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Events and what's on in Dorset
There's never a dull moment here! With a huge choice of events in Dorset taking place throughout the year, you'll be entertained no matter when you visit.
You'll find tasty food festivals like the award-winning SEAFEAST - The Dorset Seafood Festival, red arrows and other spectacular flying displays at the Bournemouth Air Festival, fireworks aplenty, the world-famous Great Dorset Steam Fair, music festivals such as the Wessex Folk Festival, some fantastic theatre productions, comedy shows and of course some slightly quirkier events to enjoy (Bridport Hat Festival we're looking at you!)
Dorset County Show and Melplash Show are just two of many events giving you the chance to discover rural life in Dorset.
Whatever your interests, you'll find details of what's on in Dorset on this page. Use the tabs to browse events today, this weekend, this week or next week - or just use the calendar to find out what's on when you're visiting.
Have an eventful visit!
View Dorset Events by Date:
The next 38 events in Dorset appear below.
11 December 2021
Bye Bye Blues Band – Farewell Tour
Wimborne, Dorset
Back in the late 70s when Disco had superseded Blues and R&B, a quintet of skilled and successful blues musicians, Paul Jones, Tom McGuinness, Hughie Flint, (replaced by Rob Townsend) Dave Kelly and Gary Fletcher were determined to keep the Chicago and Mississippi sound alive and kicking. No strangers to chart success, they gathered in a London pub simply to re-kindle the flame. Four decades, over 4,000 gigs, 30 albums and a string of singles later, they are taking to the road one last time ...
08 Dec 2021 to 11 Dec 2021
Very Merry Musicals
Weymouth, Dorset
Join us for an evening of ‘Very Merry Musicals’
Wednesday 8th Dec - Saturday 11th Dec
7.30pm start (2.30pm matinee on Saturday)
A Christmas celebration of favourite musical songs for all the family. From the ever popular Disney numbers, to old musical favourites! With Christmas songs and traditional carols! For 'punch, pizzaz, yahoo and how', there is something for everyone; nostalgia and contemporary, side by side!
Sit back, relax (with some mulled wine!) and let us entertain you ...
10 Dec 2021 to 12 Dec 2021
Artisan Collective Fair
Beaulieu,
New Forest, Dorset
Tickets are on sale for the new Artisan Collective Fair taking place at Beaulieu between 10 - 12 December 2021 for the first time ever.
Join us this December for a festive gift and artisan food wonderland, full of gifts to fill those Christmas stockings and delicious food and drink producers to discover.
Find everything from delicious artisan food and drink to seasonal gifts, plus gourmet street food and live music, all set in the heart of the Beaulieu visitor attraction.
12 December 2021
Dorchester Christmas Cracker
Dorchester, Dorset
Join us on Sunday 12 December, we intend to make this an all-day festive shopping event with more stalls and entertainment for the whole family.
We are closing High West/East Street to create a safe area for vendors to have stalls and will hold the craft fair in the Corn Exchange.
Time: 11am to 4pm.
11 Dec 2021 to 12 Dec 2021
Poole's Choirs at Christmas
Poole, Dorset
Each weekend during the festive season the streets of Poole will come to life with wonderful music thanks to the talent of 6 local choirs and special guests.
Saturday 11th December
Outside Poole Museum
11am Wavelength A Capella
12pm Citrus Singers.
Sunday 12th December
Outside Café Nero
(centre of Poole High Street)
11am Bournemouth Concert Brass
12pm The Chicken Soup Choir.
11 Dec 2021 to 12 Dec 2021
Shire Hall Christmas Market
Shire Hall Historic Courthouse Museum,
Dorchester, Dorset
Join us at Shire Hall for our Christmas Market!
Free to enter, the market will host over 30 businesses, selling everything from food and drink to jewellery and photography.
The museum at Shire Hall will not be open for visitors over the market weekend, however, people will still have the chance to look around this Grade I listed building. Market stalls will be spread across Shire Hall, from the café and exhibition rooms to the historic courthouse and cells.
16 December 2021
Mellstock Band Christmas Frolics
Shire Hall Historic Courthouse Museum,
Dorchester, Dorset
THE MELLSTOCK BAND invite you to join them in an uproarious celebration of dance, drink and general misbehavior as carried on at Christmas in many villages until about a hundred years ago – along with sobering admonitions from puritans, parsons and angels.
Alongside the revelry are convivial harmony songs, rousing dance music, Thomas Hardy’s poetry set to local tunes, carols dedicated to bell-ringing and cider, glees from the singing-masters, and the Devil’s own tunes.
Venue: Shire ...
15 Dec 2021 to 16 Dec 2021
Swing Unlimited Big Band
Highcliffe Castle,
Christchurch, Dorset
The annual festive musical spectacular returns to Highcliffe Castle.
Join Swing Unlimited Big Band once again in our majestic Great Hall at Highcliffe Castle for an evening full to the brim with Christmas classics both old and new.
Please book tickets via the website below.
19 December 2021
Chase the Pudding - Santa Fun Run
Weymouth, Dorset
Santa’s, Elves, Pantomime Dames and many other fabulous festive characters will gather on Weymouth Beach (Pavilion end) to take part in the annual Chase the Pudding race on Sunday 19th December.
Registration is from 9.30am in the Weymouth Pavilion Ocean Room followed by a warm up at 10.45am on Weymouth Beach, with the race commencing at 11am.
Everybody is invited to come along to cheer and support this colourful Christmas event on Weymouth seafront.
Following the introduction in ...
18 Dec 2021 to 19 Dec 2021
Poole's Choirs at Christmas
Poole, Dorset
Each weekend during the festive season the streets of Poole will come to life with wonderful music thanks to the talent of 6 local choirs and special guests.
Saturday 18th December
Falkland Square
11am The 6 O’clock Choir
12pm Unite Stage Academy UK.
Sunday 19th December
Outside Poole Museum
11am til 1pm
Bournemouth Concert Brass.
19 December 2021
Shaftesbury Christmas Fair
Shaftesbury, Dorset
Join us from 10am to 4pm for the famous Shaftesbury Christmas Fair, celebrating all that is best about Christmas on the highest point of Dorset.
19 December 2021
That'll Be The Day - Christmas Show
Bournemouth, Dorset
That’ll Be The Day’s Rock & Roll Christmas show has been running for over thirty years and has grown into the most popular touring production in the U.K.
Refreshed every year, the show combines the best pop Christmas classics and traditional Christmas songs with hilarious comedy routines. For many, the That’ll Be The Day Christmas Special is the essential start to their festive season.
The audience is taken on a rollercoaster sleigh ride through the ‘golden’ age of Rock & Roll and Pop ...
20 December 2021
A Christmas Celebration
Poole, Dorset
Please join us for our Christmas concert on 20th December, featuring some of the most senior young musicians in Poole Society for young Musicians.
This will be Broadstone Music Series' 11th annual Christmas concert and we are grateful to the beautiful and majestic St Peters Church in Parkstone for hosting this so that we are able to spread out safely.
Since our Christmas video last year we felt that young musicians have worked so hard but without much public recognition with so few ...
11 Dec 2021 to 23 Dec 2021
Christmas at Farmer Palmer's
Wareham, Dorset
Christmas at Farmer Palmers is a magical experience for so many reasons. So we are going to do more... All children wanting to meet 'Farmer Christmas' will need a ticket to enter the enchanted barn. Tickets will be available as an 'add-on' item when you book/reserve your admission tickets. Tickets Now Available.
Christmas Opening Hours:
Sat 11th - Sun 12th: 9.30am-3.30pm
Mon 13th - Fri 17th: 9.30am-2.30pm
Sat 18th - Sun 19th: 9.30am-3.30pm
Mon 20th - Thur 23rd: ...
26 Nov 2021 to 23 Dec 2021
Illuminate at Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens
Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens,
Abbotsbury, Dorset
We are delighted to announce the return of ILLUMINATE. ‘OT Event Technicians’ will be Illuminating the Gardens in the lead up to Christmas this year.
The event will run daily 4.30pm to 8.00pm from the 26th of November to the 23rd December, with last entries between 7.00pm and 7.15pm.
Tickets £9.50 per adult and £7.50 per child (children under 5 years go free). Online booking essential.
Please note that we are unable to offer Season Ticket / Historic Houses / Military / RHS holders’ ...
27 Nov 2021 to 23 Dec 2021
The Santa Show at Adventure Wonderland
Adventure Wonderland,
Christchurch, Dorset
The Santa Show guests will enjoy an all-singing, all-dancing stage show featuring Father Christmas and some of his trusted elves! This enchanting blend of grotto and Panto includes a souvenir gift for every child.
Dates:
27th & 28th Nov.
4th, 5th, 11th,12th and 18th to 23rd December. Please book below.
18 Dec 2021 to 24 Dec 2021
Christmas Spectacular 2021
Christchurch, Dorset
The Glad Rag Production Company is delighted to bring the Christmas Spectacular back to the Regent Centre stage!
This year’s story follows Santa and his elves as they realise that Christmas Spirit is too low to fly the sleigh. The team take a trip to Christchurch to spread Christmas cheer but a mix up means that some of the towns biggest Scrooges end up in Christmastown! Will the elves be able to turn their frowns upside down and raise enough festive spirit before the big day?
With a ...
24 December 2021
Poole's Choirs at Christmas
Poole, Dorset
Each weekend during the festive season the streets of Poole will come to life with wonderful music thanks to the talent of 6 local choirs and special guests.
Friday 24th December
Outside Bonmarché
(centre of Poole High Street)
11am til 1pm
Christmas favourites by Gary Toon.
09 Dec 2021 to 31 Dec 2021
Pantomime: Beauty & The Beast
Poole, Dorset
Ooh la la! The stage is set for magic, mayhem and brilliantly beastly fun as this famous fairy tale is brought to life.
The first Lighthouse panto produced entirely in-house features an amazing cast headed by long-time Lighthouse friend Chris Jarvis and Michelle Collins, star of EastEnders, Coronation Street and Two Thousand Acres of Sky.
When the beautiful Belle bumps into the handsome Prince Valentin – with a little help from Cupid of course - love is definitely in the air. That is ...
27 Nov 2021 to 31 Dec 2021
Swanage Railway - Enchanted Lights and Steam
Swanage Railway,
Swanage, Dorset
Make wonderful and magical memories in the run-up to Christmas thanks to our festive, evocative, dramatic and colourful Steam and Lights train journey through the Isle of Purbeck countryside.
A new not to be missed pre-booked steam train experience, the steam locomotive and carriages will be covered with brightly coloured lights while the cosy steam-heated carriage interiors will be festively decorated for the one-hour evening round trip passing the historic ruins of Corfe Castle.
A ...
01 January 2022
New Year’s Day Johann Strauss Gala
Poole, Dorset
The Magic of Vienna.
Celebrate the New Year with an uplifting concert of marvellous music by the King of Waltz, Johann Strauss and his contemporaries! The full symphonic forces of the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra will bring you an afternoon of swirling melodies to carry you away into the glamour and sparkle of Viennese Dance Halls under the baton of conductor Michael Seal, joined by soprano Elizabeth Watts. Enjoy a host of waltzes, marches, galops and polkas including the Fledermaus ...
27 Nov 2021 to 02 Jan 2022
Artisans on the Beach
Swanage, Dorset
Set on Swanage seafront over the weekends during the Christmas season, the beach-huts are taken over by local crafters and tradespeople all looking to sell the ideal creative gifts for you and your loved ones.
From collages, photography and paintings, to vintage and retro cushions, coasters and felt goods, there's no shortage of items on offer. So come on down and see what you can find, located within the beach-huts on Swanage Shore Road beside the Tourist Information Centre right up to ...
19 Nov 2021 to 02 Jan 2022
Bournemouth Christmas Tree Wonderland
Bournemouth, Dorset
Bournemouth is set to be lit up by more than 100 festive-themed illuminations this winter. The Christmas Tree Wonderland includes a 60ft feature tree with a trail taking visitors across the town. Lighting features include the 10m Changing Tree of Light, a cascading waterfall, giant reindeer, gingerbread people, polar bears, a giant bauble and trees representing cities from around the world.
Visitors are led from the Lansdowne precinct to the Triangle, and at the centre is an open-air ...
18 Dec 2021 to 02 Jan 2022
Festive Fun at Beaulieu
Beaulieu,
New Forest, Dorset
Get ready to enjoy a festive feast of family entertainment this Christmas, together.
Visit us from 18 December - 2 January* to celebrate the festive season in style as Beaulieu comes to life with Christmas joy and spirit.
Ignite your Christmas spark in Palace House, with its stunning decorations, welcoming log fires, and a Christmas tree in each room. See Beaulieu spruced in seasonal decorations, and complete a family fun trail that will take you on an adventure across the ...
11 Dec 2021 to 02 Jan 2022
Pantomime : Aladdin
Weymouth Pavilion,
Weymouth, Dorset
It’s the pantomime adventure you’ve been wishing for – Made to Measure Productions are delighted to be returning to the Weymouth Pavilion for their 6th Christmas season with a brand new production of ALADDIN!
Join us on the flying carpet ride of a lifetime as we soar through the clouds to Old Peking this Christmas.
Follow the adventures of our hero, Aladdin, as he makes his way to the Cave of Wonders and discovers the magic that lies within! Featuring stunning scenery, colourful ...
04 Dec 2021 to 02 Jan 2022
Pantomime: Peter Pan
Bournemouth, Dorset
UK Productions alongside BH Live are proud to present the swashbuckling adventure Peter Pan – The return of Captain Hook.
Meet Peter Pan, Tinker Bell, and Mermaid and set sail for a family show full of fun and laughter as he seeks to thwart the dastardly Captain Hook.
Hook, aided by his band of comically inept and acrobatic pirates is seeking revenge because Peter forced him to walk his own plank.
Prepare for out-of-this-world flying effects, galleons of laughter and the hungriest ...
11 Dec 2021 to 03 Jan 2022
Pantomime: Aladdin
Weymouth, Dorset
It’s the pantomime adventure you’ve been wishing for – Made to Measure Productions are delighted to be returning to the Weymouth Pavilion for their 6th Christmas season with a brand new production of ALADDIN!
Join us on the flying carpet ride of a lifetime as we soar through the clouds to Old Peking this Christmas.
Follow the adventures of our hero, Aladdin, as he makes his way to the Cave of Wonders and discovers the magic that lies within! Featuring stunning scenery, colourful ...
17 Dec 2021 to 03 Jan 2022
Pantomime: Sleeping Beauty
Wimborne, Dorset
Made-to-Measure Productions are delighted be returning to Wimborne this Christmas with a brand new enchanting family pantomime, Sleeping Beauty!
On the day of Princess Briar Rose’s christening, the evil Carabosse bestows an evil curse upon the baby girl, foretelling that before the Princess’ 18th Birthday, she will prick her finger on a spinning wheel and die! Only the fabulous Fairy Snowflake can help out the Princess and try to rewrite her fate!
Sleeping Beauty is set to be the most ...
18 Dec 2021 to 03 Jan 2022
Rudolph's Reindeer Roundup
Swanage, Dorset
Enjoy the great outdoors at Durlston Country Park.
Santa's cheeky reindeer are hiding around the park! Can you help find them all? You might just win a prize!
From 10am to 3pm £3.
18 Nov 2021 to 03 Jan 2022
Skate Bournemouth
Bournemouth, Dorset
We are excited to be back, bringing our huge real ice rink and Moguls Alpine Bar to Bournemouth.
Whether you're a Dancing on Ice champion, a total newbie or just about anything in between, you can be sure to find some festive euphoria on the surface of our real, genuine ice. The rink is held within the canopies of Bournemouth's Lower Gardens, which have been magically brought to life for the Christmas season.
Pre-booking is essential this year as we are trying to eliminate queues and ...
06 Jan 2022 to 07 Jan 2022
Giselle
Poole, Dorset
Having wowed audiences across the UK since 2016, Saint Petersburg Classic Ballet returns to Lighthouse this new year with two spectacular productions: Adolphe Adams’ heart-breaking Giselle, and Tchaikovsky’s perennial favourite, The Nutcracker.
Under the expert direction of Marina Medvetskaya, this acclaimed company combines classical training and technique with outstanding soloists to entertain audiences in breath-taking style. A full orchestra complements the purity of the dancing and ...
08 January 2022
New Year Johann Strauss Gala
Weymouth, Dorset
The Magic of Vienna.
Celebrate the New Year with an uplifting concert featuring the music of the King of Waltz, Johann Strauss and his contemporaries! The full symphonic forces of the BSO will bring you an evening of swirling melodies to carry you away into the glamour and sparkle of Viennese Dance Halls. Enjoy a host of waltzes, marches, galops and polkas including the Fledermaus Overture, Tritsch-Tratsch Polka, Emperor Waltz and, of course, The Blue Danube!
Venue: Weymouth Pavilion
08 Jan 2022 to 09 Jan 2022
The Nutcracker
Poole, Dorset
Having wowed audiences across the UK since 2016, Saint Petersburg Classic Ballet returns to Lighthouse this new year with two spectacular productions: Adolphe Adams’ heart-breaking Giselle, and Tchaikovsky’s perennial favourite, The Nutcracker.
Under the expert direction of Marina Medvetskaya, this acclaimed company combines classical training and technique with outstanding soloists to entertain audiences in breath-taking style. A full orchestra complements the purity of the dancing and ...
16 January 2022
Weymouth Pavilion Wedding Fair
Weymouth Pavilion,
Weymouth, Dorset
The Wedding Fair is the essential day out for those planning their special day. You will have the opportunity to discuss your requirements with an array of quality suppliers exhibiting on the day. There will be a Wedding Catwalk at 1.30pm (sponsored by Pengillys Solicitors) followed by our prize draw. In partnership with Perfect Day Wedding Services, you
could be in for the chance of winning the ultimate styling package worth £775.00 and a £200 Weymouth Pavilion wedding voucher. Our second ...
29 January 2022
Mosaic Workshop
Museum of East Dorset,
Wimborne, Dorset
In this workshop at the Museum of East Dorset you will learn about the various mosaic materials and techniques of cutting and laying tesserae.
You will make a 25cmsq panel on board with a choice of vitreous glass and matt porcelain mosaic tile.
You may bring a simple design which Joanna will help you adapt for mosaic, or use one of Joanna’s many tried and tested template design. Grouting will be demonstrated but you will need to complete this at home – grout and full instructions ...
27 Jan 2022 to 30 Jan 2022
Pantomime: Sleeping Beauty
Christchurch, Dorset
Sleeping Beauty - The one-act pantomime of your dreams
Princess Aurora’s christening is the perfect day until the wicked fairy Carabosse arrives uninvited. In revenge she casts a spell that the Princess will prick her finger on a spinning wheel and die by her 21st birthday. Though unable to break this evil magic, the Fairy Queen sends the Princess to sleep for 100 years. Can an heroic Prince save the day? Perhaps a true love's kiss is the answer?
It’s over a decade since the award ...
25 Aug 2022 to 29 Aug 2022
Great Dorset Steam Fair
Blandford, Dorset
From small beginnings this annual event has become one of the favoured places for those interested in how people lived, worked and played in bygone years and it is now justifiably recognised as “The National Heritage Show” as well as being regarded as the leading show of its type in the world.
The spectacle covers an enormous showground, at over 600 acres being one of Europe’s largest outdoor event locations. 2022 will see the show celebrate its 52nd year.
If it's heritage related, ...
10 Sep 2022 to 11 Sep 2022
SEAFEAST - The Dorset Seafood Festival
Weymouth, Dorset
A visit to SEAFEAST - the award-winning Dorset Seafood Festival - offers an amazing opportunity to gain a better understanding of the superb seafood available to us just off our wonderful shores.
For 2022, the event continues at the Weymouth Peninsula, taking place on 10th and 11th September. Offering delicious seafood, quality wines and local ales, as well as family entertainment, here’s a snapshot of what to expect:
- Taste fresh seafood dishes from a great selection of stalls, or ...
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The latest Dorset articles from Resort Dorset are previewed below.
6 Dec 2021
‘Tis the season to be jolly, and you will be when you discover the fantastic selection of Christmas markets and festive fairs that are set to be held around Dorset in the coming weeks.
If you’re getting organised with your shopping, these events are a great way to find those perfect gifts; if delicious food and drink is on your wish list, then you’ll love the tasty selection available from local producers; or maybe you’d like a day out to get you in the ... Read more...
3 Nov 2021
Celebrate with a bang this weekend as Dorset plays host to a wide range of firework displays and bonfire events. A selection of fireworks / bonfire events can be found below:
Read more...
7 Oct 2021
The October half-term is now synonymous with Halloween and the themed fun that takes place. If you’re out and about in Dorset, you’ll find many a Halloween event happening, so grab your broomsticks, sharpen those fangs, and prepare to have one hell of a good time!
It's scary how much there is to choose from...
Halloween Events
Read more...
13 Jul 2021
Get off the beaten track in Dorset, and explore some of these hidden locations. Dorset is well-known for some spectacular places to visit, but there’s much more just waiting to be discovered. Some of these are more secret than others, but most are free and well worth adding to any itinerary – there are lots of great hidden things to do here, especially if you’re looking to escape!
1. Chapman’s Pool
A pretty little hidden cove nestled in the Isle of ... Read more...
18 Feb 2021
We’ve all had better years. If you’re looking for a much-needed break, look no further - here are 10 good reasons you can’t go wrong with a Dorset staycation in 2021.
Dorset has lots of outside space. Whether on the coast or out in the country, there’s room to spread out and enjoy the great outdoors.
Accommodation – there’s plenty of choice, and accommodation providers, from campsites and B&Bs to luxury cottages and hideaways, ... Read more...
More articles available in the features section.
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