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

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Festivals in Dorset

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Highlights

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 the Wonky Donk 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!

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Bridport Carnival

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
Dorchester Cider Festival

Type

Type:

Festival

Dorchester

The annual Dorchester Cider Festival returns to Borough Gardens on Saturday 21st August at 14:00. 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 14:00 - 22:30

Free
The Great Dorset Steam Fair

Type

Type:

Show/Display

Blandford Forum

CANCELLED - This event has been cancelled for 2021. 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…

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 for 2021. You can enjoy 4 days of action and entertainment in the air, on land and at sea from 2 - 5 September. This is a fantastic opportunity to see some of the…

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
Gillingham Walking Festival

Type

Type:

Festival

Gillingham

Gillingham Walking Festival 4-11th September 2021
We're back and we hope to have walks of all sorts of lengths on a variety of themes based around our wonderful town.

We will be following the COVID guidelines as set by The Ramblers and you will…

Dates

From:

4 September 2021to11 September 2021Various Opening Times

Free
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 5-day festival exploring what it means to be mindful and live well in this fast-paced modern world. A curated blend…

Dates

From:

8 September 2021to12 September 2021Open 10:00 - 18:00

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
Contender Fest

Type

Type:

Festival

Christchurch, Bournemouth

This brand-new food and fitness festival has everything from great food vendors to overnight camping and an obstacle course.
Craft Artisan makers, gym equipment, exercise classes, wild street food.
This 3-day Bournemouth festival is a spotlight…

Dates

From:
10 September 2021Open 15:00 - 22:00
From:
11 September 2021Open 09:00 - 22:00
From:
12 September 2021Open 09:00 - 17:00

Price £3.50 to £21.00 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
Nyetimber Dorset Seafood Festival

Type

Type:

Festival

Weymouth

New date for 2021 11-12 September for the Nyetimber Dorset Seafood Festival offers an amazing opportunity to gain a better understanding of the superb seafood available to us just off our wonderful shores.

Dates

From:

11 September 2021to12 September 2021Open 10:00 - 18:30
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
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
VERVE Wellness Festival

Type

Type:

Festival

Tisbury

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:
25 September 2021Open 09:00 - 00:00

Price Free to £70.00 Per Ticket
Bournemouth Arts by the Sea Festival

Type

Type:

Arts and Culture

Bournemouth

We are thrilled to announce that the 10th Arts by the Sea will go ahead, in a revised COVID-friendly format this September!

Dates

From:

1 October 2021to3 October 2021
Sherborne Literary Festival

Type

Type:

Festival

SHERBORNE

Sherborne's Literary Festival will be back in 2021. Sherborne's literary festival with authors of national standing, proven authors who have established followings and cutting edge writers who are at the forefront of creative thinking.

Dates

From:

20 October 2021to22 October 2021
Bridport Literary Festival

Type

Type:

Festival

Bucky Doo Square, South Street, Bridport

The Bridport Literary Festival will be back for a week of events in November 2021. This vibrant annual festival brings a variety of authors to different venues in and around Bridport. Perfect for all book lovers, the festival has a wide literary…

Dates

From:

7 November 2021to13 November 2021Open 10:00 - 08:00

Price £5.00 to £10.00 Per Ticket
THE STRAWBS

Type

Type:

Music

LYME REGIS

This event has been rescheduled from 18 September 2020. All original tickets are valid.
Dave Cousin's legendary band originate from the 60s and traverse rock, folk, bluegrass, and prog. Former members include Sandy Denny, Rick Wakeman, and…

Venue

The Marine Theatre, West Dorset

Dates

From:
27 November 2021

Price £17.50 to £19.50 Per Ticket
LAU

Type

Type:

Music

LYME REGIS

For the first time in over a decade, Lau present an entirely acoustic tour. The pioneering Scottish folk trio have always experimented with sound and form; the results have always been complex and thrilling.
This event has been rescheduled from 04…

Venue

The Marine Theatre, West Dorset

Dates

From:
18 February 2022

Price £18.50 Per Ticket
Dorset Knob Throwing & Food Festival

Type

Type:

Festival

The world-famous Dorset Knob Throwing and Food Festival has been cancelled for 2021 and will return in 2022.

Dates

From:
1 May 2022Open 10:00 - 16:00

Price £5.00 Per Ticket

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Festivals in Dorset

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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

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