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Events in Dorset

From world-famous festivals to charming village fairs, discover what's happening across Dorset. We keep this page updated so you never miss out.

Featured Event

Abbotsbury Food Fair

Food & Drink
Abbotsbury 3 & 4 April 2026 Included with garden entry

Held at the stunning Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens. Local food, drink, and craft stalls. Your ticket includes entry to the gardens all day.

Sat Nav: DT3 4LA

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Shaftesbury Food Festival

Food & Drink
Shaftesbury 3 May 2026 Free entry

Over 130 stalls line the High Street and Park Walk, with chef demonstrations, entertainment, and the famous Gold Hill Cheese Run.

Sat Nav: SP7 8JE

Christchurch Cheese and Chilli Festival

Food & Drink
Christchurch 16 & 17 May 2026 Adults paid; under-16s free

A fun-filled weekend of spicy tastings, chilli-eating competitions, cookery demos, and live music. Kids under 16 go free.

Sat Nav: BH23 1AW

Cursus Music and Cider Festival

Music & Cider
Blandford Forum 22–24 May 2026 Ticketed

A small, family-friendly festival near Blandford Forum with live music and a fantastic range of local ciders, ales, and food.

Sat Nav: DT11 7LS

Abbotsbury Swannery Craft & Food Fair

Food & Craft
Abbotsbury 23 & 24 May 2026 Included with Swannery entry

A family-focused weekend of food, drink, and artisan stalls, with the added bonus of seeing the newly hatched cygnets.

Sat Nav: DT3 4JG

Christchurch Food Festival

Food & Drink
Christchurch 23–25 May 2026 Free entry

A free three-day event on Christchurch Quay with local food stalls and a Chef Demonstration Theatre.

Sat Nav: BH23 1AW

Bridport Food Festival

Food & Drink
Bridport 13 June 2026 Free entry

Held at Askers Meadow. Local food vendors, children's activities, and a cookery theatre.

Sat Nav: DT6 3LF

Highcliffe Food & Arts Festival

Food & Arts
Highcliffe 13 & 14 June 2026 Free entry

A free event with artisan food and drink stalls along the high street, plus crafts, a cookery theatre, and live music.

Sat Nav: BH23 4LN

Swanage Fish and Food Festival

Food & Drink
Swanage 13 & 14 June 2026 Free entry

A free event on Sandpit Field overlooking Swanage Bay, with seafood, street food, and live music.

Sat Nav: BH19 1LB

The Dorset Seafood Festival (SeaFeast)

Food & Drink
Weymouth 4 & 5 July 2026 Free entry

The UK's largest seafood festival returns to Weymouth Harbour. Free to attend, celebrating the region's incredible fishing heritage and vibrant food culture.

Sat Nav: DT4 8TR

Lyme Regis Sausage & Cider Festival

Food & Drink
Lyme Regis 4 July 2026 Ticketed

What more could you want? Sausages, cider, and the beautiful setting of Lyme Regis.

Sat Nav: DT7 3QA

Corfe Castle Food & Drink Festival

Food & Drink
Corfe Castle 11 & 12 July 2026 Ticketed

A food festival set in the iconic surroundings of Corfe Castle, celebrating the best produce from Purbeck and South Dorset.

Sat Nav: BH20 5EZ

Dorchester Cider Festival

Food & Drink
Dorchester 15 August 2026 Free entry

A free, family-friendly festival in Dorchester's Borough Gardens with some of the region's finest cider producers, great food, and live music.

Sat Nav: DT1 1XA

Camp Bestival

Music & Family
Lulworth Castle August 2026 From £60

The award-winning family festival set in the grounds of Lulworth Castle. Music, comedy, theatre, and activities for all ages across a magical weekend.

Sat Nav: BH20 5QS

Great Dorset Steam Fair

Heritage
Tarrant Hinton August 2026 From £18

One of the world's greatest heritage events. Hundreds of steam engines, vintage vehicles, fairground rides, and rural crafts across 600 acres of countryside.

Sat Nav: DT11 8HX

Wimborne Food Festival

Food & Drink
Wimborne Minster 19 September 2026 Free entry

A vibrant celebration of the town's thriving food and drink scene, with artisan stalls, free tastings, and cookery demos.

Sat Nav: BH21 1HT

Bournemouth Air Festival

Outdoor
Bournemouth September 2026 Free entry

One of the UK's biggest free air shows. Watch the Red Arrows, military jets, and historic aircraft perform spectacular displays over Bournemouth beach.

Sat Nav: BH2 5AA

Swanage Folk Festival

Music
Swanage September 2026 From £10

A friendly, community-run folk festival with concerts, ceilidhs, workshops, and sessions in venues across this charming seaside town.

Sat Nav: BH19 1LB