Music events in Dorset

If you seek laid back jazz, lively bands, quirky folk music or chart topping hits, we’ll get your feet tapping in Dorset.

Whatever your taste in music, we can guarantee there will be a musical event that you’ll being queuing to get tickets for.

Now, who said Dorset was quiet?

Music to your ears

We've got festivals and music events for all tastes, whether you like a bit of folk, reggae, pop or perhaps classical or more up your street, Dorset has it all....and in some of the most wonderful settings!

From stunning abbeys to picturesque castle grounds you will be in tune with your sense with music in your ears and a beautiful sight for your eyes.

Kick back with a cocktail and listen to some smooth jazz

Dorset is no stranger to the odd jazz festival or two!  With festivals featuring bands from across most of the spectrum of jazz, from New Orleans to contemporary sounds, with lots of leading names as well as new faces you're sure to find one to tap along to.

What better than to spend a weekend on the coast, listening to your favourite melodies played by some of the country’s best talent and soaking up the atmosphere and entertainment?

Raise your hands in the air for Camp Bestival!

Camp Bestival's live music selection covers all bases from rock to pop and way beyond, with brilliant and diverse headliners each year.

This festival has families at it's heart and there's loads for everyone to enjoy whatever age.

Past line ups have included Jess Glynne, Fatboy Slim, Beckie Hill and Blondie plus the very best in new music and lots of sing-along favourites too.

Whether you're young or just young at heart, there's a live act that will get you jumping, so we'll see you down the front!

Partied out?

If you’re dancing the night away, then you’ll need a place to stay.

We can help you find accommodation in Dorset whether you need a hotel for the night or a cottage for the week.

Music eventscoming soon!

Geoff Robb – The Music of Trees Jun 17

Geoff Robb – The Music of Trees

A Purbeck Guitar Festival concert at Sandy Hill Arts, Corfe Join Geoff Robb at Sandy Hill Arts in Corfe for an atmospheric evening which celebrates nature and beautiful acoustic guitar music. Inspired...

Our Stories: Queer in the Countryside Jun 17

Our Stories: Queer in the Countryside

This May-August Bridport Arts Centre celebrates LGBTQIA+ lives and creativity in rural West Dorset with a season of performances, workshops and artworks. The season profiles work by local LGBTQIA+...

Swanage Town Band Concert Jun 18

Swanage Town Band Concert

We are delighted to be playing on Swanage Bandstand again this summer and are looking forward to our first concert there on Wednesday 21st May at 7pm. We look forward to seeing you there and hope you...

Ricky Romain Concert Jun 19

Ricky Romain Concert

Ricky has performed at festivals and concert halls throughout the UK and in Europe and has also been involved in a wide variety of collaborations and recordings with Classical Indian musicians.He also...

Bands For Bravery Music & Family Festival Jun 20

Bands For Bravery Music & Family Festival

Welcome to Bands For Bravery 2025! After the huge success of our inaugral event in June 2024 we are already getting ready to rock out at this epic event happening at Longthorns Farm. Join us for a...

Guitar Heroes Concert Jun 20

Guitar Heroes Concert

The Purbeck Guitar Festival and Swanage Jazz Club, proudly present Peter Cooley, a soulful singer and guitarist hailing from Bournemouth. With roots tracing back to soul, funk, and blues, Peter has...

The Goudies Jun 20

The Goudies

Husband and wife folk-country duo The Goudies are once again returning to their former hometown for a full-band show - this time with support from their friends Our Atlantic Roots. Their emotionally...

CHESIL ROCKS at the Pavilion Jun 21

CHESIL ROCKS at the Pavilion

Chesil Rocks is an annual music and arts festival, that raises funds for the Dorset branch of the Samaritans charity. Taking place this year at Weymouth Pavilion on 21st June -having previously been...

Dorset County Orchestra Summer Concert Jun 21

Dorset County Orchestra Summer Concert

Join Dorset County Orchestra for our summer concert when we return to St Mary's Church with another fabulous and varied programme. This year we welcome Hugo Svedberg who will play Max Bruch's...

Folk on the Quay Jun 21

Folk on the Quay

Poole's Folk Festival brings you the best in National, International and local folk & acoustic music, with dancers in the streets overlooking Poole’s lovely Harbour. For...

Lunchtime Concert Jun 21

Lunchtime Concert

Join us at St Peter's Church on Dorchester Saturday 21st June between 12.30pm and 1pm for our free lunchtime concert. This is a thirty-minute programme of music for trombone, performed by Kevin...

Swanage Fish and Food Festival Jun 21

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...

Xuefei Yang in Concert Jun 21

Xuefei Yang in Concert

Xuefei Yang has been described as 'one of the 100 top classical musicians of our time' by classic FM Xuefei Yang is the first-ever internationally recognised Chinese guitarist on the world...

Bridport Chamber Orchestra Summer Concert Jun 22

Bridport Chamber Orchestra Summer Concert

Bridport Chamber Orchestra's summer concert "an afternoon with Mozart" features Duncan Honeybourne, solo piano, performing Piano Concerto no.21 on the newly refurbished grand piano....

We handrawn heart celebrating Christmas!

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.