Events in Dorset
What's on in Dorset - full events calendar
Upcoming Dorset Events
The next 60 events in Dorset appear below. Please use the calendar above to browse events on a particular date and find out what's on.
23 Sep 2017 to 24 Sep 2017
Dorset Wine Festival
English sparkling, Organic and Bio-Dynamic wines will take centre stage at the first ever Dorset Wine Festival hosted at the prestigious 10 Castle Street in Cranborne.
The festival will offer informative and entertaining talks throughout the day by a wide variety of international wine experts, producers, growers and wine makers. Attendees can expect samplings, pairings and talks along with live entertainment and a selection of fabulous dining options.
Tickets @ £35 per day are ...
24 September 2017
Margaret Green Country Fayre
With such a successful Country Fayre last year we decided we must have another in 2017! We will be bringing you the best of Dorset on the 24th September from local crafts to the finest produce; feast on these delights whilst enjoying displays in our main ring! This is a day out for the whole family including your four legged friends and all money raised will help our rescue animals. You can expect hay bales and cider at this proper Country Fayre!
24 September 2017
Riley's Red Racers
A Community event to remember Riley Blaker, 12pm - 4pm on 24th September.
Riley's Red Racers will consist of a sponsored scoot along Weymouth Seafront followed by a family fun afternoon at Weymouth Pavilion.
Riley Blaker was only four when diagnosed with DIPG (diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma) in Sept 2015. DIPG is a malignant brain tumour, primarily diagnosed in children aged 5-9, and is terminal from outset. Riley lost his battle in June 2016.
We would like to hold this event in ...
16 Sep 2017 to 24 Sep 2017
Swanage & Purbeck Walking Festival
The beautiful Isle of Purbeck is a walker’s paradise. From coast to country, the variety is unsurpassed.
The Dorset coastal walking is spectacular. From a stroll along the beach in beautiful Victorian Swanage to a serious hike along the South West Coast Path, the Jurassic Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage site, the coast is truly special. But the Dorset hinterland is extraordinary too – wonderful heathland, walking through designated Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Sites of Special ...
24 September 2017
Weldmar's Superhero Fun Run
The Superhero Fun Run is all about being a hero for your local hospice, is open to the whole family. We want you to don your best superhero costume, and run around the one mile route, for this fun event which starts and ends at Bridport Football Club on Sunday 24th September 2017, from 11am.
We do ask that everyone gets themselves sponsored in aid of Weldmar Hospicecare Trust. However, we are not asking for a minimum sponsorship amount, just that you do your very best for such a worthy ...
24 September 2017
Wessex Heavy Horse Show & Country Fayre
30 September 2017
Mudeford Wood Oktoberfest
30 September 2017
Sixties Gold
Following last year's successful tour, Sixties Gold returns with an even stronger line-up of artists that, between them, scored over 50 UK Top 30 hits.
This will be Gerry and The Pacemakers’ farewell tour, so don’t miss the chance to experience this record breaking Merseybeat band. They were the second Liverpool group to chart, after The Beatles, but the first to reach No. 1 and the first act ever to top the chart with their first three singles.
Also from Liverpool, where it all ...
30 Sep 2017 to 01 Oct 2017
Opera Anywhere: The Mikado
Set in Japan, The Mikado presents a tangled web of love. Nanki-Poo, the son of the Mikado, flees in search of his true love, YumYum, to avoid marrying a much older suitor. Yum-Yum, however, is betrothed to Ko-Ko, the Lord High Executioner, against her will. Things, as you can see, are complicated! But can everything be righted before someone loses their head?
Venue: Corn Exchange
01 October 2017
Osprey Sprint Triathlon
The Osprey Sprint October race will put good use to the months of summer training you have put yourself through.
300m Pool Swim – 12 lengths of the pool starting at individual times 17k Bike – Around Portland Island, Visiting the Bill. 5k Run – Off road along Hamm Beach.
This is a perfect event for a fantastic end to the 2017 season.
Legacy café will be open throughout the event for spectators and competitors alike.
05 October 2017
RNLI Fish Supper
Join us for our RNLI Fish Supper.
Enjoy a stunning 3-course menu created in collaboration with Alex Aitken, Chef Patron of The Jetty restaurant. Alex will be co-hosting the supper at RNLI College Poole.
Enjoy an evening of fine food, guest speakers and live music.
£37.50 per person including canapés and fizz on arrival.
To request a seat at the table call 01202 663489 or email private_events@rnli.org.uk.
07 October 2017
Last Night of the Proms
Back by popular demand, our great family night out with some proms favourites, such as Fantasia on British Sea Songs, Pomp and Circumstance & Jerusalem (plus lots more fun music). And not forgetting – all the usual last night of the proms antics such as: flag waving, whistle blowing and horn honking and a little bit of singing to!
Last Night of The Proms, All Saints Church Wyke Regis, Saturday 7th October 2017 at 7.30pm with Weymouth Concert Brass.
Tickets £10 Adults and £5.00 ...
06 Oct 2017 to 07 Oct 2017
Octoberfest Weymouth
07 October 2017
Tank Mod
The Tank Museum will be inviting exhibitors from across the country to take part in its model exhibition.
Activities
View a large selection of modelling exhibitors from across the modelling spectrum - boats, planes, motor racing cars and of course military models. If you are inspired by the model collections, The Tank Museum's own volunteer modellers will also be in attendance and will be available to give advice in creating your own scale model. Get inspired and discover the hints and ...
30 Sep 2017 to 08 Oct 2017
Artsfest Open
07 Oct 2017 to 08 Oct 2017
Bournemouth Marathon Festival
The 2017 Bournemouth Marathon Festival takes place on 7th & 8th October. Stunning sea views, fresh, crisp clean air and the very best of Bournemouth and Poole is on show as the South Coast is home to an international marathon. This is the perfect natural environment for “running as it should be”. Be a part of it!
05 Oct 2017 to 08 Oct 2017
Swanage Blues Festival
11 October 2017
Abbotsbury Gardens Charity Preview Night
14 October 2017
Lorton Apple Day
Try out the traditional practice of apple juice and cider making, by helping chop, crush and squeeze apples - please bring some along - with the Weymouth Transition Town Group.
FREE event Drop in any time during the day (10.30am to 3pm) fantastic but slightly messy fun, so please wear old clothes. Meet at Lorton Meadows Centre, Lorton Lane, Weymouth, DT3 5QH.
13 Oct 2017 to 15 Oct 2017
Autumn Steam Gala
12 Oct 2017 to 15 Oct 2017
Roundabout Festival
October sees the return to Poole Park of Roundabout, Paine’s Plough’s beautiful and intimate pop-up theatre in-the-round. This year it will be host to a selection of live theatre, specially programmed comedy for kids, locally created performances and workshops.
Three exciting new plays will have their world premieres at the Roundabout Festival. See the website for more details.
11 Oct 2017 to 15 Oct 2017
Sherborne Literary Festival
12 Oct 2017 to 15 Oct 2017
Short Sounds Film Festival
The Short Sounds Film Festival is the world’s first dedicated celebration of cinematic sound and music. An event to champion the audio wizards that fill our heads with SOUNDS that make our heart race and SCORES that storm our souls. This October, join us in central Bournemouth for a programme of films richly authentic in their use of sound and music and a whole host of uniquely engaging experiential installations designed to challenge your very relationship with cinematic audio.
15 October 2017
Weymouth 10-Mile Road Race
The 56th Weymouth 10, organised by Egdon Heath Harriers is a 10-mile road race – the course is mostly flat (along the Esplanade), but with a challenging double loop around Bowleaze Coveway.
Runners start and finish the 10-mile route at the Pavilion end of Weymouth Esplanade.
Parking is available in the Pavilion car park, or there is on-street parking along the seafront which is only a few minutes' walk from Race HQ, or finally the Swannery car park (10-15 minute walk). All parking is Pay ...
14 Oct 2017 to 20 Oct 2017
Weymouth Speed Week
Weymouth Speed Week is the oldest and longest-running speed sailing event in the world. Held annually since 1972, it has challenged sailors of a wide variety of wind-powered craft to sail as fast as they can over a distance of 500m with their speed being recorded as the average speed over that distance.
14 Oct 2017 to 21 Oct 2017
Bournemouth Arts by the Sea Festival
21 October 2017
RNLI Weymouth Lifeboat Ball
The Weymouth Lifeboat Ball is an event to raise money for our local lifeboats. Starting at 7pm for a 7.30pm three course dinner, the evening promises to be a fabulous affair with the popular Soulside returning to entertain with their 10-piece band.
The Dress Code is ‘Black tie/Dress to impress’.
Venue: Pavilion Ocean Room
21 October 2017
Tasty Tales on the Trails
We are really excited to welcome Martin back to Kingcombe for this truly unique evening. You will head out onto the magical Kingcombe Meadows Nature Reserve for a gentle stroll accompanied by Martin, who will weave spellbinding stories into the walk.
After your stroll you will head back to the beautiful converted barn of the Kingcombe Centre to sit down to a long table supper of freshly prepared, locally-sourced food interspersed with fabulous folktales. The menu of stories gently ...
21 October 2017
Wimborne Minster Food & DrinkFestival
Take a unique town and combine it with local food and drink producers and hands-on cookery demonstrations by passionate local chefs, and what do you have? Wimborne Minster Food & Drink Festival, of course!
We are bringing together Dorset Food & Drink along with Dorset Farmers Market for a third year to promote and celebrate great local tastes with an emphasis on locally sourced sustainable produce.
Stalls and activities for all the family including a children’s competition and ...
21 Oct 2017 to 22 Oct 2017
Autumn Colours Weekend
Reduced price entry to the gardens. Explore acres of impressive gardens beside the lake and witness the spectacular autumn colours all around you. The tea rooms are open for drinks and a light lunch or cream tea and our gift shop is open for a souvenir of your visit.
(A Castle upgrade is available on the day for £4 per person. Children under 16 free.)
Time:
Gardens from 10am, Tearoom from 10.30am and Castle & Gift Shop from 11am with last admissions at 4.30pm. Closes 5pm.
19 Oct 2017 to 22 Oct 2017
Beer & Cider Festival
18 Oct 2017 to 22 Oct 2017
Dorchester Literary Festival
Dorchester and the unspoiled countryside and dramatic coastal scenery have inspired many of Britain’s best-loved writers, including Thomas Hardy and our patron Tracy Chevalier.
We are working on an exciting programme to fill the five days of the festival with a dozen events confirmed already. Headliners include our patron, Tracy Chevalier, the eminent biographer A N Wilson, the incredible Holocaust survivor Iby Knill, comedian Christopher Biggins, foreign correspondent Fergal Keane, ...
22 October 2017
Lions Beach Motocross - Weymouth Beach
This exciting national motocross event attracts over 250 top male and female riders from all over the country. Free to spectators - this event regularly draws in the crowds to enjoy the thrills and spills of high quality and enthusiastic riders. The sands of Weymouth are dramatically transformed into a 1-mile course of bomb holes, dare-devil jumps and sharp chicanes.
24 October 2017
Family Explorers
23 Oct 2017 to 27 Oct 2017
Halloween Spooktacular at Farmer Palmers
27 October 2017
Weldmar Dance with the Silhouettes
28 October 2017
Adult Halloween Party
28 October 2017
An Evening with Andy McNab
28 October 2017
Fireworks Spectacular
One of the largest firework displays in the south, choreographed to music with a range of entertainment for the whole family.
Arrive early and enjoy the attractions of Beaulieu before fireworks and live entertainment. For a great value extra charge enjoy old-time fairground entertainments, including a big wheel, gallopers and a coconut shy.
21 Oct 2017 to 28 Oct 2017
Fossil Hunting Walks at Charmouth Coast Centre
Join one of our guided Fossil Walks with the Wardens to find and take home your own Jurassic fossil!
This two hour session starts up at the Centre with a 20 minute talk from the Centre Warden about the fossils of Charmouth and how to find fossils on the beach. The group then heads out onto the beach with the wardens and spend the rest of the session looking for fossils.
The Centre has a high ratio of Wardens to members of the public on every walk. During school holidays booking is ...
28 October 2017
Fungi Foray at Kingcombe Meadows
Learn about the amazing array of fungi amongst the ancient pastures of Kingcombe Meadows with expert forager John Wright.
The day consists of a brief introduction to the fungal world and answers the questions: What are mushrooms and toadstools? How do they fit in to the natural world? How on earth do you tell one from another? You will then head out on a guided walk where all the fungi found will be discussed and where possible (it isn't easy for anyone!), identified. A delicious packed ...
28 October 2017
Kids Halloween Party
28 October 2017
Masquerade Ball
Dorset Blind Association's most prestigious and high-end event will be returning again for its third year! We are extremely excited to invite you to our annual Masquerade Ball that will take place on Saturday 28th October at the new venue of The Hilton Hotel, Bournemouth.
Join our team at this fantastic event and help us celebrate in style. Enjoy the glitz and glamour and the opportunity to wear your poshest frocks! Dress code is black tie and mask. Dance the night away to the ever ...
28 October 2017
Musical: The Wizard of Oz
Developed from the much-loved L. Frank Baum story - this fast-paced, colourful musical - which has recently returned from a sell-out international tour, features all the favourite characters and iconic moments, plus an exciting mix of familiar songs and original compositions.
So click your heels together and join Scarecrow, Tin Man, Lion, Dorothy and her little dog Toto, as they journey through the magical land of Oz to meet the Wizard and obtain their hearts’ desires. Watch out for the ...
26 Oct 2017 to 28 Oct 2017
New Hardy Players: The Withered Arm
28 October 2017
Oxjam Music Festival
27 Oct 2017 to 28 Oct 2017
Poole Beer Festival
21 Oct 2017 to 29 Oct 2017
Halloween Half-term at Beaulieu
Discover the fantasy and folklore of Halloween at Beaulieu this October half-term!
See harvest festival-themed decorations in Palace House and take part in activities and traditional fun for all the family celebrating the magic of autumn.
Search for the spiders that are hiding across the attraction, from the National Motor Museum to Beaulieu Abbey and Palace House – can you spot where these eight-legged critters have gone?
Follow the All Hallows trail to discover fascinating ...
29 October 2017
Highcliffe Halloween Extravaganza
Come and explore the castle for our Halloween extravaganza on 29th October. Ghoulish skittles and ghostly tin can alley will be just some of the games as you make your way through the rooms to meet our real life owls. A craft activity awaits at the end of your journey.
Tickets are available for half hourly arrival slots starting at 2pm and finishing at 7pm (allow approximately 1 hour for your experience)
14 Oct 2017 to 29 Oct 2017
New Forest Walking Festival
Led by the New Forest National Park Authority and partner organisations, the Walking Festival includes Wildlife Walks, History Hikes, Food Trails, Accessible Walks, Family Strolls and Activity Walks.
Most of the guided walks are accessible by public transport, and all walks are free or discounted if you arrive by bus, train, bike or on foot. Free minibuses will be provided for some walks which have no public transport links.
Check out the website for more details.
13 Oct 2017 to 29 Oct 2017
Purbeck Film Festival
The Purbeck Film Festival is the longest running rural film festival in the UK and is this year celebrating its 21st year.
Our theme this year, not surprisingly, is celebration. Certainly we will celebrate the festival with an evening at the Rex with 'The English Patient', first shown 20 years ago but there will be other celebrations: the film director, the film actor (Purbeck's Googie Withers), the cinematographer (Douglas Slocombe), the courage of women and men, 40 years of punk music ...
30 October 2017
Jazz & Swing Farewell
03 November 2017
Paranormal Investigations
Join the Hampshire Ghost Club as they embark on a paranormal investigation at the historic 13th century Beaulieu Abbey, the site of many spooky spectre sightings.
The strange stories and legends surrounding Beaulieu Abbey have captivated generations of visitors and to this day, sightings of the supernatural are regularly reported.
04 November 2017
Black Tie & Masquerade Ball
A Black Tie and Masquerade Ball to raise money for ‘Scotty's Little Soldiers’, a charity that is dedicated to supporting children who have lost a parent serving in the British Armed Forces.
Join us at Weymouth Pavilion for a brilliant evening of fun and entertainment, whilst raising money for a fantastic cause, in memory of Royal Marine James Wright.
Tickets are £45 per head, and this includes a welcome drink, 3-course meal, entertainment, live music and games!
This promises to be a ...
04 November 2017
Bridport Fireworks Display
04 November 2017
Firework Extravaganza
05 November 2017
Fireworks on Poole Quay
05 November 2017
Ten Hour Dance-a-thon
You know what it’s like, your favourite tune is played and all of a sudden we become John Travolta (or Ed Balls!).
Join in with this 10-hour dance-a-thon on 5th November 2017 from 9am until 7pm (registration from 8am) at Redlands Community Sports Hub in Weymouth from 9am – 7pm.
Part of Matt’s Colossal 10, you will be joining a whole team of other Weldmar supporters as you continue to show off your moves for a full ten hours. Of course, short breaks will be allowed for going to the ...
10 November 2017
Rockin' for Ralphie
To raise vital funds, the family and friends of Ralphie Ellard are hosting a “Rockin for Ralphie” music festival on Friday 10th November 2017 at the Ocean Room in Weymouth Pavilion. Tickets are priced at £12 and are available from the Weymouth Pavilion box office.
Ralphie was born two years ago with severe cerebral palsy and this affects his speech, muscle reactions, ability to walk and his ability to eat normally.
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Latest Dorset Features
The latest Dorset articles from Resort Dorset are previewed below.
11 Sep 2017
Christchurch is an ideal location for a day visit, a short break or for a longer holiday to discover the hidden delights of rural Dorset and the nearby New Forest.
The magnificent Priory Church has the most beautiful architecture and is renowned for its ‘miraculous beam’ which has an amazing story that is explained within the Priory. It also explains how Christchurch was renamed from its original Twynham.
In the older part of the town, known as the Priory Quarter, ... Read more...
16 Aug 2017
Weymouth has many great places to eat out, with a wide variety of cuisine on offer. Whether you enjoy seafood and shellfish, or prefer a vegetarian option, you're guaranteed to find what you're looking for in Weymouth.
We've compiled a list of some of the very best pubs and restaurants in the area to keep you and your family happy during your stay.
Read more...
16 Aug 2017
The Dorchester Agricultural Society have begun the countdown to the Dorset County Show, taking place on Saturday September 2 and Sunday September 3.
With just three weeks left to go, excitement is mounting for the variety of family entertainment and attractions this year, as well as spectacular shows, stunts, and some of the best livestock from around the UK.
Helping draw an expected 60,000 visitors to the two day agricultural extravaganza held at the Dorchester Showground will be ... Read more...
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