Discover what's on in Dorset this November 2026, with art exhibitions, literary festivals, theatre, ballet, live music and cultural events taking place across the county. From Japanese prints at Bournemouth's Russell-Cotes and contemporary art in Bridport to performances at Lighthouse Poole, Christchurch's Regent Centre and Wimborne's Tivoli Theatre, explore some of the best arts and cultural events to enjoy in Dorset this autumn.
20th October 2026
November brings plenty of opportunities to explore Dorset's creative side, whether you enjoy discovering new exhibitions, attending live performances or spending an evening listening to music in a historic setting.
Across Bournemouth, Poole, Christchurch, Wimborne, Bridport and beyond, galleries, theatres, museums and community venues are hosting a varied programme of events throughout the month.
We've brought together some of the highlights worth adding to your calendar.
Bournemouth's Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum has several exhibitions to discover this November, ranging from Japanese art to fashion and local history.
Edo Women: Japanese Prints 1820-1900, running until 11 April 2027, explores women's lives in nineteenth-century Japan through prints created in Edo, now Tokyo.
For anyone interested in Japanese culture, Journey to Japan takes place on 12 November, from 6pm to 8.30pm, offering an evening of gallery exploration and opportunities to handle museum objects.
Other exhibitions include:
Reading the Room: Domestic Interiors in Art - Exploring the stories told by domestic spaces, until 3 January 2027.
Something Borrowed - Wedding dresses spanning nearly 150 years, until 8 November.
Waves of Change - A free Café Gallery exhibition celebrating Bournemouth's Jewish community, until 29 November.
With its cliff-top location and remarkable historic interiors, the Russell-Cotes is a lovely setting for an autumn afternoon of art and culture.
Contemporary art enthusiasts have two exhibitions to look forward to this November.
At Bridport Arts Centre, Fadelands by Marc Atkins runs from 7 November to 19 December, bringing together sculpture, drawings, imagery and moving-image work.
The exhibition explores landscape, architecture and perception, with a free preview evening on 6 November, from 6pm to 8pm. Advance ticket reservations are required.
Meanwhile, Wild Things opens at Jubilee Hall in Poundbury on 28 November, continuing until 6 December.
Organised by Art in Poundbury, the winter exhibition features work from around 140 artists, including painting and sculpture inspired by the natural world.
Dorset Museum & Art Gallery is another destination for art and culture this November.
Dressed for Duty: Fashion, Function and the British Army, 1800-2026 explores the relationship between military uniforms, changing fashions and everyday clothing. Hosted for The Keep Military Museum, the exhibition continues until 13 December.
Visitors can also discover The Portland Dress, a community textile project commissioned by b-side and inspired by Kirstie Macleod's The Red Dress. It remains on display until 31 January 2027.
For those curious about what happens behind the scenes, a Store Tour on 25 November, from 2pm to 3pm, offers an opportunity to explore the museum's Collections Discovery Centre.
November is a particularly good month for book lovers, with two literary festivals bringing authors, readers and aspiring writers together.
The Bridport Literary Festival returns with a varied programme of author talks, discussions and literary events.
This year's line-up includes Mary Berry, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, Patrick Gale, Amanda Craig and Katja Hoyer, alongside a new KidLit programme for children and families.
At Bridport Arts Centre on 8 November at 7pm, Resonate: Bank of Dreams and Nightmares gives young writers the opportunity to perform work developed with poet Cecilia Knapp.
The Blandford Literary Festival offers another opportunity to celebrate books, with author talks, creative activities and community events.
The Book & Craft Fair takes place at the Corn Exchange on 14 November, from 10am to 2pm.
Anyone hoping to attend either festival should check availability in advance, particularly for popular author appearances.
Lighthouse Poole has a busy November programme, with theatre, dance, classical music and family entertainment.
Lost Dog's Juliet & Romeo arrives on 3 November, offering a fresh interpretation of Shakespeare's famous couple through dance, theatre and comedy.
Families can enjoy Horrible Histories: Terrible Tudors and Awful Egyptians, with performances running from 5 to 8 November.
On 13 and 14 November, English Youth Ballet presents The Nutcracker, featuring international principal dancers alongside talented local young performers.
Later in the month, Agatha Christie's classic mystery The Mousetrap takes to the stage from 23 to 28 November.
The Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra also brings two concerts to Lighthouse:
BSO: Sunshine Symphonies - 4 November, featuring Prokofiev, Schumann and Beethoven.
BSO: Flower Power - 25 November, conducted by Andrew Manze.
Other musical highlights include The Furrow Collective on 5 November, Claire Martin & Jim Mullen Group on 6 November and Blazin' Fiddles on 19 November.
For something different, the Ocean Film Festival World Tour arrives on 17 November at 7.30pm, presenting films celebrating ocean adventure and exploration.
Explore the full Lighthouse programme.
Christchurch's historic Regent Centre continues its programme of cinema screenings, live entertainment, music and touring performances throughout November.
One of the month's highlights is the Ocean Film Festival World Tour on 19 November at 7.30pm.
The festival presents a collection of films exploring the world's oceans, featuring adventurers, extraordinary landscapes and stories of marine conservation.
The Regent is also worth checking for its regular film screenings and visiting performances, with further details available through the theatre's official listings.
Few settings are quite as atmospheric for live music as Christchurch Priory, one of Dorset's most impressive historic buildings.
On 7 November at 7.30pm, the G4 Christmas Tour brings festive music and four-part vocal harmonies to the Priory.
Then, on 11 November at 7.30pm, University Music Bournemouth presents Karl Jenkins' The Armed Man, offering an evening of powerful choral music in the historic church.
Alongside these performances, the Priory is a fascinating place to explore for anyone interested in Dorset's architectural and religious heritage.
View Christchurch Priory events.
Wimborne offers a mixture of theatre, music and heritage throughout November.
The Tivoli Theatre hosts visiting productions, concerts, comedy, tribute acts and cinema screenings, making it a popular destination for an evening out.
Nearby, Wimborne Minster provides a historic setting for concerts, recitals and community events.
For something a little different, Nocturne: In the Night Garden takes place at the Museum of East Dorset on 12 November, from 7pm to 8.30pm.
The event combines music, poetry and reflection in the museum's walled garden after dark.
Explore events at the Museum of East Dorset.
One of the best ways to experience Dorset's creative scene is through Artsreach, which brings professional performances to village halls and smaller community venues.
Its November programme includes theatre, storytelling and live music in locations across the county.
The No. 1 Holiday Destination visits:
Powerstock Hut - 7 November
Briantspuddle Village Hall - 8 November
The Mowlem Studio, Swanage - 9 November
Living Spit's The Tragedy of Omlet, Prince of Henmark comes to Portland's Royal Manor Theatre on 18 November, followed by Chetnole Village Hall on 20 November.
Meanwhile, Jekyll and Hyde visits Child Okeford on 18 November, Winfrith on 19 November and Burton Bradstock on 21 November.
Singer-songwriter Hannah Scott performs at Sandford Orcas on 3 November, Ibberton on 4 November and Woodlands on 6 November.
The BSO Wind Ensemble visits Gillingham School Hall on 12 November and Lytchett Matravers Village Hall on 13 November.
Later in the month, Duane Andrews and The Hot Club of Conception Bay perform in Broadmayne, Studland and Hinton Martell from 20 to 22 November.
Flats & Sharps round off the month with concerts in Yetminster on 27 November and Sturminster Marshall on 28 November.
These smaller performances offer the chance to enjoy professional entertainment closer to home while supporting Dorset's rural cultural venues.
At Shaftesbury Arts Centre, Of Mice and Men has afternoon and evening performances on 11 November.
The venue also hosts the Shaftesbury New Writing Scratch Festival on 28 November, with separate sessions showcasing work by young and adult writers.
Meanwhile, An Audience with King Henry VIII takes place at Athelhampton House on 20 November, from 7pm to 9.30pm.
Set in the Tudor Great Hall, the event brings history to life through a performance featuring the famous monarch, concluding with an opportunity for audience questions.
Find out more about the Athelhampton event.
There are also several opportunities to discover something new or get involved in Dorset's creative community this November.
At The Sherborne, All the Beauty and the Bloodshed screens on 9 November, exploring the life, work and activism of photographer Nan Goldin.
On 12 November at 7pm, The Exchange in Sturminster Newton screens the National Theatre production of The Misanthrope, starring Sandra Oh.
For those who prefer something hands-on, Sandy Hill Arts in Corfe Castle hosts a Coastline Glass Workshop on 7 November.
At Lyme Regis Museum, an artist open afternoon with Ilse Black takes place on 4 November, from 2.30pm to 4pm, offering visitors the chance to meet one of the artists behind the exhibition TO THE SEA.
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