Top events, attractions and family fun across the county

May Bank Holiday Weekend – Things to Do in Dorset!

If you're lucky enough to have the Bank Holiday weekend off, and luckier still to be in Dorset – or Dorset bound – then you're in for a treat. Here's our pick of the best events and experiences to make the most of it!

1 – Coastal Vibes Cruises, Weymouth Harbour The brilliant crew at Coastal Vibes have gone all out this weekend with themed cruises to choose from. Pick your vibe: a Sunset BBQ Cruise; Breakfast on the Bay; the wonderfully tongue-twisting Sunset Sax Sundays; or round off the long weekend with a Sunset Fish & Chips Cruise on Monday. We enjoyed the first Sax Sunday session earlier in the month – the perfect way to ease into an evening, knowing Monday's a lie-in! 

2 – Pirate Family Fun at the Nothe Fort, Weymouth The Nothe Fort never lets a Bank Holiday pass quietly. This weekend and all of half-term there is Pirate themed fun with treasure hunts, dressing up, pirate games and more. Best of all, your ticket is valid for 12 months, so you can keep going back at no extra cost!

3 – Bear Weekend at Wimborne Model Town Tackle the fun quiz and then get stuck into some amazing bear arts & crafts! Win prizes in the bear raffle and try your luck in the traditional tombola. All whilst enjoying the brilliant Wimborne Model Town.

4 – Farmer Palmer's Farm Park, Poole Perfect for little ones, Farmer Palmer's is bursting with hands-on fun this weekend: meet and hold a guinea pig, bottle-feed the kid goats, groom a pony, watch cow milking demos, zoom around on go-karts, and even spot some dinosaurs! As well as that for the weekend they also have return of their Wet the Western Tractor Trailer ride and the fun Foam Parties! An absolute gem for families with children aged 0–8.

5 – Live Music at Chesil Beach Café, Sat 23rd May Get ready for a night of singing and stomping by the sea! As Chesil Beach Cafe welcome back with huge excitement, the fellas of Loose Rock for an epic Bank Holiday shin dig! With chef Tim serving up surf & turf with a vegan option too. A 4 piece band formed of 2 electric guitars, bass and drums playing Indie, Rock and Pop, covering hits over the last 4 decades! Loose Rock will be playing two sets from 7pm. So take your air guitars, best dancing shoes and rock out your Quo moves! Chef Tim will be cooking some shrimps and flipping juicy burgers. A winning combo, oh yeah! A vegan burger and sides will also available - Booking recommended! 

6 – K-Pop Forever at Weymouth Pavilion LIVE on stage, Sat 23rd May! Immerse yourself in the worldwide phenomenon that is K-Pop with this all-action tribute concert. Featuring all-live performances of smash-hits including: Blackpink, BTS, Twice, Soda Pop, Golden and many more, this is the ultimate non-stop party, little ones will love this! 

7 – Splashdown Waterpark, Poole The South's favourite waterpark is open and ready for thrills! With a fantastic selection of flumes and rides, Splashdown is a firm favourite with locals and visitors alike – and the number one Dorset pick for our teenage son!

8 – Abbotsbury Swannery Food & Craft Fair Tickle your taste buds at the Dorset Food and Drink curated food & craft stalls at Abbotsbury Swannery. Home to over 600 mute swans, the Swannery is magical at this time of year – the newly hatched cygnets are making their fluffy grey debut and they're adorable. Little ones (and nostalgic grown-ups!) will love the Brambly Hedge Children's Trail, and there's also a willow maze, go-karts, and the chance to help feed hundreds of swans. A truly special Dorset experience.

Charlie Wheeler Photography

9 – RIB Rides from West Bay & Lyme Regis Fancy your own adventure? RIB rides are now running between West Bay and Lyme Regis, offering a scenic blast along the Jurassic Coast. Hop off, explore, then make your way back via the Jurassic Coaster bus for a brilliant day out on the water and beyond.

10 – Resort Dorset – Your Local Guide For even more inspiration – from top attractions and events to foodie hot spots and hidden gems – grab a copy of Resort Dorset or read it online

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