Discover the best Dorset events in 2026 with our month-by-month calendar featuring music festivals, food festivals, country shows, carnivals, literary events, sporting events and family-friendly days out across the county. From Bournemouth and Poole to Weymouth, Swanage, Bridport and beyond, explore what's on throughout the year and find inspiration for your next Dorset adventure. Bookmark this page as we'll keep it updated with the latest 2026 event announcements and new events as they're confirmed.
30th July 2026
Dorset Events 2026 | What's On in Dorset | Dorset Lifestyle
Planning your year in Dorset? Our Dorset Events Calendar 2026 brings together some of the county's biggest festivals, family days out, food and drink events, music festivals, agricultural shows, carnivals and seasonal celebrations all in one place. Whether you're looking for live music by the coast, award-winning food festivals, traditional village shows or spectacular Christmas events, you'll find plenty happening throughout the year. We'll continue updating this guide as more 2026 dates and details are announced, making it your go-to resource for what's on in Dorset.
New Year Viennese Gala - 1 January - Click HERE for more information
Illuminate at The Blue Pool - 10 Jan - 22 Feb - Click HERE for more information
Vitality Bournemouth Bay Run - 21 March - Click HERE for more information
Bournemouth Writing Festival - 24 April - Click HERE for more information
Sherborne Abbey Festival - 29 April - 6 May - Click HERE for more information
Shaftesbury Food Festival - 2 May - Click HERE for more information
Dorset Spring Show - 9 - 10 May - Click HERE for more information
Southbourne Food and Fun Festival - 16 May - Click HERE for more information
Poole's Magic of Thailand Festival - 16 - 17 May - Click HERE for more information
Dorset Blind Association Motor Show - 17 May - Click HERE for more information
The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride - 17 May - Click HERE for more information
Bournemouth 7s Festival - 28 - 30 May - Click HERE for more information
Christchurch Food Festival - 29 - 31 May - Click HERE for more information
Wimborne Minster Folk Festival - 11 - 13 June - Click HERE for more information
Lyme Regis Fossil and Earth Science Festival - 12 - 13 June - Click HERE for more information
DorsetFest - 18 - 19 June - Click HERE for more information
Grooves on the Green - 19 - 21 June - Click HERE for more information
B sharp Busking event - 27 June - Click HERE for more information
Shake & Stir Vintage Music Festival – 27 - 28 June - Click HERE for more information
Dorset Seafood Festival - 4 - 5 July - Click HERE for more information
Tree of Strings Festival - 9 July - Click HERE for more information
Cerne Abbas Music Festival - 9 - 11 July - Click HERE for more information
Swanage Jazz Festival - 9 - 11 July - Click HERE for more information
Bourne Free Pride Parade - 10 - 12 July - Click HERE for more information
Sandfest - 12 July - Click HERE for more information
Tolpuddle Martyrs' Festival - 17 - 19 July - Click HERE for more information
Christchurch Priory Music and Art Festival - 17 - 19 July - Click HERE for more information
The Wild Swimming Festival - 18–19 July - Click HERE for more information
Cattistock Country Show - 19 July - Click HERE for more information
Bournemouth Reggae Weekender - 24 - 26 July - Click HERE for more information
Bridport Folk Festival - 24th–26th July - Click HERE for more information
Mudeford Arts Festival - 25 - 26 July - Click HERE for more information
Swanage Carnival - 25 July - 1 August - Click HERE for more information
Camp Bestival Dorset - 30 July - 2 August - Click HERE for more information
Poole Harbour Festival - 31 July - 2 August - Click HERE for more information
Lyme Regis Regatta and Carnival Week - 31 July - 8 August - Click HERE for more information
Stompin' on the Quomps - 1 August - Click HERE for more information
Dorset Food and Arts Festival - 1st August - Click HERE for more information
Dorset Chilli Festival - 1 - 2 August - Click HERE for more information
Proms in the Park - 7 - 8 August - Click HERE for more information
Jurassic Fields Festival - 14 - 16 August - Click HERE for more information
Dorchester Cider Festival - 15 August - Click HERE for more information
Gillingham and Shaftesbury Show - 19 - 20 August - Click HERE for more information
We Out Here Festival - 20 - 23 August - Click HERE for more information
Purbeck Valley Folk Festival - 20 - 23 August - Click HERE for more information
Melplash Show - 27 August - Click HERE for more information
Poole Goes Vintage - Taking a gap year - Click HERE for more information
Purbeck Film Festival: Cinema Under the Stars - 15 August - 5 September - Click HERE for more information
Bridport Hat Festival - 5 September - Click HERE for more information
Dorset County Show - 5 - 6 September - Click HERE for more information
Cliff Top Music Festival - 5 - 6 September - Click HERE for more information
Swanage Folk Festival - 11 - 13 September - Click HERE for more information
Seafood and Sounds Festival - 12 - 13 September - Click HERE for more information
Sturminster Newton Cheese Festival - 12 - 13 September - Click HERE for more information
Dorset WALX Festival - 17 - 20 September - Click HERE for more information
Bournemouth Arts by the Sea Festival - 25 - 26 September - Click HERE for more information
Bournevaria Oktoberfest - 26 - 27 September - Click HERE for more information
Bournemouth Romance Writing Festival - 3 October - Click HERE for more information
Run Bournemouth - 10 - 11 October - Click HERE for more information
Halloween Events in Dorset - Click HERE for more information
Purbeck Film Festival - 16 October - 1 November - Click HERE for more information
Poole Beer Festival - 30 - 31 October - Click HERE for more Information
Fireworks at Poole Quay - 5 November - Click HERE for more information
Bridport Literary Festival - 7 - 14 November - Click HERE for more information
Guy Fawkes and Fireworks Events - Click HERE for more information
Christmas Events in Dorset - December
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