Events and what's on in Dorchester
The historical town of Dorchester has built a range of strong communities over the years, and is now home to many fun and interesting events. Shows, fairs, music festivals and historical events regularly occur in Dorchester.
Dorchester welcomes the ever-popular Dorset County Show on an annual basis, an event certainly worth going to.
For most Dorset towns and villages, Dorchester is relatively easy to get to, so take a look at the upcoming events below.
View Dorchester Events by Date:
The next 19 events in Dorchester appear below.
24 April 2024
Piano Recital by Yuanfan Yang
Dorset Museum & Art Gallery,
Dorchester, Dorset
Pianist and composer Yuanfan Yang, born in Edinburgh, is a First-Class Graduate of the Royal Academy of Music and the Royal College of Music in London. He has won numerous prizes at international piano competitions and has performed with prestigious orchestras worldwide. Yuanfan is also an accomplished composer, winning awards for his compositions. His debut album “Watercolour” received critical acclaim.
Water is the inspiration behind much of this programme which will conclude with a ...
27 Apr 2024 to 28 Apr 2024
Dorset Spring Show
Dorchester, Dorset
Get ready for a fusion of food, farming, flowers, and more! Join us in celebrating the vibrant spirit of spring in the heart of Dorset’s stunning countryside. Whether you’re looking to savour local delicacies or discover how they are created. Experience captivating demonstrations, exhilarating entertainment, have a go sessions, indulge in local shopping, savour delicious treats, explore educational zones, and even make the acquaintance of a lamb!
Where Dorset blooms and memories ...
01 May 2024
Athelhampton - O Flow’ry May
Athelhampton House & Gardens,
Dorchester, Dorset
Join esteemed folk musician Tim Laycock, assisted by folk singer Alastair Braidwood, for an evening of words and music from the county and beyond all to do with Spring, May Day, the turning of the year towards summer, and the people who live and worked, past and present, on the land.
These two local actors and musicians join forces to bring readings and poems from Thomas Hardy and William Barnes, traditional folk tunes and songs, and hearty good cheer together for an enjoyable and ...
12 May 2024
Spring Plant Fair at Athelhampton
Athelhampton House & Gardens,
Dorchester, Dorset
Spring Plant Fair on the West lawn of Athelhampton House. SUNDAY 12TH MAY 10am-3pm. Approximately 20 specialist nurseries and independent growers with a few quality craft stalls and wildlife charities. Plant Heritage also sell interesting plants on their own stall, all grown by PH Members.
Admission to the fair is £7.00 and this includes access to Athelhampton Gardens. Plant Heritage Members from across the UK have free admission on production of a current membership card. Admission to the ...
13 May 2024
Kohima 80 Evening
Keep Military Museum,
Dorchester, Dorset
The Keep Military Museum in Dorchester will be hosting a special evening on Monday 13th May 2024 to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of the Battle of Kohima. The evening will begin with a drinks reception at The Keep in Dorchester, where guests will be free to explore the museum collection. Guests will also have the opportunity to view some of the weapons and equipment used by troops during the Burma Campaign and Battle of Kohima in 1944. The evening will culminate with a special talk on the ...
11 May 2024 to 19 May 2024
Dorchester Walking Festival
Dorchester, Dorset
Experience the beauty of Dorchester and the Jurassic Coast at the Dorchester Walking Festival, May 11th-19th, 2024
Lace up your boots and get ready to explore stunning landscapes and rich history. Held during National Walking Month, this festival promises a week of unforgettable walks suitable for all abilities, showcasing the beauty and heritage of Dorset. Come and experience the drama of spring blossom, the heady scent of bluebells carpeting ancient woods, and the chance to see wildlife ...
25 May 2024
D-Day Dance
Keep Military Museum,
Dorchester, Dorset
The Keep Military Museum are delighted to announce we will be hosting a very special 1940s themed dance as part of our 80th Anniversary of D-Day programme. The ‘D-Day Dance’ will take place on the evening of Saturday 25th May 2024 at The Army Reserve Centre, Dorchester, just next door to the museum. The evening will take you back in time to 1940s Dorchester with a live swing band, themed decoration and bar.
All money raised will go to supporting The Keep Military Museum, a registered charity.
20 Mar 2024 to 30 May 2024
A talk about John Brown in Dorchester
Dorset Museum & Art Gallery,
Dorchester, Dorset
John Brown in Dorchester: Rebuilding a Life after slavery
Discover the little-known story of John Brown, in this new showcase display outside the Collections Discovery Centre.
Brown was a formerly enslaved Black man, who lived in Dorchester in the 1860s, working as a herbalist. Born into slavery in Virginia, USA around 1811, Brown, who never knew his family name, was separated from his family as a young child. Brown faced significant trauma whilst he was enslaved. Through resilience and ...
01 June 2024
Tudor Rebellions Study Day at Athelhampton
Athelhampton House & Gardens,
Dorchester, Dorset
Learn more about Tudor history, with talks at Athelhampton by Nathen Amin, Melita Thomas, Dr Nicola Tallis and Juliet Braidwood, followed by a tour of Athelhampton House
22 June 2024
Athelhampton - Peter Pan Outdoor Theatre
Athelhampton House & Gardens,
Dorchester, Dorset
Following the success of “The Wizard of Oz,” multi-award nominated Immersion Theatre invite you to soar away to Neverland as they proudly bring their trademark energy to their most magical musical to date, PETER PAN.
Get ready to think happy thoughts and fly high as the mischievous Peter embarks on an awfully big adventure, introducing the Darling children to the lost boys, the cheeky Tinkerbell, the hilarious Smee, and a host of other exciting characters before facing the most feared ...
29 June 2024
Athelhampton Producers, Growers & Makers Market
Athelhampton House & Gardens,
Dorchester, Dorset
We have invited a host of Dorset producers, growers and makers to sell their produce on Athelhampton's West lawn. The market is free to attend and is open to all to allow everyone the chance to purchase the finest products Dorset has to offer. Athelhampton House & Gardens will be open as well (normal admission charges apply).
It’s the perfect opportunity to shop for a wide selection of delicious products and artisan crafts. Grab a bite to eat and enjoy a tipple as you shop with local ...
19 July 2024
Athelhampton - Hamlet – The Lord Chamberlain’s Men
Athelhampton House & Gardens,
Dorchester, Dorset
Join The Lord Chamberlain’s Men this summer, in their 20th year, for Hamlet, the greatest play in the English language. With a history stretching back to William Shakespeare’s original company, they present this great play as he first saw it – in the open air, with an all male cast and Elizabethan costumes, music and dance.
This production is co-hosted with Dorchester Arts and tickets are available from their site only - CLICK HERE
“Something is rotten in the state of Denmark.”
Returning ...
19 Jul 2024 to 21 Jul 2024
Tolpuddle Martyrs Festival
Dorchester, Dorset
There has been an annual gathering to mark the story of the Tolpuddle Martyrs since 1930s. It began as a Sunday afternoon event with wreaths laid on the grave of James Hammett, followed by a procession of banners and speeches. Today, the annual event sees thousands of trade unionists from around the UK and the world descends on the small village of Tolpuddle in Dorset to celebrate the memory of the Tolpuddle Martyrs and the legacy they left behind.
The Tolpuddle Martyrs’ Festival ...
03 August 2024
Athelhampton - The Secret Garden, Outdoor Theatre
Athelhampton House & Gardens,
Dorchester, Dorset
Join Mary, Colin and Dickon as they tell you the story of their favourite place in the world - The Secret Garden.
A brand new re-imagining of the classic Frances Hodgson Burnett book brought to you by The Plandits. Suitable for anyone aged 6+ who loves literature and the great outdoors, this heartfelt, energetic show is full of original music, puppetry, interaction and laughs. As the three characters discover the transforming power of being active, the magic of nature and the joy of play, ...
03 August 2024
Dorset Food & Arts Festival Market
Dorchester, Dorset
The Dorset Food and Arts Festival is back on the menu, and ready to champion the best of Dorset and showcase a great line up of local food, drink, art, craft and community talent.
Join us on Saturday 3 August from 10 – 3 on the Great Field in Poundbury, as we bring together a FREE mini ‘pop-up’ festival market!
It’s the perfect opportunity to shop for a wide selection of delicious products and artisan crafts.
Grab a bite to eat and enjoy a tipple as you shop with local stallholders, ...
07 Sep 2024 to 08 Sep 2024
Dorset County Show
Dorchester, Dorset
A celebration of all things Dorset and the countryside.
Dedicated to superb family entertainment, showcasing agriculture, great shopping and so much more!
19 October 2024
Autumn Pop Up Producers, Growers & Makers Market
Athelhampton House & Gardens,
Dorchester, Dorset
We have invited a host of Dorset producers, growers and makers to sell their produce on Athelhampton's West lawn. The market is free to attend and is open to all to allow everyone the chance to purchase the finest products Dorset has to offer. Athelhampton House & Gardens will be open as well (normal admission charges apply).
It’s the perfect opportunity to shop for a wide selection of delicious products and artisan crafts. Grab a bite to eat and enjoy a tipple as you shop with local ...
28 Oct 2024 to 01 Nov 2024
Tudor Week - Living History at Athelhampton
Athelhampton House & Gardens,
Dorchester, Dorset
Visit Athelhampton, one of England's finest Tudor Manor Houses surrounded by stunning architectural gardens with the bonus of being able to join in this special Half Term Event.
Step back in time to 1580, and meet the Martyn family of Athelhampton at this living history event.
All levels of society from gentlefolk to servants will be around the house and gardens to talk with and learn from. Dedicated living historians take on the characters of the 16th-century owners of Athelhampton. ...
19 Jul 2024 to 03 Nov 2024
Wildlife Photographer of the Year
Dorchester, Dorset
Wildlife Photographer of the Year, the world-famous exhibition from the Natural History Museum, is returning to Dorset Museum & Art Gallery
Over 100 powerful photographs capture fascinating animal behaviour, spectacular species, and the breathtaking beauty of our planet. The images shine a light on stories and species from around the world and show the impact of human activity on the planet, in ways that words cannot.
Wildlife Photographer of the Year is the most prestigious ...
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The latest Dorchester articles from Resort Dorset are previewed below.
5 Apr 2024
Operation Overlord – D-DAY 80th Anniversary 6TH June 1944 – 6th June 2024.
This year sees the 80th anniversary of D-Day, and in commemorative events across the county, Dorset will be paying homage to the incredible bravery of allied troops who left South Coast ports and airfields for France on 6th June 1944.
On this momentous day, over 5,000 ships and landing craft carrying more than 150,000 troops descended on five Normandy beaches. The landings saw the start of ... Read more...
27 Feb 2024
Dorset’s Egg-stravaganza of Easter Activities!
The Easter holidays are upon us! Whether you’re visiting Dorset for a holiday or live here and want to explore more of your county, there’s never a shortage of places to go and activities for the kids – and big kids! – to get involved in. But what’s on?
Dorset is chock full of family-friendly attractions, and many will be hosting Easter Egg Hunts or other fun activities for kids to enjoy over ... Read more...
23 Jan 2024
So, it’s the half term and you may be wondering how you’re going to keep the kids entertained!
Well don’t worry, whether you are local resident or are staying in Dorset on a break, there’s lots to do throughout the seasons. Our Resort family has children of different ages and here are some of the things we plan to enjoy; perhaps you will too!
Fossil Hunting – Will you be the next person to find a Sea Rex? Who knows you may just discover the next ... Read more...
7 Nov 2023
Christmas is nearly here and there’s a fun way to get you in the festive spirit — by ice skating in Dorset!
Nothing beats wrapping up, getting your skates on and heading out to glide (or stumble) across the ice, before treating yourself to a delicious hot chocolate afterwards. Whether you’re a cling-to-the-side kind of skater or have a Torville and Dean style, ice skating is a fab activity for all and a great way to get together with friends and family to have ... Read more...
4 Nov 2023
‘Tis the season to be jolly, and you will be when you discover the fantastic selection of Christmas markets and festive fairs that are set to be held around Dorset in the coming weeks.
If you’re getting organised with your shopping, these events are a great way to find those perfect gifts; if delicious food and drink is on your wish list, then you’ll love the tasty selection available from local producers; or maybe you’d like a day out to get you in the ... Read more...
More articles available in the features section.
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