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What's On?
Here are some events taking place over the year!
Carnivals
Wareham Carnival - 18th -20th July 2025
Swanage Carnival and Regatta - 26th July to 2nd August 2025
Bridport Carnival & Torchlight Procession 10th to 17th August 2025
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Other local festivals through the year
Local Firework Displays
Free fireworks display, music & family events at Poole Quay
Wareham Wednesdays: Events in Wareham every Summer Wednesday.
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Have a look at monthly events happening in What’s On in Dorset and the Resort Guide
or Purbeck Events page
The Purbeck Gazette: A local Community Magazine - local news, events, features, art & entertainment news, tide times, public notices, a food section & local business adverts.
Some Festivals, Shows, Fairs and Events Through the Year
Click the links to find out more information and check dates
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Spring and Easter
Various wildlife and walking events at Durlston Country Park
Spring Lambing Weekend at Kingston Maurward College, Dorchester
Kingston Maurward Garden and Animal Park Easter Days
NT Easter Egg Trails - Corfe Castle or Brownsea Island or Studland or Kingston Lacy
Wareham Beerex
Various Dorset Food Festivals - from Easter/April each year
Tiger Day at Bovington Tank Museum - Special Event
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Stampede by the Sea Charity Elephant Trail at Bridport until May 27th 2025​​
May
Sherborne Abbey Festival - April/May
Dorset Spring Show Puddletown Showground
Diesel Gala and Beer Festival at Swanage Railway
Dorset Knob Throwing & Frome Valley Food Festival - Back in 2021
Christchurch Food & Wine Festival
Upton Country Park music weekend
Purbeck Pirate Festival Swanage
Bournemouth 7s Sport and Music Festival - usually May Bank Holiday weekend
Purbeck Arts Week - May & June
Beach Volleyball at Sandbanks and Weymouth beach April to September
June
Wimborne Minster Folk Festival
Harry Paye Day- Pirate themed Family Fun day for local Charities, Poole
Lyme Regis Fossil Festival
Weymouth and Portland Armed Forces & Veterans Day Celebrations
​Bridport Food and Drink Festival
TankFest at Bovington Tank Museum - booking advisable
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July
Swanage Jazz Festival
Quay for my Car, themed car event on Poole Quay every Friday in July & August
British Beach Polo Championships -Sandbanks
Tolpuddle Martyrs' Festival
Sandfest at Sandbanks
Dorset Seafood Festival around Weymouth Harbour
Sherborne Castle Classic and Supercars Show
Poole Goes Vintage
Summer Spectacular FREE live music & fireworks on Poole Quay
​Camp Bestival at Lulworth Castle
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August
Great Dorset Chilli Festival
The Dorset Arts & Crafts Summer Exhibition
Mowlem Theatre Various shows & music Swanage
Melplash Agricultural Show
Purbeck Valley Folk Festival - between Corfe Castle and Swanage
Great Dorset Steam Fair near Blandford - August Bank Holiday weekend NOT 2025
Purbeck Film Festival
Autumn: September October
Bridport Hat Festival
Dorset County Show at Dorchester
Swanage Folk Festival
Weymouth Classic and Sprint Triathlon
Classic & Steam Vehicle Show at Harmans Cross near Swanage
Sturminster Newton Cheese Festival
Swanage and Purbeck Nordic Walking Festival
Bournemouth Arts by the Sea Festival​
Tiger Day at Bovington Tank Museum - Special Event
Dorchester Literary Festival
'Together for Alzheimer's' 5k run in Wareham Forest (starting at Birchwood)
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Winter: November, December January
Free fireworks display & family events - Poole Quay
Bournemouth Free Festive Trail
Santa Steam Special on Swanage Steam Railway - booking essential
Festive Season at Farmer Palmers Farm Park
Santas Chase the Pudding along Weymouth beach in a 5K charity run
Swanage Annual Boxing Day Charity Dip
Bournemouth Ice Skating at Christmas
Christmas Market at Mapperton House
Dorset Christmas Light Trails
Local Markets: To find details of when and where the Markets are on, click here
Car Boot Sales
Details above updated in April 2025 however could be subject to change.
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