Shaftesbury Food & Drink Festival
A celebration of the best in local food and drink here in Shaftesbury with live entertainment and of course the utterly bonkers Cheese Races up the iconic Gold Hill!
FREE EVENT
📍All over Shaftesbury.
🕘 Sunday 5 May 2024.
ℹ️ For more information and tickets click here.
The Cheese & Chilli Festival – Christchurch
A family show with traders selling cheese and chilli products as well as craft and retail stands. There is a family area accommodating shows such as Wrestling, Punch and Judy, a Magician, Circus Skills, children’s fun rides and inflatables and more.
📍Next To Bournemouth Airport, BH23 6AD.
🕘 18 & 19 May 2024.
ℹ️ For more information and tickets click here.
Magic of Thailand Festival – Poole
Enjoy delicious Thai street food, browse arts and crafts, Thai dances, Muay Thai demonstrations, Thai beer, Thai massage and much more.
📍Baiter Park, Poole BH15 1UY.
🕘Saturday 18 & Sunday 19 May 2024.
ℹ️ For more information and tickets click here.
RNLI Poole Lifeboat Festival
Lifeboats from all over the world, and from throughout our 200 years of lifesaving history. Step on board, music and food, kids’ activities, high-octane demonstrations, in-depth discussions, and lots of fun.
Parade of Sail, at 4pm on Sunday. See the beautiful fleet of historic, international and modern lifeboats take to the waters of Poole Harbour – a majestic sight worth celebrating. There are also a couple of pre-bookable experiences.
Download the Festival map here.
FREE ENTRY but donations are hugely welcome!
📍Poole RNLI College BH15 1HZ.
🕘 Saturday 18 – Sunday 19 May 2024.
ℹ️ For more information and tickets click here.
BeCider Seaside 18 – Burton Bradstock
The little festival that packs a big punch – a super friendly and chilled atmosphere with live music, child & dog friendly and camping available.
📍Bredy Farm, Bredy Lane, Burton Bradstock, Bridport, DT6 4ND.
🕘 Friday 24 – Sunday 26 May 2024.
ℹ️ For more information and tickets click here.
Bournemouth 7s Festival
A festival for all the sport and music lovers out there with sport competitions, a fun fair and well over 100 acts and DJ’s.
📍Chapel Gate, Bournemouth Sports Club, BH23 6BL.
🕘 Friday 24 – Sunday 26 May 2024.
ℹ️ For more information and tickets click here.
Cursus Cider & Music Festival – Blandford Forum
Great music, cider and food plus plenty to do for the kids in the DIY Den with self-led activities, craft demonstrations and a campfire. Camping available.
📍Myncen Farm, Minchington, Blandford Forum DT11 8DH.
🕘 Friday 24 – Sunday 26 May 2024.
ℹ️ For more information and tickets click here.
Swanage Pirate Festival
2 days full of thrills & spills with a parade, living history displays & talks, battles on the beach, canon and sword displays and lots of food and other stalls filled with pirate plunder.
FREE EVENT
📍Swanage Pier, BH19 1PX.
🕘 Saturday 25 & Sunday 26 May 2024.
ℹ️ For more information and tickets click here.
Christchurch Food Festival
A huge celebration of great food and drink, chef demos, live music and entertainment and the ever popular Sheep Show plus children’s activities.
FREE EVENT
📍Christchurch Quay (the Quomps).
🕘 Saturday 25 – Monday 27 May 2024.
ℹ️ For more information and tickets click here.
Swanage Fairy Festival
The Swanage Fairy Festival has it all exciting entertainment such as underwater mermaid shows,
meet & greets with princesses, super hero’s, fairies and pirates plus game shows, magic comedy show and unicorn rides and so much more.
UNDER 2’s GO FREE!
📍Sandpit Field, Shore Road, Swanage BH1 91
🕘 Friday 31 May & Saturday 1 June 2024.
ℹ️ For more information and tickets click here.
Family Fest Dorset – Wimborne
Wimborne’s biggest family festival is back on the first weekend of June in 12 acres of working farmland! With live music, trading village, children entertainment, Mind & Calm Zone including a SEN Quiet Zone, Funfair rides, Charity Dog Show.
📍The Meadows (Julians Field), Julians Road, Wimborne BH21 1EF.
🕘 Saturday 1 – Sunday 2 June 2024.
ℹ️ For more information and tickets click here.
Wimborne Minster Folk Festival
One of England’s most beloved Folk Festival in the beautiful, historic town of Wimborne Minster plays host to music, dancing and so much more. Most if the events are free but some are ticketed.
📍All over Wimborne.
🕘 Friday 7 – Sunday 9 June 2024.
ℹ️ For more information and tickets click here.
SummerFest – Weymouth
A fun filled family day festival including a pop-up farmers’ market, children’s football tournament, crazy golf, bouncy castle, rides and trampolines plus falconry, Combat Lab and classic car displays and more.
FREE ENTRY (but donations are welcome raising money for the Acquired Brain Injury Rehabilitation Service and the RNLI Weymouth Lifeboat Station).
📍Redlands Leisure and Community Park, Dorchester Road, Weymouth DT3 5AW.
🕘 Saturday 8 June 2024.
ℹ️ For more information and tickets click here.
West Moors Farm Fest
Fun activities & entertainment at the farm, workshops, kids yoga and good food!
📍Gullivers Farm, Station Road, West Moors BH22 0JG.
🕘 Saturday 8 June 2024.
ℹ️ For more information and tickets click here.
Poole Pride 2024
Come as you are and embrace a full day and night of inclusive entertainment. By day – Our building will be alive with vibrant family friendly events – FREE for everyone to enjoy. By night – It’s time to get your glittery outfits and dancing shoes on, ready to revel in the company of our line-up.
📍Lighthouse Poole.
🕘 Saturday 8 June 2024.
ℹ️ For more information and tickets click here.
Highcliffe Food & Arts Festival
A family friendly festival with fabulous street food, celebrity chefs, cookery demonstrations, live music, children’s entertainment and much more.
FREE ENTRY
📍Highcliffe High Street & Village Green.
🕘 Saturday 8 & Sunday 9 June 2024.
ℹ️ For more information and tickets click here.
Bridport Food Festival
Bridport Food festival is promoting local food and drink producers from Bridport and the surrounding areas.
📍Askers Meadow, Pasture Way, Bridport DT6 4DN.
🕘 Friday 14 & Saturday 15 June 2024.
ℹ️ For more information and tickets click here.
Upton House Food & Music Festival – Upton Country Park Poole
Set in the beautiful grounds of Upton Country Park featuring local food, arts & crafts, live music and children’s entertainment.
📍Upton Country Park, Poole Road, Upton BH17 7BJ.
🕘 Friday 14 – Sunday 16 June 2024.
ℹ️ For more information and tickets click here.
Bands for Bravery Music Festival – Wareham
Join us for a fantastic weekend of music, camping and children’s entertainment in the heart of the Dorset countryside as we raise money for Helping Homeless Veterans UK.
📍Longthorns Farm, Wareham, BH20 6HH.
🕘 Friday 14 – Sunday 16 June 2024.
ℹ️ For more information and tickets click here.
Swanage Fish Festival
Celebrating all things ‘fishy’ with locally produced fish, foods, drink & crafts.
FREE EVENT
📍Swanage, BH19 2AR.
🕘 Saturday 15 – Sunday 16 June 2024.
ℹ️ For more information and tickets click here.
DorsetFest – Blandford Forum
DorsetFest is a family-friendly music with a fantastic range of music, entertainment and food. It is run and organised by volunteers with all money going to local charities.
📍Warren Farm, Bere Regis, Wareham BH20 7LT.
🕘 Friday 21 – Saturday 22 June 2024.
ℹ️ For more information and tickets click here.
Grooves on the Green – Poole
A 3 day family friendly gathering featuring live music and entertainment and a big Kids zone with entertainment like Meet & Greets, Circus Skills and Fire Show, rides, bouncy castle, trampolines, face painting, children’s crafts and more.
📍Ashley Cross, 141-143 Commercial Road, Poole BH14 8UF.
🕘 Friday 21 – Sunday 23 June 2024.
ℹ️ For more information and tickets click here.
Shake & Stir Vintage Music Festival – Bournemouth
Two days of fabulous live music from the 20’s-70’s, Lots of things to eat, drink, shop and do for every age.
FREE EVENT
📍Fisherman’s Walk, Bournemouth BH6 3SQ.
🕘 Saturday 22 & Sunday 23 June 2024.
ℹ️ For more information and tickets click here.
Upton Country Park Festival
Upton Country Park Festival is an annual 2-day festival featuring the world’s best tribute acts with Ladies Night on Friday and Superstars on Saturday. Bring your own food.
📍Upton Country Park, Poole.
🕘 Friday 5 – Saturday 6 July 2024.
ℹ️ For more information and tickets click here.
Lyme Regis Sausage & Cider Festival
Lyme Regis Football Club will once again host its annual Sausage & Cider Festival a day of live music and entertainment, 20+ ciders plus a fully-stocked bar, Pimm’s tent, bouncy castle and more!
📍Lyme Regis Football Club, Davey Fort Ground, Charmouth Road.
🕘 Saturday 6 July 2024.
ℹ️ For more information and tickets click here.
Bourne Free Pride Festival – Bournemouth
Bourne Free is Bournemouth and Poole’s pride festival. Promoting equality and diversity within the local area. Friday evening there will be the Bourne Free Family Fun Night which is a FREE event but you need to get a ticket here.
📍Meyrick Park, Winton.
🕘 Saturday 6 July 2024.
ℹ️ For more information and tickets click here.
Bredy Farm Festival – Bredy Reunion
Bredy Reunion will be a weekend of non-stop dance parties featuring some of the best DJ and live outfits out there.
📍Burton Bradstock.
🕘 Thursday 11 – Sunday 14 July 2024.
ℹ️ For more information and tickets click here.
Dorset Volksfest 2024 – Wareham
A full weekend live music, bouncy castles, stunt shows, food and a field full of stunning, crazy, classic and much loved autos from the VW family!
KIDS UNDER 11 GO FREE!
📍At The Showground, Worgret Rd, Wareham BH20 6AB
🕘 Friday 12 – Sunday 14 July 2024.
ℹ️ For more information and tickets click here.
Sandpolo 2024
The British Beach Polo Championships in Sandbanks is the largest beach polo event in the world.
📍Sandbanks, Poole.
🕘 Friday 12 – Saturday 13 July 2024.
ℹ️ For more information and tickets click here.
Swanage Jazz Festival
Jazz by the Sea! There will be over 40 bands covering a wide range of styles.
📍Swanage.
🕘 Friday 12 – Sunday 14 July 2024.
ℹ️ For more information and tickets click here.
Jurassic Fields Music Festival – Bridport
Jurassic Fields will have some amazing music, food and entertainment including a comedy stage.
KIS UNDER 10 GO FREE.
📍West Bay Fields, Nr Broomhill Farm, Bridport.
🕘 Friday 12 – Sunday 14 July 2024.
ℹ️ For more information and tickets click here.
Lyme Morris Day 2024
The Lyme Morris Dancer are holding there annual Morris Day which is a fantastic fun day on the seafront in Lyme Regis.
📍Lyme Regis Seafront.
🕘 Saturday 13 July 2024.
ℹ️ For more information click here.
Sandfest
The boutique beach festival in Dorset is back for it’s 5th year and this year Dizzy Rascal is the headliner of the 5k strong festival down the beach.
📍Sandbanks Beach, Poole.
🕘 Sunday 14 July 2024.
ℹ️ For more information and tickets click here.
Wilkswood Reggae Festival – Swanage
Family friendly festival with 4 days full of sweet reggae music with a designated Kids Zone.
Kids under 3 go FREE.
📍Wilkswood Farm, High Street Langton Matravers BH19 3HD.
🕘 Thursday 18 – Sunday 22 July 2024.
ℹ️ For more information and tickets click here.
Tollpuddle Martyrs Festival
The annual festival celebrate the memory of the Tolpuddle Martyrs and reflects the spirit of those prepared to stand up and be counted, and for those just learning about its history. It is a joyful celebration of solidarity.
KIDS UNDER 5 GO FREE.
📍Tolpuddle Martyrs Museum, Dorchester Road, Tolpuddle DT2 7EH.
🕘 Friday 19 – Sunday 21 July 2024.
ℹ️ For more information and tickets click here.
Xchurch Music Festival
Jam-packed with the finest local talent from across Dorset, including live covers, tributes, and original music bands, plus DJs. Enjoy thrilling rides at the fun fair & exciting kids’ entertainment.
📍Christchurch Quay, 12 Queens Avenue, Christchurch BH23 1BZ.
🕘 Friday 19 – Sunday 21 July 2024.
ℹ️ For more information and tickets click here.
Shaftesbury Fringe
With comedy, dancing, theatre, music and lots more at various venues across the town of Shaftesbury.
📍Shaftesbury.
🕘 Friday 26 – Sunday 28 July 2024.
ℹ️ For more information and tickets click here.
Lyme Regis Lifeboat Week
A whole WEEK of fun, games, entertainment music and displays for all the family to enjoy with the popular bath tub race, illuminated boats, a crab fishing competition and of course the spectacular Army parachute display team The Red Devils.
📍Lyme Regis.
🕘 DATES TO BE CONFIRMED July 2024.
ℹ️ For more information click here.
Camp Bestival – Lulworth
The UK’s favourite family festival is back at Lulworth Castle with a huge music line up and so many fun children’s and families activities!
BABIES UNDER 1 GO FREE.
📍Lulworth Castle, Wareham BH20 5QS.
🕘 Thursday 25 – Sunday 28 July 2024.
ℹ️ For more information and tickets click here.
Poole Harbour Festival
The very popular Poole harbour festival has great live music and world class tribute bands as well as free kids entertainment and activities.
Kids under 5 go FREE.
📍Baiter Park, Poole.
🕘 Friday 26 – Sunday 28 July 2024.
ℹ️ For more information and tickets click here.
Bournemouth Reggae Weekender
Enjoy a a diverse cultural festival with reggae music, trade stands, entertainment and food.
KIDS GO FREE.
📍Kings Park, Bournemouth BH7 6JB.
🕘 Friday 26 – Sunday 28 July 2024.
ℹ️ For more information and tickets click here.
Proms In The Park – Poole
On Friday we have the Classical Extravaganza with some of the best classical music ever written and Saturday 27 July sees the return of our sensational Disco Symphonic Spectacular featuring an explosion of Seventies Disco hits, full Disco band and star singers.
📍Meyrick Park, Poole.
🕘 Friday 26 July – Saturday 27 July 2024.
ℹ️ For more information and tickets click here.
Weymouth Food & Family Festival
Over 60 food, drinks and arts producers with live music, cooking shows, dog show, fun fair, chilly eating contest and so much more.
KIDS UNDER 5 GO FREE.
📍Lodmoore Country Park, DT4 7SX.
🕘 Saturday 27 – Sunday 28 July 2024.
ℹ️ For more information and tickets click here.
Swanage Carnival
Swanage Carnival is a packed week of fun, entertainment, live music, there is something for everyone with not one but 3 fireworks displays and a great carnival procession.
📍Swanage.
🕘 Saturday 27 July – Saturday 3 August 2024.
ℹ️ For more information and tickets click here.
Summer Camp Out – Wimborne
Live Music, DJ’s, Circus Performers, Workshops, Games, Stalls, Spa Area and so much more.
Under 5’s go FREE.
📍Pilford Farm, Wimborne BH21 7BD.
🕘 Thursday 1 – Sunday 4 August 2024.
ℹ️ For more information and tickets click here.
Lyme Regis Regatta And Carnival
Plenty of family fun to be had at the Lyme Regis Carnival Week. From the Walk of Light Torchlight Procession, Carnival Procession plus fireworks, a duck race, beach treasure hunt, open air film screenings, beach sports and of course the regatta.
📍Marine Parade, Lyme Regis.
🕘 Friday 2 – Saturday 10 August 2024.
ℹ️ For more information and tickets click here.
Gin & Rum Festival – Bournemouth – Over 18’s only
Discover new favourites with samples from our hand-picked guest distillers, treat yourself at our themed Gin and Rum bars, and let your hair down with friends whilst enjoying music from our award-winning DJ and live entertainment.
📍Bournemouth Pavilion Theatre.
🕘 Saturday 3 August 2024.
ℹ️ For more information and tickets click here.
Stompin’ On The Quomps – Christchurch
Stompin’ On the Quomps is back with a great line up of professional jazz musicians, food traders and bar.
FREE EVENT (but donations are welcome)
📍Christchurch Quay.
🕘 Saturday 3 August 2024.
ℹ️ For more information click here.
Great Dorset Chilli Festival – Sturminster Newton
Not to be missed by any chilli lover! From all things cilli for sale plus music, chilli cook-off competitions, street food and of course a chilli eating competition.
KIDS UNDER 10 GO FREE.
📍Stock Gaylard Deer Park, Sturminster Newton.
🕘 Saturday 3 – Sunday 4 August 2024.
ℹ️ For more information and tickets click here.
Christchurch Carnival
Join us for some carnival fun on the Quay for all the family. This includes a series of displays and fun activities on the quay, as well as music, events and a funfair plus fireworks.
FREE EVENT
📍Christchurch Quay.
🕘 Saturday 10 – Sunday 11 August 2024.
ℹ️ For more information click here.
Bridport Carnival
A full week of Carnival fun from a Teddy Bears Picnic, Carnival Quiz and Family Bingo as well as the Carnival procession on Saturday and the Torchlight Procession on Sunday.
📍Bridport.
🕘 Monday 12 – Sunday 18 August 202
ℹ️ For more information click here.
Gillingham And Shaftesbury Show
This large event in Dorset over 2 days hosts cattle, dog shows, horses, art classes, displays and plenty more.
📍Turnpike Showground, Motcombe SP7 9PL.
🕘 Wednesday 14 – Thursday 15 August 2024.
ℹ️ For more information and tickets click here.
Purbeck Valley Folk Festival
Purbeck Valley Folk Festival is a small festival set on a farm on the beautiful Jurassic Coastline. We’re a festival that’s loved by everyone because there’s loads for kids to do, loads for parents, and loads for the old folkies!
KIDS UNDER 3 GO FREE.
📍Purbeck Valley Farmhouse.
🕘 Thursday 15 – Sunday 18 August 2024.
ℹ️ For more information and tickets click here.
Vdub At The Pub Festival – Wimborne
Fantastic family festival of dubs, live music, camping, vintage cycling, fun activities, great food and drink.
📍Wimborne Minster, Dorset
🕘 Friday 16 – Sunday 18 August 2024.
ℹ️ For more information and tickets click here.
Dorchester Cider Festival
A family friendly celebration of the regions finest cider producers, special guests, great food and good music.
📍Borough Gardens, Dorchester.
🕘 Saturday 17 August 2024.
ℹ️ For more information and tickets click here.
We Out Here Festival – Wimborne St. Giles
Joining the musical dots between soul, hip hop, house, afro, electronica, jazz and beyond, this family friendly festival also has a huge range of activities on offer for kids, mums, dads, aunts, uncles and grandparents!
KIDS UNDER 15 GO FREE.
📍Wimborne St. Giles.
🕘 Thursday 15 – Monday 19 August 2024.
ℹ️ For more information and tickets click here.
Jurassic Dance Festival
Three days of classic dances vibes plus three nights camping on the Jurassic coast. Take a trip back in time, family friendly summer fun.
📍Wilkswood Farm, Valley Rd, Swanage BH19 3DX.
🕘 Friday 16 – Sunday 18 August 2024.
ℹ️ For more information and tickets click here.
Purbeck Valley Folk Festival
The best of folk and roots music from around the world (on 5 stages) plus children activities like storytelling, rock-climbing, archery, dinosaurs, crafts, circus skills, bouncy castles, fancy dress, maypole dancing, and much more!
📍Purbeck Vaelly Farmhouse, Valley Road, Wareham BH20 5HU.
🕘Thursday 15 – Sunday 18 August 2024.
ℹ️ For more information and tickets click here.
New Forest Food Festival
Rich in local produce, artisan foodies and makers, internationally-renowned chefs and restaurants, unique skills and intricate crafts.
📍Hinton Admiral, New Forest BH23 7EF.
🕘 Saturday 17 – Sunday 18 August 2024.
ℹ️ For more information and tickets click here.
Melplash Agricultural Show
Featuring horse and livestock competitions along with rural crafts, local produce, trade stands, agricultural machinery and a fun day out for all the family!
📍The West Bay Show Grounds, Bridport.
🕘 Thursday 22 August 2024.
ℹ️ For more information click here.
BeCider Seaside 19 – Burton Bradstock
A super friendly and chilled atmosphere with live music (local, national artists and DJ’s), child & dog friendly and camping available.
📍Bredy Farm, Bredy Lane, Burton Bradstock, Bridport, DT6 4ND.
🕘 Friday 23 – Sunday 26 August 2024.
ℹ️ For more information and tickets click here.
Lyme Regis Folk Festival
The Lyme Folk weekend is the late Summer festival by the sea in Dorset. There’s music on the seafront stage and in the Marine Theatre.
📍Lyme Regis.
🕘 Friday 23 – Monday 26 August 2024.
ℹ️ For more information and tickets click here.
Lyme Splash Water Polo Sea Championship – Lyme Regis
The UK’s largest Water Polo Sea Championship taking place again at the Cobb this Summer.
📍The Cobb, Lyme Regis
🕘 Saturday 24 – Sunday 25 August 2024.
ℹ️ For more information click here.
Bournemouth Air Festival 2024
The award winning air festival returns back for 4 days of amazing and breath taking air displays, dusk performances and entertainment on land.
FREE EVENT.
📍Bournemouth Beach
🕘 Wednesday 29 – Sunday 31 August 2024.
ℹ️ For more information click here.
End Of The Road Festival
End of the Road has a unique atmosphere, relaxed and friendly but serious about music. The beautiful pleasure gardens at Larmer Tree form an ideal place to create a woodland wonderland!
📍Larmer Tree Gardens, Blandford Forum.
🕘 Thursday 29 – Sunday 1 September 2024.
ℹ️ For more information and tickets click here.
On the Bus Festival 2024
Two stages, guitars, drums, bass and turntables until 2 am, setting the perfect backdrop to create more unforgettable memories. Expect an electrifying mix of DJs and live bands.
📍Bredy Farm, Bredy Lane, Burton Bradstock, Bridport, DT6 4ND.
🕘 Friday 30 – Sunday 1 September 2024.
ℹ️ For more information and tickets click here.
Swanage Folk Festival
A weekend of fun for everyone with top folk artist, NEW comedy club, ever popular Ceilidh, children’s activities and much more! Music and Dance by the sea.
📍Swanage Sea Front & Town Center.
🕘 Friday 6 – Sunday 8 September 2024.
ℹ️ For more information click here.
Dorset County Show – Dorchester
A fun packed weekend for all the family with Cattle, Pigs, Sheep Shearing, huge vegetables, magnificent heavy horses, shetland pony racing, vintage tractors, the Dorset Axemen, the World’s biggest Monster trucks and so much more!
📍Dorchester Showground.
🕘 Saturday 7 – Sunday 8 September 2024.
ℹ️ For more information click here.
Bournemouth Vegan Festival
70+ stalls, world food caterers, exciting cookery demos, inspirational talks, interactive workshops, yoga and children’s activities.
📍Citygate Centre,138A Holdenhurst Rd, Boscombe BH8 8AS.
🕘 Saturday 7 September 2024.
ℹ️ For more information and tickets click here.
The Dorset Seafood Festival – Weymouth
Same seafood extravaganza brought to you with fresh local seafood, family entertainment and live cooking demos by some top chefs.
Kids go FREE.
📍Weymouth Peninsula
🕘 Saturday 7 – Sunday 8 September 2024.
ℹ️ For more information and tickets click here.
Sturminster Newton Cheese Festival
More then just cheese…something for all the cheese lovers out there with plenty of delicious Cheese Producers, Food Stalls, Crafters & Children’s Activities.
Kids under 15 go FREE.
📍Sturminster Newton.
🕘 Saturday 14 – Sunday 15 September 2024.
ℹ️ For more information click here.
Inside Out Dorset Festival
Inside Out Dorset is an international outdoor arts festival that takes place across the county every two years. Celebrating Dorset, promoting the natural landscape and sense of place.
FREE EVENT.
📍All over Dorset.
🕘 TO BE CONFIRMED September 2024.
ℹ️ For more information click here.
Shaftesbury Carnival
Afternoon procession 3pm – Band Parade 6.15pm – Evening Procession 7.15pm.
📍Shaftesbury.
🕘 Saturday 28 September 2024.
ℹ️ For more information click here.
Arts by the Sea Festival – Bournemouth
Arts by the Sea Festival is back with over 150 music, art and dance performances all over Bournemouth.
FREE EVENT. (But some performances may be ticketed please check on the website)
📍Bournemouth.
🕘 Friday 27 – Sunday 29 October 2024.
ℹ️ For more information click here.
