Larmer Tree Festival
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1 January, Poole Quay. cheer on the crews as they take their specially constructed bathtub vessels out on the water
Since 2008. Hot cider, apple juice and an open fire. Traditional Wassailing ceremony led by Martin Maudsley. Musical accompaniment, dancing and singing led by Wyld Morris. Song sheets available.Bring drums, trumpets, whistles or anything to make a noise to frighten away the bad spirits. www.bridportcommunityorchard.org.uk
The race around the minster takes place takes place on Shrove Tuesday. The first heat is run as the Pancake Bell rings out. The race starts at the North Porch and competitors toss their pancakes at the four corners of the church. Open to all.
A series of snowdrop events for all the family at various sites around Shaftesbury.
The Beerex takes place on the first full weekend in February every year.
Annual lambing weekend attracts thousands of visitors.
At various locations around the County.
The Teddy Rocks Music festival raising money for the Dorset charity Teddy20. Charisworth Farm, Blandford, Dorset.
Cattistock. As well as Knob Throwing there will be additional fun knob attractions including Knob Eating, Knob Painting, a Knob & Spoon Race, Guess the weight of the Big Knob, Knob Darts and a Knob Pyramid. An enjoyable day out with a difference. www.dorsetknobthrowing.com. Photos of Dorset Knob Throwing.
The award-winning Christchurch Food Festival takes place over a week in May. The International Food Market takes place on the opening weekend with around 100 traders selling a large range of quality food, drink related produce in the High Street. Free demonstrations by top local chefs and celebrities. www.christchurchfoodfest.co.uk
Watch the cygnets hatch out – great photo opportunities.
A celebration of visual art, music, dance, film and story-telling. www.purbeckartweeks.co.uk
Week-long celebration of music, with events held in a variety of locations in and around Sherborne. www.sherborneabbeyfestival.org
Highlights traditional rural skills, as well as those more modern. www.sherbornecountryfair.com
South Street, Arts Centre and Borough Gardens
Find Dorset exhibitors at the world famous Chelsea Flower Show
Held in the grounds of Sherborne Castle in Dorset this spectacular lakeside event highlights traditional rural skills, as well as those more modern. www.sherbornecountryfair.com
The festival looks at 200 million years of geology. It includes fossil-hunting walks on the beach, collectors showing their finds and scientists analysing the past, present and furture of geology. www.fossilfestival.com
Askers Meadow, Bridport. www.bridportfoodfestival.com
Literary event by http://www.hardysociety.org/
Folk music and family fun. www.wimbornefolk.co.uk
www.verwoodcarnival.com
Farms across Dorset open to the public. farmsunday.org
Moors Valley Country Park. All available locomotives will be in steam, in addition to visiting traction engines, classic cars, a tractor driven saw bench and lots of other exhibits.
Three days of arena action.
Music, theatre, literature and art. www.beaminsterfestival.com
Celebration marking the longest day and the filling of the village pond and is held on the Friday nearest June 21st. View photo gallery.
www.woofstockuk.co.uk
Family festival held in the grounds of Lulworth Castle. www.campbestival.net
Family festival. pooleharbourfestival.com
Sturminster Newton. Boogie woogie and blues music www.ukboogiewoogiefestival.co.uk
2 mile carnival procession, live bands playing on the Main Stage and in the carnival marquee, firework displays, art competitions for children and adults, talent show, treasure hunts, dog show, parachute jumps, water and land sports, Red Arrows and more. www.swanagecarnival.com
Normally held on the last Thursday in July. Home made rafts race down the River Brit.
18th century festive atmosphere, home made bunting is hung across and up and down the street. Residents and stall holders dressed in eighteenth century costume – visitors welcome to join in.
www.facebook.com/LymeRegisLifeboatWeek
Tolpuddle. This event commemorates the bravery of the Tolpuddle Martyrs’ struggle against poverty and authority. It features a wide range of music, speakers, comedians and poets.
Chettle Village Fete has earned itself the title of Dorset’s Whackiest Fete – includes the Alternative Dog Show presented by The Brigadier, the infamous Human Fruit Machine, Cowpat Bingo, Bang the Nail and you can place your bets for the Chettle Derby. Food stalls, big raffle prizes, art auction and more. Raises money for charity. chettlefete.co.uk
Wimborne St Giles. Four day festival celebrating world-class music alongside, wellness, family and cultural activities.
Stock Gaylard. A family-friendly event with lots on offer for chilli lovers, as well as options for those who prefer their food less spicy. www.greatdorsetchillifestival.co.uk
Motcombe Turnpike Showground, SP7 9PL. Events and activities include double harness scurry driving, show jumping, terrier and ferret Racing, live music, heavy horses, cookery theatre, real ale bar, horticulture, birds of prey, dog show, food halls, hog roasts and more. gillinghamandshaftesburyshow.co.uk
Bridport. One day agricultural show with something for all the family. Livestock, horticulture, homecrafts, motor cycle stunt show, local food and producers plus much more. Twitter: @TheMelplashShow. www.melplashshow.co.uk Photos of Melplash Show
Entertaining week culminating in the raft race on the Saturday.
The event raises vital funds for the RNLI.
bournemouthair.co.uk
Weymouth Seafront.
Fireworks, carnival procession, regatta races, activities and events for all ages raining money for local good causes. lymeregiscarnival.co.uk
Music festival held at Larmer Tree Gardens. www.endoftheroadfestival.com
The Dorchester Showground, Dorchester. An action packed weekend for all ages including motorbike display teams, carriage driving, falconry, gun dog displays, terrier racing, sheep shearing and cookery demonstrations. www.dorsetcountyshow.co.uk
Hope Square, Weymouth. Weymouth harbour is transformed into a Seafood Village and you can see plenty of different species of fish and shellfish will be landed, prepared and cooked outside, ready for you to eat.You will also find live music, demonstrations and displays throughout the day. www.dorsetseafood.co.uk
Dorset based arts organisation working with artists, residents and young people to make site responsive work revealing the marginal, sometimes forgotten and less commercial aspects of our coastal towns and communities. b-side festival returns to the the Isle of Portland, Dorset 9 -12 Sept with four days of brand new artworks you won’t see anywhere else. See spectacular projections on ancient castles, ride the No 1 bus like never before, get a make over in the unnatural beauty parlour, take a tour of a secret city where daily life is stranger then fiction join in with, witness and experience some remarkable events and artworks inspired by this fascinating island. Most events are free www.b-side.org.uk
Walk raising funds for local hospitals. More info
A celebration of hats. www.bridporthatfest.org
The Festival takes place on the second full weekend of September.
Sherborne. Street market dating back to medieval times, held on the first Monday after 10th October – old Michaelmas Day. Although no longer an agricultural fair, it is still a major event in Sherborne with four of the town’s main streets becoming full of street traders and food stalls for the day, and a funfair is usually held on the edge of town on the Monday and the days preceding it. packmonday.com
Real ale festival organised by West Dorset CAMRA, held in Weymouth Pavillion.
Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens, Bullers Way, Abbotsbury. Take a magical evening walk along colouful candle-lit pathways into enchanted glades.Gardens open until 8.30pm. Photos of Enchanted Floodlit Gardens
www.bridlit.com
Held at various venues.
Various winter light trails
blandford-yuletide-festival.org.uk
Weymouth Beach. 5k charity Santa run.
Boscombe Pier, Christmas Day morning. Charity swim raising money for Macmillan www.whitechristmasdip.co.uk
25th December, Weymouth Harbour. The event started in 1948 with a bet between two local men and has grown from around 30 swimmers to an average of 200 plus, and thousands of spectators.
A charity fancy dress swim at midday on Boxing Day. Run by Bridport Round Table.
