00 Per Ticket

1
2
3
Next

Things To Do Attractions, Activities, Shopping, Entertainment, Tours & Sightseeing,	What's On Events, Festivals, Nature, Submit Event,	Accommodation Hotels, Bed & Breakfast, Self Catering, Dorset Holiday Cottages, Caravan & Holiday Parks, Campsites, Glamping, Pubs & Inns, Farm Stays, Group Friendly, Pet Friendly, Accessible, Gradings & Awards,
Food & Drink Restaurants, Pubs & Bars, Cafes & Coffee Shops, Afternoon Tea, Local Produce, Farmers' Markets, Cookery Schools, Celebrity Chefs, Food Events,	Ideas & Inspiration Film & TV, Top 10 Ideas, Notable Days & Holidays, Short Break Ideas, Weddings in Dorset, Dog Friendly, Dorset Holidays, Dorset Videos, Special Offers,	Explore History & Heritage, Areas To Visit, Towns, Villages, Coast, Countryside, Areas Of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB),
Visitor Information Maps, Brochures & Guides, Apps & Downloads, Tourist Information Centres, Travel Information, Group Travel, Litter Free Dorset, Accessibility, Social Media, Contact Us,	Home

Follow Visit Dorset

Bridport Hat Festival

Bestival at Lulworth Castle

Great Dorset Steam Fair

Accommodation

Things To Do

What's On

Food & Drink

Search What's On

Highlights

Spring into life!

Dates for a foodie’s diary

Get into the carnival spirit

A unique blend of nostalgia and entertainment

A true celebration of country life

Fun and frolics with flamboyant and fabulous headwear

Celebrate Autumn

Festive Dorset events with magic and sparkle

Number of results:

Type

Type:

Dates

Type

Type:

Dates

Type

Type:

Dates

Type

Type:

Dates

Type

Type:

Dates

Type

Type:

Dates

Type

Type:

Dates

Type

Type:

Dates

Type

Type:

Dates

Type

Type:

Venue

Dates

Type

Type:

Dates

Type

Type:

Dates

Type

Type:

Dates

Type

Type:

Dates

Type

Type:

Dates

Type

Type:

Venue

Dates

Type

Type:

Venue

Dates

Type

Type:

Dates

Type

Type:

Dates