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Events and Festivals in Dorchester

Are you searching for a place that buzzes with events all year round?

Well get ready to fill your days with festivals, fairs, shows, carnivals and concerts as Dorchester has them all!

Festival Fever

Dorchester has a vibrant mix of festivals; the popular Thomas Hardy Victorian Fair in June, the Cider Festival in August and the Dorchester Literary Festival in the Autumn.

But the highlight of Dorchester’s calendar year has to be the Dorset County Show, an annual agricultural show featuring over 450 tradestands and a fantastic array of attractions. Drawing in the crowds are the spectacular main ring performances, the show jumping, the rousing scurry racing, the funfair and not forgetting of course all of the delicious food and shopping there is to be done.

Seasonal events

No matter what the weather is doing, there’s always somewhere to go in Dorchester.

In February, welcome the newborn lambs into the world at Kingston Maurward’s Lambing weekend and at Easter, hunt throughout the Dinosaur Museum to spot the dinosaur eggs and solve the mystery.

In the Summer, take the family and a picnic down to the Borough Gardens or Maumbury Rings and enjoy the live music events.

And at Christmas, the town is lit up and filled with the wonderful aroma of roasted chestnuts for the Christmas Cracker, Dorchester’s Christmas shopping event.

Market Days

Wednesday is Dorchester’s market day so come and enjoy the lively atmosphere, pick up some fresh produce, clothes, plants, flowers, antiques, collectables and gifts.

A Country Market is held every Friday in the Corn Exchange and a Farmers’ Market is also held up at Poundbury’s Queen Mother Square on the first Saturday of the month. So time your visit to Dorchester well and you’ll be in for some tasty treats!

Events coming soon

Awake with Tony Moore May 03

Awake with Tony Moore

Tony's journey in the music industry has been nothing short of legendary, from being an original member of Iron Maiden to playing with Meatloaf and touring the world with Cutting Crew ('I Just...

The Ghost Train May 03

The Ghost Train

Amature dramatic performance of The Ghost Train. Set in a haunted railway station in the 1920s, strangers are thrown together in this thriller with a twist. Ideal for adults looking for a period fun...

Blow Your Own Trumpet Comedy Night May 04

Blow Your Own Trumpet Comedy Night

An hilarious evening of open mic stand up comedy, at this cosy and welcoming micropub in the heart of Dorchester. New and established comedians will keep you entertained and laughing throughout the...

Casterbridge Male Voice Choir May 04

Casterbridge Male Voice Choir

Join us for a mixture of popular classics, sung in sumptuous four-part harmony, accompanied by Louise Dukes at the grand piano. Music by legendary composers such as Irving Berlin, Rogers and...

Hands On Workshop for Wildlife Gardening May 04

Hands On Workshop for Wildlife Gardening

Here's a chance to get up close and meet our wild neighbours! Come and experience some simple low budget ways of making wildlife more welcome. Get there early to see the surprising beauties in the...

Abbotsbury Baby Swans Hatching May 10

Abbotsbury Baby Swans Hatching

Between mid May and the end of June the Baby Swans hatch and take their first steps from dozens of nests across the Swannery. Explore the Swannery and witness the unique sight of the fluffy grey baby...

Dorchester Walking Festival May 11

Dorchester Walking Festival

Experience the beauty of Dorchester and the Jurassic Coast at the Dorchester Walking Festival, 11th - 19th May, 2024. Lace up your boots and get ready to explore stunning landscapes and the rich...

Messy Church May 11

Messy Church

Free - Family - Fun - Games - Craft - Stories - Puppets - Food. Our NEXT Messy Church takes place on Saturday 24th May and the theme is GOD'S PROMISES!!! Aimed at families with children aged 0-10...

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