Events and what's on in Dorchester
The historical town of Dorchester has built a range of strong communities over the years, and is now home to many fun and interesting events. Shows, fairs, music festivals and historical events regularly occur in Dorchester.
Dorchester welcomes the ever-popular Dorset County Show on an annual basis, an event certainly worth going to.
For most Dorset towns and villages, Dorchester is relatively easy to get to, so take a look at the upcoming events below.
View Dorchester Events by Date:
The next 17 events in Dorchester appear below.
31 October 2019
Drinks in the Clink: Spells in the Cells
Dorchester, Dorset
This is a brilliant and unique night out for any school of wizardry fan….
The evening begins with a serving of Butterbeer, a truly tasty beverage straight from the books. From there, things get even boozier with just a swish and a flick. We invite you to try your hand at mixing potions, and yes, they are whipped up in a cauldron. Using a set of ingredients sourced from ancient magick textbooks, you’ll chop, grind, and mix up concoctions such as the Transfiguration Tonic, which you will ...
26 Oct 2019 to 03 Nov 2019
Halloween Half Term Fun at Shire Hall
Dorchester, Dorset
The witch is brewing a magic spell,
It’s Halloween night and monsters dwell,
Her pot is boiling and many spells she will weave,
To cast them on all the children on Halloween eve.
Shire Hall will be full of scarily fun activities this half term!
Throughout the half-term holidays, Shire Hall will become home to spooky family-friendly fun. We’ll have slippery slime-making workshops, witch’s potion trail, and gruesome touchy-feely guessing games. Come around our spooky underground cells ...
03 November 2019
The Monster and Mary Shelley (Occasion Theatre)
Dorchester, Dorset
1816 – the year without a summer.
On yet another sun-less day at their villa in Switzerland, Lord Byron challenges his guests Percy and Mary Shelley to ‘each write a ghost story’. Two days later Mary, 18 years old and having recently watched her premature baby die, has a ‘waking dream’ and begins to write a story that will haunt and define her for the rest of her life.
Over 200 years since the publication of ‘Frankenstein’, The Occasion is delighted to present a new production drawing ...
09 Nov 2019 to 10 Nov 2019
Christmas Craft & Food Fair
Dorchester, Dorset
Back for its 36th year, our Christmas Craft and Gourmet Food Fair continues to get bigger and better, attracting thousands of visitors over the weekend. Come and join in the fun this November 9th and 10th, it's a great day out for the whole family and the perfect place to start your Christmas Shopping.
Venue: Kingston Maurward House
See also the Canford Fair on 23rd & 24th November.
10 November 2019
The Wit and Songs of Noël Coward
Dorchester, Dorset
Pianist and entertainer Peter Gill presents a tribute to the wit and song-writing skill of that most English of Englishmen, Noel Coward, who said of himself "I am an enormously talented man and there is no point in denying it." Born in 1899, Coward was an actor, writer, composer, director, producer, and in later life painter– and he excelled at them all. Peter will remind us of his dazzling wit and perform such gems as Mad About The Boy, A Bar on The Piccola Marina, Don’t Let’s Be Beastly To ...
16 Nov 2019 to 17 Nov 2019
Macmillan Christmas Shopping Fair
Dorchester, Dorset
With 40 stalls offering a wide range of high-quality products, to suit most tastes and wallets, it’s an ideal opportunity to get your Christmas shopping done, under one roof.
All funds raised go directly to Macmillan Cancer Support.
Venue: Kingston Maurward College.
23 Nov 2019 to 24 Nov 2019
Dorset Food & Drink Christmas Fair
Dorchester, Dorset
Join us for our annual festive foodie event with over 50 amazing producers selling distinctively Dorset & seasonal produce set in the lovely grounds of Athelhampton House and Gardens.
10am – 4pm Saturday 23rd November & Sunday 24th November.
£3.50 per adult, children free and includes the Food Fair and entry to Gardens and House
Back again for 2019! SUNDAY ONLY – Meet Santa
Just to add to the festivities we’ll have plenty of local choirs and performers throughout the weekend, ...
28 November 2019
Poundbury Pop-up Christmas Fair
Dorchester, Dorset
A beautiful Pop Up Christmas Fair showcasing some of the best independent crafters and traders Dorset has to offer.
Being held at The Duchess of Cornwall Inn from 6pm to 10pm.
01 December 2019
Christmas at Hardy's Cottage
Dorchester, Dorset
This December, Hardy’s Cottage will be decked with natural decorations of evergreen collected from the cottage garden and surrounding woodlands. Come and warm your toes by the warmth of the fire and get into the festive spirit.
There will be delicious treats for you to sample, prepared by our volunteers using traditional recipes.
Time: 11am to 4pm
This event is free, but normal admission charges apply for the venue.
05 December 2019
Dorchester's Christmas Cracker
Dorchester, Dorset
The date has been set, Santa’s been told and we’re busy making sure the magic will happen again this year. We will be updating our website regularly with information and news as it becomes available so keep an eye out and don’t forget to find and Like us on Facebook.
We hope you will all join us for late night Xmas shopping, seasonal entertainment and other delights.
07 December 2019
Buttermarket Christmas Market, Poundbury
Dorchester, Dorset
Poundbury’s Christmas Market
Now in its 4th year we are delighted to tell you that this year the Christmas Market will be on Saturday 7th December.
It’s small business Saturday on 7th December so it’s the perfect time to come out and support your local community.
11 December 2019
Carols at Hardy's Cottage
Dorchester, Dorset
Visit nineteenth-century Dorset with traditional West Gallery Christmas carols in Hardy's Cottage. Members of the Ridgeway Singers will be returning to Hardy's Cottage to revive the old carols sung in Hardy's childhood, as immortalized in 'Under the Greenwood Tree.
Time: 1pm to 4pm.
This event is free, but normal admission charges apply for the venue.
14 December 2019
Christmas at Shire Hall
Shire Hall Historic Courthouse Museum,
Dorchester, Dorset
Come along to Shire Hall and immerse yourself in a Christmas extravaganza, with seasonal goodies in the café, festive music from the Crossways Handbell Ringers, Christmas craft workshops and glistening Christmas slime-making as well as a visit to Father Christmas in his grotto and the best selection of Christmas gifts in Dorchester!
Glittery Christmas Slime Making 10am-4pm, £2.00 per child*
*price covers cost of materials. Normal museum admission costs apply.
Father Christmas in his ...
15 December 2019
The Christmassy Christmas Show of Christmas
Dorchester, Dorset
Dorchester favourites Squashbox Theatre’s are back with their spectacular celebration of everything Christmassy, from fir trees, fairy lights, sleigh bells and snowflakes to crackers, carols, presents and puddings!
Meet a snowman who lives in the fridge, try and spot some naughty elves, play hunt the brussel sprout, endure the world’s worst Christmas jumper and gaze at the “beautiful” Christmas fairy…
Learn about Yuletide traditions old and new, hear the story of the first Christmas ...
18 December 2019
A Christmas Carol: In Concert
Dorchester, Dorset
A heart-warming retelling of Dickens’ classic tale uses an array of traditional and modern instruments and authentic musical arrangements. It brims with warmth, wit and wonder.
Modern-day balladeers GreenMatthews take the well-loved festive adventure back to its Victorian fireside roots, painting a vivid and evocative picture of Dickens’ world.
Chris Green (voice, guitar, mandocello, piano), Sophie Matthews (voice, flute, English border bagpipes) and special guest Jude Rees (voice, ...
18 December 2019
Carols at Hardy's Cottage
Dorchester, Dorset
Visit nineteenth-century Dorset with traditional West Gallery Christmas carols in Hardy's Cottage. Members of the Ridgeway Singers will be returning to Hardy's Cottage to revive the old carols sung in Hardy's childhood, as immortalized in 'Under the Greenwood Tree'.
Time: 1pm to 4pm.
This event is free, but normal admission charges apply for the venue.
22 December 2019
Producers' Market
Brewery Square,
Dorchester, Dorset
A NEW outdoor Producers Market, with the chance to taste and buy a variety of local food and drink. Held in the heart of Brewery Square, the buzzing atmosphere will be the perfect setting to discover what Dorset has to offer just in time for Christmas!
Attractions
Activities
Pubs & Restaurants
Holiday Parks
Shops & ServicesLatest Dorchester Features
The latest Dorchester articles from Resort Dorset are previewed below.
23 Sep 2019
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!
Dorset Halloween events include everything from zombie fests and enchanted illuminations, to pumpkin carving and the Sea Life Ascarium! It's scary how much there is to choose from...
Halloween ... Read more...
13 Sep 2019
As proud sponsors of the small visitor attraction of the year category, all at Resort Dorset would like to congratulate the businesses that have made it through to the finals of the Dorset Tourism Awards. Finalists for this category are:
Dorset Heavy Horse Farm Park, Verwood
Langham Wine Estate, Dorchester
Shire Hall Historic Courthouse and Museum, Dorchester
Shire Hall Historic Courthouse Museum
Shire Hall offers a historic, educational experience to ... Read more...
8 Aug 2019
Dorset is blessed with countless scenic locations to explore in the summer months, from Durdle Door to Portland Bill there are plenty of beauty spots and outdoor activities to enjoy. But what about those rainy days in Dorset when the number one priority is keeping dry?
We’ve compiled a list of fantastic Dorset attractions and activities to keep you and your family entertained when the rain takes hold.
Rainy Day Attractions & Activities in Dorset
What else ... Read more...
11 Jul 2019
Our village fairs pay homage to the rural culture that Dorset is built upon. It’s a way of celebrating Dorset that involves fun for everyone.
Dorset village fairs, fetes and festivals range from large to small, such as the Dorset County Show which has been running for more than 175 years and attracts over 60,000 visitors each year! Then, we have local fairs that celebrates life in the smaller villages such as the Milton Abbas Street Fayre which demonstrates the strength of our ... Read more...
21 Jun 2019
We're celebrating National Cream Tea Day on 28th June - are you?
Here in Dorset, looking for places to go for a cream tea (or afternoon tea) isn't exactly difficult. You're likely to be able to get a top-notch cream tea at just about any town or village you visit in our delightful county. So, to help you cream tea lovers celebrate on the 28th, we've compiled a list of just some of the many places you can enjoy a delicious cream tea. But obviously, a cream tea in ... Read more...