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!

Festivalhighlights

Car Nights on Poole Quay Jul 17

Car Nights on Poole Quay

Poole Quay hosts a unique, themed car event every Friday evening from 6pm during July and August, putting a great selection of popular car marques in the spotlight. 'Car Nights on Poole Quay'...

Shaftesbury Fringe Jul 18

Shaftesbury Fringe

Shaftesbury Fringe is the fastest growing open access performance festival in the South West! From 18 to 20 of July 2025, various venues in the centre of our historic town will host an...

Tolpuddle Martyrs' Festival Jul 18

Tolpuddle Martyrs' Festival

Tolpuddle has been a place of great importance to the Labour Movement from the moment news broke of the harsh sentences imposed on the six farm workers from Dorset which led to the early inception of...

The Wild Swimming Festival Jul 19

The Wild Swimming Festival

The Wild Swimming Festival is the event beside the sea that you've all been asking for. Featuring live music, swim races, seminars with experts in water safety sessions, local food and drink and...

Wooly Wonderland Yarn Bomb Festival Jul 21

Wooly Wonderland Yarn Bomb Festival

A series of inclusive knitting and crochet social groups and lessons in Easton Methodist Church. To later display at Easton gardens to decorate trees, benches and fences. Funded by Reveal - Portland...

Bournemouth Reggae Weekender Jul 25

Bournemouth Reggae Weekender

Welcome to the Bournemouth Reggae Weekender 2025! Join us for a weekend filled with good vibes, great music, and irie times at Kings Park, Boscombe. Get ready to groove to the rhythms of reggae, ska,...

Bridport Folk Festival Jul 25

Bridport Folk Festival

We are delighted to confirm that the Bridport Folk Festival will return this year with an exciting line up. Keep an eye on the website www.bridportfolkfestival.com as more information comes...

Poole Harbour Festival Jul 25

Poole Harbour Festival

Poole and Bournemouth's biggest & best family & live music festival is back on the 25th - 27th July 2025! The festival has over 60 live acts across SIX stages, an array of delicious street...

Wooly Wonderland Yarn Bomb Festival Jul 25

Wooly Wonderland Yarn Bomb Festival

Wooly Wonderland Yarn Bomb Festival will be in Easton Gardens. The festival comprises of knitted and crochet work made my locals and from all over Dorset! Everyone is encouraged to come together to...

Abbotsbury fete Jul 26

Abbotsbury fete

Get ready for a fantastic day out in the heart of Dorset – the Abbotsbury Beachcombers' Village Fête is back and it's bigger, brighter, and more full of fun than ever! Mark your...

Lyme Regis Lifeboat Week Jul 26

Lyme Regis Lifeboat Week

One of the town's biggest summer attractions, Lyme Regis and Charmouth Lifeboat Week is a whole week of fun, games, entertainment music and displays for all the family to enjoy. All the...

Swanage Carnival and Regatta Jul 26

Swanage Carnival and Regatta

Swanage Regatta and Carnival is the premier carnival on the South Coast. This ‘must do’ attraction has so much to offer everyone, from the magnificent two mile carnival procession, vibrant...

Songfest Jul 27

Songfest

Join The Quangle Wangle Choir in a harmony singing workshop led by Dan Pate (Bristol Riff Raff Choir). All welcome, from seasoned singers to nervous(?) newbies. Together we'll raise the roof, and...

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