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 and swam in our seas 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.

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

The SeaFeast Dorset Seafood Festival in September 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 the Jurassic Fields Music 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.

The summer holidays get off to a great start with Camp Bestival. Lulworth Castle provides the stunning backdrop for this well renowned family festival. With music to tickle 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 Swanage during late summer. 

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

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 at West Bay, Dorset County Show in Dorchester and the Gillingham and Shaftesbury Agricultural 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 illuminated pathways through enchanted glades at Abbotsbury Subtropical 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!

Dorset Festivalscoming soon

Blandford Literary Festival Nov 15

Blandford Literary Festival

Friendly festival of words, books and poetry. Book talks, workshops and events for children. Music and poetry event. Book and craft fair. Stock up for Christmas! All children's events and some...

Blandford Literary Festival Nov 15

Blandford Literary Festival

Celebrating the Written, Spoken & Sung Word in Beautiful North Dorset! A lively weekend of stories, ideas & discovery and various venues across the town! • Inspiring author talks • Interesting...

Christmas Lights Switch On | Lyme Regis Nov 21

Christmas Lights Switch On | Lyme Regis

The spectacular Christmas lights switch on takes place in Broad Street on Saturday 21 November 2026. See the Christmas Illuminated Carnival parade at 5pm followed by the lights switch on. It...

Angel Festival Nov 28

Angel Festival

Angel Festival 2026 This year as a part of our Advent and Christmas celebrations, we are hosting an Angel Festival at St Michael and All Angel's Church here in Verwood. We are inviting all of the...

eat:Shaftesbury Nov 28

eat:Shaftesbury

eat:Shaftesbury festive festival of local food and drink, Saturday 28 November 10-4pm will showcase over 80 producers – including farmers' market favourites like ales, cheese and baked goods...

Swanage Christmas Lights Switch On Nov 28

Swanage Christmas Lights Switch On

As the countdown to 25th of December begins, come and join the community of Swanage on Saturday 28 November 2026 for a festive celebration whilst the Christmas lights are switched on for the...

Bridport Christmas Cheer Dec 09

Bridport Christmas Cheer

Christmas is coming and Bridport is getting ready! The whole town, surrounding villages and visitors to the area are invited to attend the popular Christmas Cheer evening taking place in 2026 on...

Sherborne Abbey Festival Apr 29

Sherborne Abbey Festival

Sherborne's annual Abbey Music Festival takes places from 29 April to 6 May 2027. With another full programme of music concerts, venues include Sherborne Abbey, Cheap Street...

Ooser Fest Apr 30

Ooser Fest

Join us in Dorchester for Ooser Fest 2027, a vibrant multi-venue community folk festival celebrating local folklore, traditional music, and Dorset heritage across the May Day Bank Holiday weekend from...

Purbeck Art Weeks May 29

Purbeck Art Weeks

Purbeck Art Weeks 2027 promises two inspiring weeks of creativity, performance and discovery across one of the most beautiful corners of the UK. Here's a taste of what's in store: A...

Swanage Fish and Food Festival Jun 05

Swanage Fish and Food Festival

Sandpit Field overlooks the beautiful Swanage Bay and is the stage for cooking demonstrations by top notch chefs. Find out how to cook exciting recipes and how to prepare wet and...

Wimborne Minster Folk Festival Jun 11

Wimborne Minster Folk Festival

As is traditional, on the second weekend of June, Wimborne Minster will come alive with the annual Folk Festival as the streets, pubs and concert halls are filled with morris dancers, music...

Bridport Food Festival Jun 12

Bridport Food Festival

A foodie festival takes place in Bridport every June in celebration of local food and drink in and around the town. This year the Bridport Food Festival takes place at Askers Meadow on...

Why notstay a while?

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Our Place in Portland

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Riverside Park

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Rosewall Camping

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Summer Lodge Country House Hotel and Spa

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Toad Hall Cottages

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White Horse Farm

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Clifftops

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Cove Lodge

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Grandeur Property

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Kersbrook

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Knoll House Hotel

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Lulworth Holiday Cottages

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Lyme Bay Holidays

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Mallinson’s Woodland Retreat

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Osmington Mills Lodge Park

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Pennsylvania Castle

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What does your Dorset look like? Adventures on our epic coastline? Visiting attractions with family? A walk through the beautiful countryside? Or perhaps a chilled out evening eating and drinking with friends? Discover a sample of your #VisitDorset images below and share your love for Dorset using the hashtag on Instagram.