Dorset Mela Festival returned to Poole Park in June 2027 for one of Dorset’s largest multicultural celebrations. The free festival brought communities together for a full day of South Asian music, dance, food, arts and entertainment, with live performances, cultural showcases, international food stalls, handicrafts, henna and family activities. Designed as an inclusive celebration for all backgrounds and ages, Dorset Mela offered visitors the chance to experience different traditions, flavours and performances in the heart of Poole.
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Date: Saturday 20 June 2026
Time: 10am - 7pm
Venue: Poole Park, Poole, Dorset, BH15 2SF
Admission: Free
Event type: Culture, music, food and family festival
Dorset Mela is a multicultural festival inspired by the South Asian tradition of a mela, meaning a fair or community gathering.
The event aims to bring together people from different communities across Dorset through shared experiences including food, music, dance, arts and cultural traditions.
Rather than focusing on just one type of entertainment, Dorset Mela combines live performances with food, shopping, family activities and community stalls, creating a full-day festival atmosphere within Poole Park.
Visitors to Dorset Mela Festival could expect:
The festival is designed to be enjoyed by people from all backgrounds rather than being aimed solely at the South Asian community.
Performance is a major part of Dorset Mela, with music and dance helping showcase the diversity of South Asian culture.
The festival programme brings together different styles of traditional and contemporary entertainment, alongside cultural displays and community performances.
The organisers describe the event as a way of bringing different communities together and sharing their heritage through music, dance and live performance.
Food is another central part of the Dorset Mela experience.
Visitors can explore a selection of food stalls offering different dishes and flavours, with the organisers describing the festival as providing a varied multicultural dining experience.
This makes the event as much about discovering new food and traditions as watching the performances taking place throughout the day.
Away from the main entertainment, Dorset Mela includes stalls featuring handicrafts, shopping and cultural products.
Henna painting is traditionally part of the festival programme, alongside opportunities to browse stalls and meet community organisations.
Dorset Mela is designed as a family-friendly community event.
Children can enjoy dedicated entertainment and activities alongside the performances, stalls and food, while the open setting of Poole Park gives families plenty of space throughout the day.
There is no admission charge, making the festival an accessible option for families looking for free things to do in Poole.
The festival takes place at Poole Park, one of Poole’s largest public parks.
Its central location makes it accessible from Poole town centre and gives the event plenty of outdoor space for performances, food stalls, community stands and family activities.
Dorset Mela Festival is free to attend.
No general admission ticket was required for the 2026 event, allowing visitors to arrive throughout the day and explore the festival.
Individual food, products or activities from traders may carry their own charges.
Poole Park is close to Poole town centre and can be reached on foot, by bicycle, public transport or car.
Visitors travelling by train can walk from Poole railway station, while local bus services operate around the town and park area.
Parking is available in and around Poole Park, although spaces can become limited during large events.
Visitors attending Dorset Mela should consider using public transport or one of the larger car parks in central Poole and walking to the festival, particularly during the busiest part of the day.
Dorset Mela is an outdoor festival, so visitors should dress appropriately for the weather.
The 2026 event ran from 10am until 7pm on Saturday 20 June and admission was free. Food, performances, cultural activities and entertainment operated across Poole Park throughout the day.
Future Dorset Mela dates have not yet been confirmed, so visitors looking ahead to 2027 should check the official Dorset Mela website and social channels for announcements.
Please complete this form to request more information.
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