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!

Inside Out Dorset Sep 24

Inside Out Dorset

Inside Out Dorset is bought to you by Activate Performing Arts. Extraordinary events in extraordinary places across Dorset. Inside Out Dorset is an international outdoor arts festival that takes place...

All The Old 45s: The Very Best of Deacon Blue Sep 28

All The Old 45s: The Very Best of Deacon Blue

The Top 10s, the favourites, the sing-a-long rarities - and touring the UK & Ireland in Autumn 2023. The band have always thrived onstage, but they've never played gigs quite like this:...

Philip Clouts Quartet Sep 28

Philip Clouts Quartet

Cape Town-born pianist/composer Clouts' South African roots have inspired a voyage of discovery that has led him to a voyage of discovery that has led to him soaking up the joyful passion of...

The Simon and Grafunkel Story Sep 28

The Simon and Grafunkel Story

Following SOLD-OUT performances in London's West End, a worldwide tour and standing ovations at every performance, The Simon & Garfunkel Story continues to stun audiences across the globe,...

Bournemouth Arts by the Sea Festival Sep 29

Bournemouth Arts by the Sea Festival

Arts by the Sea Festival at Bournemouth returns 29th September to 1st October 2023. Expect unusual and unique performances, music and art installations across the town centre, pier...

Bournemouth Arts by the Sea Festival Sep 29

Bournemouth Arts by the Sea Festival

Arts by the Sea is a celebration of art, culture, people and place. Arts by the Sea brings together large-scale spectaculars, diverse music, intriguing installations, dance, street theatre,...

Oktoberfest Poole Sep 29

Oktoberfest Poole

The south coasts BIGGEST Oktoberfest operator heads to Poole! A weekend filled with traditional Bavarian food, live music, and of course, the finest German beer. Oktoberfest Poole aims to recreate the...

Words Music and Silence - The House of Life Sep 29

Words Music and Silence - The House of Life

A practice-based examination of songs and the silence that frames them. This lecture recital will consider Ralph Vaughan Williams' settings of 6 sonnets by Dante Gabriel Rossetti (1904). The first...

iyatraQuartet Sep 30

iyatraQuartet

Described as 'one of the most exciting new music groups around at the moment', iyatraQuartet are multi-instrumentalists who create original, boundary-bending and joyful music. Their distinct...

Tom Jones Tribute on Bournemouth Pier Sep 30

Tom Jones Tribute on Bournemouth Pier

Tom Jones Tribute Comes To Bournemouth Pier! A tribute act dedicated to the legend that is Tom Jones. On Saturday 30th September 2023, Tom Jones comes to Bournemouth Pier! The Simon Howard Tom Jones...

BSO Rachmaninovs Rhapsody Oct 04

BSO Rachmaninovs Rhapsody

Rachmaninov's Rhapsody is an exercise in both compositional and pianistic prowess. It brilliantly exploits Paganini's theme in a freely imaginative and rhythmically energetic Romantic...

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat Oct 04

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

Based on the Bible's book of Genesis and originating from a cantata written for a school choir, Joseph is a much loved family classic. Written in 1968 and featuring lyrics by Tim Rice and music by...

Mike Denham Speakeasy with Ben Cummings Oct 05

Mike Denham Speakeasy with Ben Cummings

Ben Cummings had a fantastic reception when last in Dorchester with Mike. He is one of the most versatile and sought-after trumpeters on the British music scene, having played and recorded at the...

Swanage Blues Festival Oct 05

Swanage Blues Festival

The Big Blues Parties on the South Coast - Twice a year! * 15 Indoor Venues  * 30 Top Class Acts  * 50 Great Gigs, Open Mic and Jam Sessions * £15 Wristband /...

Buddy Holly and the Cricketers Oct 07

Buddy Holly and the Cricketers

This breathtaking live show has rock 'n' rolled audiences across the globe and is guaranteed to have everyone singing along to the music and dancing in the aisles! It stars a selection of the...

Choral Eucharist Oct 08

Choral Eucharist

You are warmly invited to our monthly, cathedral-style service of Choral Eucharist on Sunday 8th October at 10.30am in St Peter's Church, Dorchester. The music includes: Tye's 'Give almes...

Organ 200 Music Recital Oct 09

Organ 200 Music Recital

We are thrilled to announce that John Challenger (Assistant Director of Music at Salisbury Cathedral) will be giving a recital to celebrate 200 years of there being an organ at St Peter's Church....

Slay Queenz UK Tour 2023 - Bournemouth Oct 09

Slay Queenz UK Tour 2023 - Bournemouth

The original star of RuPaul's Drag Race UK - The Vivienne - (Series 1 Winner and this year's finalist on ITV's 'Dancing on Ice') will replace Danny Beard (Series 4 Winner) and she...

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