Here’s our comprehensive guide to all those wonderful local events happening around the county this summer
2 - 4 May - Lyme Regis Fossil Festival
Fun fossil-themed events for all
(fossilfestival.com).
2 – 6 May - Sherborne Abbey Music Festival
A glittering line-up of musicians including Sir James Galway.
(sherborneabbeyfestival.org)
4 May - Dorset Knob Throwing & Frome Valley Festival
Celebrate our famous savoury biscuit at Cattistock Village.
(dorsetknobthrowing.com)
5 May - Blandford Georgian Fayre
Stalls, food markets and plenty of Georgian costumes.
(blandfordgeorgianfayre.co.uk)
5 May - Lyme Regis Food Festival
Festival on the beach featuring dozens of local food producers. (lymeregis.org).
5 May - Blandford Food Festival
The Crown Hotel in West Street hosts this local foodie event.
(blandfordfoodfestival.co.uk)
9 – 11 May - Swanage Railway Diesel Gala & Beer Festival
Trains, beer and Corfe Castle! (swanagerailway.co.uk)
10 – 11 May - Ropewalk Fayre
Bridport’s rope and net-making heritage is celebrated at the Town Hall, Borough Gardens and Millennium Green.
10 – 11 May - Christchurch Food & Wine Festival
Award-winning festival with over 120 traders and plenty of food-themed events.
(christchurchfoodfest.co.uk)
16 – 18 May - VDUB at the Pub Festival
Classic Volkswagen car show at Wimborne Town FC Grounds.
(vdubatthepub.com)
17 – 18 May - Spring Tide Food Festival
Local food and art at Hive Beach Café in Burton Bradstock.
(spring-tide.org.uk)
22- 26 May - Dorchester Festival
Community led festival of music, drama and comedy (dorchesterarts.org.uk)
23 – 25 May - Bournemouth 7s Festival
The world’s largest sport and music festival featuring rugby, netball and dodge ball plus lots of live music at East Parley, Christchurch.. (bournemouth7s.com)
24 – 26 May - Bournemouth Wheels Festival
A free wheels-inspired festival throughout town, featuring racing cars, vintage classics, monster trucks, motocross and night time bike rides.
(bournemouthwheels.co.uk)
24 May - 8 June - Purbeck Art Weeks Festival
The Venetian Carnival inspires this year’s celebrations.
(purbeckartweeks.co.uk)
25 May - Harmony@Larmer Tree Crafts, music, beer and cider festival at Larmer Tree Gardens.
(ajar-of.co.uk)
25 – 26 May - Quayside Music Festival
Music at Weymouth Harbour.
(rendezvousweymouth.co.uk)
25 – 26 May - Fayre in the Square
Two days of music, family fun and stalls in Hope Square, Weymouth.
26 May - Sherborne Castle Country Fair
Rare breeds show, local food hall, dragon boats and a circus big top.
(sherbornecountryfair.com)
30 May – 1 June - Lyme Regis Jazz, Blues & Real Ale Festival
A weekend of music and local ale.
(lymeregisjazzfestival)
2 - 8 June - Shaftesbury Festival
Art trail, festival cavalcade, local food market and cheese races.
(shaftesburyfestival.co.uk)
7 - 15 June - Crab Festival
Celebrate the crustaceans of Lyme Bay and eat all things crabby! (lymeregis.org)
8 June - Wessex Car Show
Lulworth Castle hosts this classic car show where Jaguar is the star.
(lulworth.com)
8 - 14 June - Bridport Food Festival
Celebration of local food and drink, main event at Askers Meadow on Saturday.
(bridportfoodfestival.com)
13 - 15 June - Wimborne Minster Folk Festival
Folk and family fun in the historic minster town’s streets.
(wimbornefolk.co.uk)
15 – 21 June - Christchurch Priory Music & Arts Festival
The ancient Priory is at the heart of this major arts festival.
(christchurchpriory.org)
20 – 29 June - Bournemouth Food & Drink Festival
Three distinctive food markets: Street Food Festival (20 – 29 June), World Food Market (20 – 22 June) and Farmers and Producers Market (27– 29 June).
(bournemouth.co.uk)
21 - 22 June - Christchurch Cheese & Chilli Festival
Sample and buy cheese, chillies and real ale at Chapel Gate.
(cheeseandchillifest.com)
22 June - Evershot Country Fair
Over 60 stalls to browse, large food marquee, music, ringside entertainment and trailer rides around Melbury deer park.
(evershot.org/ecf)
28 - 29 June - Tankfest
The best displays of historic moving armour in the world at Bovington’s Tank Museum.
(tankmuseum.org)
28 – 29 June - Folk on the Quay
Poole’s free folk festival on the Quay features top quality live music and dance including Rory McLeod and his Familiar Strangers and The Churchfitters.
(folkonthequay.co.uk)
28 June – 6 July - Beaminster Festival of Music and Arts
World class classical music, jazz, literature and local art.
(beamfest.org.uk)
29 June - Sutton Poyntz Victorian Fayre
Street fayre with live music, local food, family fun and lots of period costume.
5 – 13 July - Mackerel Festival
Lyme Regis celebrates one of the main fish caught in Lyme Bay. (lymeregis.org)
5-6 July - National Trust Food & Drink Festival
Locally produced food and drink are showcased at Corfe Castle.
(nationaltrust.org.uk)
6 July - Gold Hill Fair
Music, dance and local food on Shaftesbury’s famous hill.
(shaftesburydorset.com)
11 – 13 July - Swanage Jazz Festival
The perfect venue for a summer weekend of jazz by the seaside.
(swanagejazz.org)
12 July - Jurassic Fields Music Festival
Askers Meadows Bridport plays host to this family-friendly event.
(jurassicfields.com)
12 – 13 July - Pommery Dorset Seafood Festival
This free seafood-inspired festival at Weymouth is in the UK’s top ten food festivals
(dorsetseafood.co.uk)
16 – 20 July - Larmer Tree Festival
Boutique-style festival featuring over 70 international, national and regional musicians.
(larmertreefestival.co.uk)
18 – 20 July - Tolpuddle Martyrs’ Festival
Music, speakers, stand up comedy and lots of family fun.
(tolpuddlemartyrs.org.uk)
19 July - Leigh Food Festival
Local food and drink in the village hall, vintage and classic car and bike displays outside.
(leighfoodfair.co.uk)
20 July - Church Knowle Food Fair
Celebrate and taste the exceptional food and drink from the Isle of Purbeck @ChurchKnowleFF
26 July – 3 August - Spirit of Portland Festival
Community based festival celebrating Portland’s heritage with walks, talks, firework displays and swimming
(portlandcommunitypartnership.co.uk)
26 – 27 July - Mudeford Arts Festival
Christchurch artists and makers exhibit and sell their work.
(mudefordartsfestival.net)
28 July – 3 August - Milton Abbey International Music Festival
Courses and concerts against the backdrop of Milton Abbey.
(miltonabbey.co.uk)
31 July – 3 August - Camp Bestival
The award-winning family festival at Lulworth Castle.
(campbestival.net)
2 August - Dorset Food & Arts Festival
Local food and arts at the square in the heart of Poundbury.
(dorsetaonb.org.uk)
2-3 August - The Great Dorset Chilli Festival
A chilli fiesta at Wimborne St Giles featuring all things chilli.
greatdorsetchillifestival.co.uk
10 – 17 August - Burton Bradstock Festival of Music & Art
Expect a gathering of national and international musicians.
(burtonbradstockfestival.com)
21 – 24 August - Purbeck Folk Festival
Family- friendly folk music fun on the Wilkswood Farm at Langton Matravers with Lloyd Cole, Boo Hewerdine, Eddi Reader and Turin Brakes.
(purbeckfolk.co.uk)
23 – 24 August - Victorian Fayre Weekend
Cannons, muskets, bugle and drums all feature at Nothe Fort.
(nothefort.org.uk)
23- 24 August - Charminster Festival
Bands, food, drink, family entertainment and special guests
29 -31 August - End of the Road Festival
An intimate music festival at Larmer Tree Gardens featuring music from Flaming Lips and Fleet Foxes and a comedy from Jessica Delfino and Mark Watson.
endoftheroadfestival.com
29 – 31 August - Lyme Folk Festival
The cream of the crop from the UK and local folk scene
lymefolk.com
