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

You are here: What's On > Festivals

Festivals in Dorset

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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!

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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:

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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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Number of results: 37

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  1. Lyme Regis Lifeboat Week

    Add Lyme Regis Lifeboat Week to your Itinerary

    Lyme Regis Lifeboat Week

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    LYME REGIS

    CANCELLED but save the date for 2021 which is 24-31 July!!

    Lyme Regis Lifeboat Week is a week full of fun, from a teddy bears picnic, pavement art to a bathtub race. There will be various displays, music evenings, fireworks, Paras Red Devils…

    Dates

    From:
    24 July 2021to31 July 2021
  2. Camp Bestival fireworks at Lulworth Castle

    Add Camp Bestival to your Itinerary

    Camp Bestival

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    East Lulworth

    A music and performance festival hosted at Lulworth Castle, set against the backdrop of England’s dramatic Jurassic coastline in Dorset.

    Venue

    Lulworth Castle & Park, Lulworth

    Dates

    From:
    29 July 2021to1 August 2021
  3. People looking around at boats

    Add Poole Harbour Boat Show to your Itinerary

    Poole Harbour Boat Show

    Type

    Type:

    Boating

    Poole

    ***CANCELLED*** The 2021 Poole Harbour Boat Show has been cancelled due to coronavirus

    Dates

    From:
    30 July 2021to1 August 2021
  4. Swanage Carnival Image Credit Greg Edgings

    Add Swanage Carnival & Regatta to your Itinerary

    Swanage Carnival & Regatta

    Type

    Type:

    Festival

    Swanage

    Swanage Regatta and Carnival is the premier carnival on the South Coast. For one week at the end of July and the beginning of August, Swanage will be radiating to the sound, fun and excitement.

    Venue

    Swanage Beach, Swanage

    Dates

    From:
    31 July 2021to7 August 2021
  5. Lyme Regis Regatta & Carnival Week

    Add Lyme Regis Regatta & Carnival Week to your Itinerary

    Lyme Regis Regatta & Carnival Week

    Type

    Type:

    Carnival

    Lyme Regis

    A variety of events during Lyme Regis Regatta & Carnival Week including carnival procession, regatta races. Activities and events for all ages!  Lyme Regis Regatta & Carnival Week, run during the school summer holidays, is our biggest fundraising…

    Dates

    From:
    7 August 2021to14 August 2021
  6. Bridport Carnival

    Add Bridport Carnival CANCELLED FOR 2020 to your Itinerary

    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
  7. Dorchester Cider Festival CANCELLED FOR 2020

    Add Dorchester Cider Festival CANCELLED FOR 2020 to your Itinerary

    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
  8. Great Dorset Steam Fair - Visit Dorset

    Add The Great Dorset Steam Fair to your Itinerary

    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
  9. Lyme Regis Folk Festival

    Add Lyme Regis Folk Festival to your Itinerary

    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
  10. Typhoon flying upwards during their air festival display

    Add Bournemouth Air Festival to your Itinerary

    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
  11. VERVE Wellness Festival

    Add VERVE Wellness Festival to your Itinerary

    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
  12. Wellbeing by the Lakes

    Add Wellbeing by the Lakes to your Itinerary

    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
  13. Swanage Folk Festival

    Add Swanage Folk Festival to your Itinerary

    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
  14. b-side Festival

    Add b-side Festival to your Itinerary

    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
  15. Night shot of illuminated art

    Add Inside Out Dorset Festival to your Itinerary

    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
  16. Kermiz by Le Cirque du Platzak (C) JMA Photography

    Add Inside Out Dorset to your Itinerary

    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
  17. Sherborne Literary Festival

    Add Sherborne Literary Festival to your Itinerary

    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
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