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 13 events in Dorchester appear below.
14 May 2022 to 29 May 2022
Dorset Art Weeks
Dorchester, Dorset
Dorset Arts Weeks is one of the largest Open Studio events in the country. Throughout Dorset, it brings artists and visitors together in ways that are often remarkable and profoundly different from entering a public gallery. DAW is fundamentally as much about engagement between people as about people and art. At almost all venues the artists, designers or makers will be on-hand to help you engage with the work, keen to talk to you about the extraordinary range of materials, skills and ...
31 May 2022
Age UK: The Queen's Platinum Jubilee Tea
Dorchester, Dorset
Come and Join us at the Dorchester Cricket Pavilion on Tuesday 31st May between 1:30-3 to celebrate the Queen's Jubilee.
Activities include a raffle, melodies for memories, and of course - a delicious cream tea!
Tickets are only £5!
To book your place please call the team on 01305 269 444 or for more information email fundraising@ageuknswd.org.uk
02 June 2022
Jubilee Family Fun Day
Dorchester, Dorset
Join us in the Dorchester Borough Gardens for a Jubilee Celebration Party for all ages.
Free entertainment will include:
Punch & Judy
Face Painting
Durnovaria Silver Band
Bungee Run
Inflatable Challenge Game
Royal themed arts and crafts.
Royal Treasure Hunt with prizes.
The Kiosk in the Gardens will be open, selling ice-creams, hot and cold drinks and snacks.
There will be also be a cream tea stand with all profits going to charity.
30 May 2022 to 04 Jun 2022
May Half-Term: Shire Hall Detectives
Shire Hall Historic Courthouse Museum,
Dorchester, Dorset
There’s a mystery at Shire Hall Museum and we need your help to solve it!
Join us this May Half-Term for a week full of interactive family fun.
Become a Shire Hall detective- search the cells for clues, piece them together and solve the mystery!
As well as a new detective trail, families can enjoy free interactive crafts in the Museum. Plus, a children’s annual pass is just £1 this half-term!!
18 June 2022
D-Day Festival
Dorchester, Dorset
A community festival remembering Broadmayne and West Knighton’s roles as a camp for American troops prior to the Normandy Landings. Commemorating the courage and sacrifice of all Allied troops in WWII.
18th June 2022
11.30am to 11pm at Broadmayne, near Dorchester.
* Live music
* WWII armoured and wheeled
vehicles
* Living history stands and re-
enactors
* Historical talks
* Classic cars
* Artisan stalls
* Bar & food
* Kids’ games
FREE ENTRY
with fundraising for ...
25 June 2022
Outdoor Performance: Rapunzel's Musical
Athelhampton House & Gardens,
Dorchester, Dorset
Let your hair down and get tangled in a brand-new musical adaptation of the classic fairy tale!
Being held at Athelhampton, this fast-paced, larger-than-life production contains all the ingredients Immersion’s loyal audiences have come to love and expect, including a laugh out loud script, heaps of audience interaction, a host of catchy songs, unforgettable characters, and maybe even the odd water gun or two!
With magic and mayhem throughout, this is one hair-raising adventure the ...
26 June 2022
Dorset Youth Pride at Shire Hall
Shire Hall Historic Courthouse Museum,
Dorchester, Dorset
Join us at Shire Hall for an afternoon and evening of activities celebrating Dorset Youth Pride!
At Shire Hall, we believe that Pride is a celebration for everyone of all ages. Dorset Youth Pride is an inclusive event welcoming all members of the LGBT+ community, families, young people and allies.
Shire Hall Museum will be open for FREE* on Sunday 26th June, 12pm – 5pm. Visitors to Dorset Youth Pride will have the opportunity to take part in a range of inclusive activities whilst ...
24 Jun 2022 to 26 Jun 2022
Music by the Lake
Dorchester, Dorset
Choose from three incredible live music events for Weldmar Hospicecare's Music By The Lake 2022 at Dorset County Showground, with the UK's leading tributes to the Bee Gees, George Michael;, Tina Turner, Nile Rodgers, the Drifters, and Frankie Valli!
Music By The Lake is organised by Weldmar Hospicecare, with all proceeds from the event going to the charity to fund care for adults in Dorset living with a life limiting illness, as well as providing support for their family and loved ones.
15 Jul 2022 to 17 Jul 2022
Tolpuddle Martyrs Festival
Dorchester, Dorset
We have a great line-up of musicians and performers for this year's Festival. Some of them will be familiar faces and others will be new and exciting acts.
Venue: Tolpuddle, Dorset DT2 7EH. See the festival website for full details.
13 August 2022
Outdoor Theatre: Romeo & Juliet
Athelhampton House & Gardens,
Dorchester, Dorset
Chapterhouse Theatre Company are pleased to announce a wonderful new production of Romeo and Juliet as a part of their summer 2022 tours.
This best loved story of star crossed lovers and feuding families shall be performed in the gardens of some of the UK and Ireland’s most glorious country houses throughout the summer and promises to be one of the most sought after events of the open air season.
Dressed in beautiful Elizabethan costume and performed by a fine troupe of Shakespearean ...
25 August 2022
‘You the Jury Day’ with Diane Janes.
Shire Hall Historic Courthouse Museum,
Dorchester, Dorset
You the jury will consider the evidence, reach your own verdict, then decide whether or not justice was well served by the historical outcome. The cases have been selected with an eye to the insight they can give us on various aspects of our judicial system, or our social history.
No advance preparation is required, but you will find a pen, a notebook and an open mind invaluable.
Participants will be expected to listen to the evidence, making notes as they go, then discuss the case and ...
29 Apr 2022 to 02 Sep 2022
Agatha Christie Exhibition
Shire Hall Historic Courthouse Museum,
Dorchester, Dorset
Join us at Shire Hall for an exhibition examining the life and works of one of the country’s favourite crime writers, Agatha Christie.
From Hercule Poirot to Miss Marple, Agatha Christie’s characters and stories have captivated readers and audiences for over 100 years. This exhibition will give visitors further insight into Christie’s writing and personal life, from the inspiration behind her work to the infamous story of her disappearance.
Alongside the exhibition, Shire Hall will ...
03 Sep 2022 to 04 Sep 2022
Dorset County Show
Dorchester, Dorset
A celebration of all things Dorset and the countryside.
Dedicated to superb family entertainment, showcasing agriculture, great shopping and so much more!
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Shops & ServicesLatest Dorchester Features
The latest Dorchester articles from Resort Dorset are previewed below.
9 May 2022
Celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee with us here in Dorset. Dress for the occasion in red white and blue and join in the fun to be had at events right across the county (scroll down for events listings).
Little ones can dress up as princes and princesses and head for Farmer Palmer’s Farm Park where, as well as all the animals to see, there’ll be cream teas to enjoy – just be sure to pre-book!
Fancy a celebratory picnic lunch with sea views? Then ... Read more...
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...
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...
16 Nov 2020
Shop Dorset and it’s a win, win – not only will your gift please the recipient but by shopping locally online in these difficult times you’ll be helping our Dorset businesses.
Below are just a few ideas for Christmas gifts and goodies.
Cheesed off? – Well check out Delicious, the Weymouth deli that will deliver cheeses and wines to your Dorset door. Craig’s Dairy Farm Shop and Chalbury Food & Wine are open and well-stocked with tasty local ... Read more...
More articles available in the features section.
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