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.
10th 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
Illuminate at The Blue Pool - 10 Jan - 22 Feb - Click HERE for more information
Vitality Bournemouth Bay Run - 22nd March
Bournemouth Writing Festival - Friday 24 April - Click HERE for more information
Sherborne Abbey Festival - 29th April - 6th May - Click HERE for more information
Shaftesbury Food Festival - 2nd May - Click HERE for more information
Dorset Spring Show - 9th - 10th May - Click HERE for more information
Poole's Magic of Thailand Festival - 16th - 17th May - Click HERE for more information
Dorset Blind Association Motor Show - 17th May - Click HERE for more information
The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride - 17th May - Click HERE for more information
Bournemouth 7s Festival - 28th - 30th May - Click HERE for more information
Christchurch Food Festival - 29th - 31st May - Click HERE for more information
Wimborne Minster Folk Festival - 11th - 13th June - Click HERE for more information
Lyme Regis Fossil and Earth Science Festival - 12th - 13th June - Click HERE for more information
DorsetFest - 18th - 19th June - Click HERE for more information
B sharp Busking event - 27th June - Click HERE for more information
Dorset Seafood Festival - 4th - 5th July - Click HERE to view more information
Tree of Strings Festival - 9th July - Click HERE to view more information
Cerne Abbas Music Festival - 9th - 11th July - Click HERE to view more information
Bourne Free Pride Parade - 10th - 12th July - Click HERE to view more information
Sandfest - 12th July - Click HERE to view more information
Tolpuddle Martyrs' Festival - 17th - 19th July - Click HERE to view more information
Christchurch Priory Music and Art Festival - 17th - 19th July - Click HERE to view more information
Cattistock Country Show - 19th July - Click HERE to view more information
Bournemouth Reggae Weekender - 24th - 26th July - Click HERE to view more information
Mudeford Arts Festival - 25th - 26th July - Click HERE to view more information
Swanage Carnival - 25th July - 1st August - Click HERE to view more information
Camp Bestival Dorset - 30th July - 2nd August - Click HERE to view more information
Poole Harbour Festival - 31st July - 2nd August - Click HERE to view more information
Lyme Regis Regatta and Carnival Week - 31st July - 8th August - Click HERE to view more information
Stompin' on the Quomps - 1st August - Click HERE to discover more
Dorset Chilli Festival - 1st - 2nd August - Click HERE to discover more
Proms in the Park - 7th - 8th August - Click HERE to discover more
Jurassic Fields Festival - 14th - 16th August - Click HERE to discover more
Gillingham and Shaftesbury Show - 19th - 20th August - Click HERE to discover more
We Out Here Festival - 20th - 23rd August - Click HERE to discover more
Purbeck Valley Folk Festival - 20th - 23rd August - Click HERE to discover more
Melplash Show - 27nd August - Click HERE to discover more
Poole Goes Vintage - Taking a gap year
Bridport Hat Festival - 5th September - Click HERE to discover more
Dorset County Show - 5th - 6th September - Click HERE to discover more
Swanage Folk Festival - 11th - 13th Spetember - Click HERE to discover more
Seafood and Sounds Festival - 12th - 13th September - Click HERE to discover more
Sturminster Newton Cheese Festival - 12th - 13th September - Click HERE to discover more
Dorset WALX Festival - 17th - 20th September - Click HERE to discover more
Bournemouth Arts by the Sea Festival - 25th - 26th September
Bournevaria Oktoberfest - 26th - 27th September - Click HERE to discover more
Bournemouth Romance Writing Festival - 3rd October - Click HERE for more information
Run Bournemouth - 10th - 11th October
Halloween Events in Dorset - Click HERE for more information
Poole Beer Festival - 30th - 31st October - Click HERE for more Information
Fireworks at Poole Quay - 5th Novemeber - Click HERE for more information
Bridport Literary Festival - 7th - 14th 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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