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 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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Dorset Dogs Festival

Type

Type:

Animal/Wildlife

Poole

A wonderful celebration of dogs, countryside and wild creatures!
Have-a-go at family and dog activities including fun agility, hoopers, rally, guided walkies and enjoy the fun dog show or explore the gorgeous, spacious meadows, 40+ dog,…

Dates

From:
17 August 2019Open 11:00 - 16:00

Free
Rock n Ribs Festival

Type

Type:

Festival

Templecombe

Rock n Ribs is an American explosion in the heart of the West Country with 8 tribute rock bands, incredible barbecue, big rigs, cars, rides, games and more at Henstridge Airfield.
You'll find the UK's finest tributes to Lynyrd Skynyrd, Green Day,…

Dates

From:
17 August 2019Various Opening Times

Price £5.00 to £35.00 Per Ticket
Dorchester Cider Festival

Type

Type:

Festival

Dorchester

A FREE family friendly celebration of the regions finest cider producers, special guests, great food and live music throughout the day.

Dates

From:
17 August 2019Open 15:00 - 22:00

Free
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:
17 August 2019
Country Day

Type

Type:

Country Show

Nr Wareham

Country day Creech Grange, Traditional Fete, Country Fair, Purbeck, Vintage cars, Alpacas, Children's activity, Burgers, Cream teams, Lady st mary Church, Church Fete, hurdle making, crafts, Raffle, local,

Dates

From:
18 August 2019Open 11:00 - 17:00

Price Free to £2.00 Per Ticket
Bridport Torchlight Procession

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:
18 August 2019
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:

22 August 2019to26 August 2019
Cinema under the stars

Type

Type:

Festival

Corfe Castle

Purbeck Film Festival present open air cinema at Corfe Castle. Pack a picnic and experience the magic of watching a film with family and friends within the castle ruins. (See website for film titles and details). Gates open at 7.30pm. Films start 8…

Venue

Corfe Castle, Corfe Castle

Dates

From:

23 August 2019to25 August 2019Open 19:30 - 22:30

Price £6.00 to £27.00 Per Ticket
The Oak Fair

Type

Type:

Country Show

Stock Gaylard, Sturminster Newton

The Oak Fair is a special two day event celebrating the countryside, woodland, craft, timber & more!
With over 200 exhibitors & craftsman, a children's area, demonstrations & shows throughout the day including heavy horses, tree climbing &…

Dates

From:

24 August 2019to25 August 2019Open 10:00 - 05:00

Price £1.00 to £10.00 Per Ticket
Flower & Dog Show

Type

Type:

Country Show

Lower Street, Bridport

Whitchurch, Morcombelake & Ryall annual Flower and Dog Show. Entry to the show is £1.50 (children under 16 free). Dog show includes varied classes. There will be a bar, Morris Dancers, ferret racing, live music, stalls, refreshments, skittles &…

Dates

From:
26 August 2019Open 14:00 - 17:00

Price Free to £1.50 Per Ticket
Summer holidays open air theatre: Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves (Illyria theatre company)

Type

Type:

Festival

Corfe Castle

Pack a picnic and enjoy a magical evening of theatre within the castle ruins from 6:15pm.
Booking essential. Tel: 03442491895
Price: Adults £18, Children £9, Family (2A,2C) £45.

Venue

Corfe Castle, Corfe Castle

Dates

From:
27 August 2019Open 19:00 - 21:00

Price £9.00 to £45.00 Per Ticket
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:
29 August 2019Open 10:00 - 22:00
From:
30 August 2019Open 10:00 - 22:00
From:
31 August 2019Open 10:00 - 22:00
From:
1 September 2019Open 10:00 - 18:00

Free
Lyme Folk Weekend

Type

Type:

Festival

Lyme Regis

Festival | Lyme Regis Folk Festival | Friday 30th August - Sunday 1st September 2019
Lyme Regis Folk Festival 2019 is back next summer for its fourth annual event! Organisers say it will be bigger and better but still retain its intimate Lyme Regis…

Venue

The Marine Theatre, West Dorset

Dates

From:

30 August 2019to1 September 2019
Festival of grasses

Type

Type:

Festival

Hampreston, Wimborne

Nationally renowned for its naturalistic displays of ornamental grasses, 2019 sees the launch of the first Festival of Grasses at Knoll Gardens.
The Festival marks the 25th anniversary of Neil Lucas's arrival at Knoll and runs throughout the…

Dates

From:

1 September 2019to31 October 2019Open 10:00 - 17:00

Price £6.50 Per Ticket
Gillingham Walking Festival

Type

Type:

Festival

Gillingham

Gillingham Walking Festival provides small and friendly walks in our beautiful countryside.Enjoy gentle rolling farmland and explore where our local food and drink comes from. With some opportunities to taste them as well.
For some walks you will…

Dates

From:

4 September 2019to8 September 2019Various Opening Times

Free
Dark Holler'19

Type

Type:

Festival

Wareham

For the fifth year running and recommended by one of America's most renowned Underground Americana Festivals - Muddy Roots: Our mission is to spread the Muddy Roots Gospel worldwide.
The Dark Holler Festival brings bands together from all over…

Dates

From:

6 September 2019to8 September 2019Open 12:00 - 23:55

Price £25.00 to £50.00 Per Ticket
Poole Blues Festival

Type

Type:

Festival

Poole

Poole’s Blues Festival is a weekend of soulful music with bands across different Poole venues.

Dates

From:

6 September 2019to8 September 2019
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 6th September to Sunday 8th September our small seaside town on the beautiful Jurassic coast of…

Dates

From:

6 September 2019to8 September 2019Various Opening Times

Price £10.00 Per Ticket
Sculpture Exhibition at Corfe Castle

Type

Type:

Community

Corfe Castle, Wareham

Enjoy the arts this autumn with a sculpture exhibition within the castle grounds set up by local Purbeck artists.

Venue

Corfe Castle, Corfe Castle

Dates

From:

7 September 2019to13 October 2019
VERVE Festival

Type

Type:

Festival

Wiltshire

VERVE is a festival that celebrates health, wellness and nature this September 7&8 in the Chalke Valley, near Shaftesbury.
Set on a picturesque farm, festival goers can do yoga, meditation, Pilates, woodland exercise classes, farm runs, forest…

Dates

From:
7 September 2019Various Opening Times
From:
8 September 2019Various Opening Times

Price Free to £25.00 Per Ticket

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Bridport Hat Festival

Great Dorset Steam Fair

Bestival at Lulworth Castle

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What's On

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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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