Primary Times - the definitive what’s on and where to go family guide of activities and events for children of primary school age. Things to do with your kids during the school holidays including arts and craft activities, music and theatre for children, parties, competitions, days out, and family attractions along with term time drama schools, dance classes, after school clubs and sports activities. Things to do at a place near you!
What's On in Dorset
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Pliosaur the Terrifying Sea Rex
1st-2nd January 2026
Venue: Museum of Jurassic Marine Life - The Etches Collection
Website: www.theetchescollection.org/giant-sea-monster
See the amazing Pliosaur skull discovery and learn more aobut how it lived, hunted and died in the Jurassic seas of Kimmeridge
Giant Sea Monster
1st-1st January 2026
Venue: The Etches Collection
Website: www.theetetchescollection.org
See the Pliosaur skull discovery and learn more about how it lived, hunted and died
Purbeck Art Weeks Festival
24th May-8th June 2025
Venue: Various locations
Website: www.purbeckartweeksfestival.co.uk
Festival showcasing Purbeck's artistic talent featuring open studios, exhibitions, concerts, performances and talks bringing together local artists, international talent and the wider community
Dorset Art Weeks
25th May-9th June 2025
Venue: Various locations
Website: www.dorsetartweeks.co.uk
Over 250 venues as well as activities and exhibitions celebrating the best of fine art, craft and making across the county
Open Garden: Annahal's Gallery
25th May-22nd June 2025
Venue: Christchurch
Website: www.findagarden.ngs.org.uk
Open garden - children free
Weymouth Regatta
31st May-11th June 2025
Venue: Weymouth Pavilion
Website: www.weymouthregatta.uk
See the website for details
DYT Juniors and Young Companies Double Bill
5th-6th June 2025
Venue: Dorchester Corn Exchange
Website: www.dorchesterarts.org.uk
See the website for details
Exeter Comedy Festival
5th-8th June 2025
Venue: Various locations
Website: www.exetercomedyfestival.com
Comedy festival including a children's line-up - see the website for details
Sixpence Day
5th-5th June 2025
Venue: Russell Cotes Art Gallery and Museum
Website: www.russellcotes.com/event/sixpence-day
Entry on this day will be free but they welcome any donation of 6p or more
Adventure Cinema: The Greatest Showman
6th-6th June 2025
Venue: Saltram
Website: www.adventurecinema.co.uk
Outdoor screening of the much-loved musical film
Comedy Club 4 Kids
7th-7th June 2025
Venue: Theatre Alibi, Emmanuel Hall Exeter
Website: www.exetercomedyfestival.com
Stand-ups, sketch acts and cabaret stars for children aged 6+
Concert: The Fairy Queen for Purbeck Art Weeks Festival
7th-7th June 2025
Venue: Carey's Secret Garden
Website: www.purbeckartweeksfestival.co.uk/events
Picnic style performance with music, fairies and scenery and props makde by local primary school children
Mark Watson Tried To Impress Kids for Some Reason
7th-7th June 2025
Venue: Theatre Alibi, Emmanuel Hall Exeter
Website: www.exetercomedyfestival.com
See the website for details
Netherbury Open Gardens
7th-8th June 2025
Venue: Netherbury Village
Website: www.opengardens.co.uk
See gardens opening together over one weekend
Olaf Falafel's Stupidest Super Stupid Show (So Far)
7th-7th June 2025
Venue: Tiverton Community Arts Theatre
Website: www.tivertontheatre.com
Family friendly comedy show
Peppa Meets The Baby Cinema Experience
7th-7th June 2025
Venue: Electric Palace
Website: www.electricpalace.org.uk
10 new episodes and 6 brand new songs and music videos
Quiet Morning at The Tank Museum
7th-7th June 2025
Venue: The Tank Museum
Website: www.tankmuseum.org
Quiet morning event aimed at anyone who would appreciate a calmer visit to the Museum. From 9am to 11am all sounds and interactives will be turned off to reduce sensory input
Shelf: The Kids Show
7th-7th June 2025
Venue: Theatre Alibi, Emmanuel Hall Exeter
Website: www.exetercomedyfestival.com
Kids comedy show with sketches, songs, pranks and silliness
Signals of the Sea
7th-7th June 2025
Venue: Pavilions Teignmouth
Website: www.pavilionsteignmouth.org.uk
Interactive family show about harmony, hardship and hope
Summerfest 2025
7th-7th June 2025
Venue: Redlands Sports Hall, Weymouth
Website: www.facebook.com/events/redlands-leisure-community-park
Packed day of live music, fairground attractions, football tournament, hot air balloon rides, classic car displays and demonstrations raising money for Weldmar Hospice and the Front Skatepark
West Moor Farm Fest
7th-7th June 2025
Venue: Gullivers Farm Shop
Website: www.gulliversfarmshop.couk
Music, food and family activities
Abbotsbury Plant Fair
8th-8th June 2025
Venue: Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens
Website: www.abbotsburygardens.co.uk
Over 25 specialist nurseries, growers and more
Free Summer Afternoon concert with Weymouth Concert Brass
8th-8th June 2025
Venue: Greenhill Gardens
Website: www.weymouthtowncouncil.gov.uk
Musical performance
Marcel Lucont: Les Enfants Terribles - A Gameshow for Awful Children
8th-8th June 2025
Venue: Theatre Alibi, Emmanuel Hall Exeter
Website: www.exetercomedyfestival.com
Family gameshow
Open Farm Sunday 2025
8th-8th June 2025
Venue: Various locations
Website: www.farmsunday.org
Return of the annual event - see the website for local events
Park to Pier Walk
8th-8th June 2025
Venue: Swanage Pier
Website: www.swanagepiertrust.com
Guided walk from Dulston Castle to Swanage Pier learning about wildlife, geology and history
The Spencer Jones Experimental Kids Show
8th-8th June 2025
Venue: Theatre Alibi, Emmanuel Hall Exeter
Website: www.exetercomedyfestival.com
Comedy show for kids
Open Garden - Broomhill
9th-8th June 2025
Venue: Dorchester
Website: www.findagarden.ngs.org.uk
Open garden - children free
Charity Open Day for National garden Scheme
11th-11th June 2025
Venue: Carey's Secret Garden
Website: www.careyssecretgarden.co.uk
See the website for detilas
The Harmony Festival
11th-14th June 2025
Venue: St Mary's Church, Dorchester
Website: www.artattheduchess.com
Event supporting wEldmar Hospicecare with floral splendour, vibrant art and music events
Nature Walk for Children
12th-12th June 2025
Venue: St Mary's Church, Sturminster Newton
Walk aimed at children age 5 to 13 going through Sturminster Newton with a talk about conservation and nature writing exercise
Pirates Love underpants
12th-12th June 2025
Venue: Lighthouse Poole
Website: www.lighthousepoole.co.uk
Stage show of the much-loved book with music, puppetry and glittering patns of gold
Bridport Food Festival
14th-14th June 2025
Venue: Bridport
Website: www.bridportfoodfestival.com
Food festival event promoting the food and drink offerings of Bridport and the surrounding areas
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
14th-14th June 2025
Venue: Pavilion Dance South West
Website: www.pdsw.org.uk
Award-winning youth theatre musical production based on the film and novel from Unite Youth Tehatre
Circus skills with Fiery Jack
14th-15th June 2025
Venue: Corfe Castle
Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/dorset/corfe-castle
Varied programme of circus skills and workshops - see the website for line-up
Harry Paye Day
14th-14th June 2025
Venue: Poole Quay
Website: www.facebook.com/events/poole-quay
See the website for details
Jane Austen: Down to the Sea
14th June-14th September 2025
Venue: Dorset Museum
Website: www.dorsetmuseum.org
Exhibiton exploring the sea as a setting for Jane Austen's ficitonal worlds and its influence on her
Lyme Regis Fossil Festival
14th-16th June 2025
Venue: Lyme Regis
Website: www.fossilfestival.com
See the website for the full programme
Macmillan Caring Locally Summer Fete
14th-14th June 2025
Venue: Christchurch Hospital
Website: www.macmillanlocal.org
Fun-filled fundraising day with lots of games, stalls and activities
Bournemouth 5K/10K
15th-15th June 2025
Venue: The Seafront
Website: www.raceforlife.cancerresearch.org
Races raising funds for Cancer Research
Father's Day at Monkey World
15th-15th June 2025
Venue: Monkey World
Website: www.monkeyworld.org
Dads get 50% off entry at Monkey World on Father's Day. Book online
Little Women
17th-21st June 2025
Venue: Theatre Royal Plymouth
Website: www.theatreroyal.com
Adaptation of the classic story recommended for ages 10+ with accessible performances available
Pride and Prejudice
17th-17th June 2025
Venue: Hartland Abbey
Website: www.theploughartscentre.co.uk
Performance of the classic story from Illyria
Bands for Bravery Music and Family Festival
20th-22nd June 2025
Website: www.hhvuk.org
Live music, family fun zone, food stalls, displays, traders and the opportunity to camp
BCD Pro Wrestling Live
20th-20th June 2025
Venue: The allendale
Website: www.theallendale.org
Live, high impact, family friendly professional wrestling action
The Wind In The Willows
20th-20th June 2025
Venue: Castle Drogo
Website: www.theploughartscentre.co.uk
Open air staging of the classic story
Autism Friendly Day
21st-21st June 2025
Venue: Monkey World
Website: www.monkeyworld.org
Monkey World opens an hour early at 9am, exclusively for visitors with autism and their families. Sensory trails, a calm room and drop in room for support to esnure that Monkey World is a great day out...
Chesil Rocks at the Pavilion
21st-21st June 2025
Venue: Weymouth Pavilion
Website: www.weymouthpavilion.com
Event raising funds for Samaritans with a diverse range of acts, activities, food and drinks
Swanage Fish and Food Festival
21st-22nd June 2025
Venue: Swanage
Website: www.swanfishfest.com
Food festival with crafting, art and food specialist artisans, gourment foods, dedicated children's area and more
Weymouth Armed Forces Weekend 2025
21st-21st June 2025
Venue: Weymouth
Website: www.weymouthtowncouncil.gov.uk/weymouth-armed-forces
See the website for the schedule of events
Open Garden - Holme Hale Hall
22nd-22nd June 2025
Venue: Thetford
Website: www.findagarden.ngs.org.uk
Open garden - children free
Open Garden - Western Gardens
22nd-22nd June 2025
Venue: Poole
Website: www.findagarden.ngs.org.uk
Open Garden - children free
Wind in the Willows
22nd-22nd June 2025
Venue: Torre Abbey
Website: www.torre-abbey.org.uk
Outdoor performance from Immersion Theatre with interaction, stunning costumes, music and larger-than-life characters
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat
24th-28th June 2025
Venue: Theatre Royal Plymouth
Website: www.theatreroyal.com
production of the multi award-winning show suitable for ages 3+ with accessible performances avaialble on selected dates
Open Garden - Horn Park
24th-24th June 2025
Venue: Beaminster
Website: www.findagarden.ngs.org.uk
Open garden - children free
Bridwell Artisans Makers Market
27th June-5th July 2025
Venue: Budleigh Salterton
Website: www.budleighmusicfestival.co.uk
See the website for the full line-up
Roads to Rail Steam Rally
27th-27th June 2025
Venue: Swanage Railway
Website: www.swanagerailway.couk
Family-friendly steam rally with exhibitions, stalls and steam
Tankfest 2025
27th-29th June 2025
Venue: The Tank Museum
Website: www.tankmuseum.org
World's biggest live display of historic armour, living history and more
A Midsummer Nights Dream
28th-28th June 2025
Venue: Lapford Mill
Website: www.theploughartscentre.co.uk
Open air theatre performance from Sun and Moon Theatre
Aladdin Jr
28th-28th June 2025
Venue: Barnfield Theatre
Website: www.exeternorthcott.co.uk
Production based on the film and Broadway show presented by Theatretrain Exeter
Our Golden Bird
28th-28th June 2025
Venue: The Plough Arts Centre
Website: ww.theploughartscentre.co.uk
Performance from the PYT Infant Group
Shake and Stir Vintage Fest
28th-29th June 2025
Venue: Southbourne
Website: www.facebook.com/shakeandstirvintagefest
Live music and entertainment with a vintage theme
As You Like It
29th-29th June 2025
Venue: Tiverton
Website: www.tivertontheatre.com
Outdoor performance of the Shakespeare play from Festival Players International
The Adventures of Alice
29th-29th June 2025
Venue: Palace Theatre
Website: www.palacetheatrepaignton.co.uk
Performance presented by The Wendy Sandercock Academy of Dance
As You Like It
30th-30th June 2025
Venue: Baggy Point
Website: www.theploughartscentre.co.uk
Open air performance by the Festival Players
Young Purbeck Musicians in Concert
30th-30th June 2025
Venue: Methodist Church, High Street, Swanage
Website: www.purbeckartweeksfestival.co.uk
Celebrate the abilities of local younger musicians, together with school groups and inter-school instrumental and vocal ensembles
Summer at Monkey World
1st July-31st August 2025
Venue: Monkey World
Website: www.monkeyworld.org
Celebrate summer at Monkey World with activities, themed weeks and the Children's Activity Centre open daily for crafts, fun and learning
TOADS Presents Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
2nd-2nd July 2025
Venue: Princess Theatre
Website: www.atgtickets.com/princess-theatre-torquay
Musical production of the classic Roald Dahl
Upton Country Park Festival
4th-5th July 2025
Venue: Upton Country Park
Website: www.uptoncountrypark.com
Tribute acts- see website for line-up
Open Garden - the Old Rectory, Litton Cheney
6th-6th July 2025
Venue: Litton Cheney
Website: www.findagarden.ngs.org.uk
Open garden - children free
Robin Hood
6th-6th July 2025
Venue: Dorchester Corn Exchange
Website: www.dorchesterarts.org.uk
Hilariously adventurous take on the famous story from The Pantaloons
Dorset Volksfest
11th-13th July 2025
Venue: Wareham
Website: www.dorsetvolksfest.co.uk
Weekend of family entertainment with music, street food and free things for kids to do
Swanage Jazz Festival
11th-13th July 2025
Venue: Swanage
Website: www.swanagejazzfestival.co.uk
See website for programme details
The Rustic Stomp 2025
11th-13th July 2025
Venue: Knoll Farm
Website: www.rusticstomp.co.uk
Festival celebrating Americana Music and culture. Free entries to under 16s
Weymouth Beach Rugby and Netball Festival
11th-13th July 2025
Venue: Weymouth Beach
Website: www.weymouthbeachrugbyfest.co.uk
See the website for the schedule
Food and Drink Festival at Corfe Castle
12th-13th July 2025
Venue: Corfe Castle
Website: www.corfecastle.co.uk
Two day festival showcasing locally produced food and drink in the South Dorset area
Jurassic Fields Music Festival
12th-14th July 2025
Venue: West Bay Fields, Nr Broomhill Farm, Bridport
Website: www.jurassicfields.com
3 day family friendly festival
Monkey World's Chimpanzee recognition week
12th-20th July 2025
Venue: Monkey World
Website: www.monkeyworld.org
Celebrate the anniversary of the rescue of the first chimps at Monkey World, and World Chimp Day. Visitors can learn more about their closest living relatives through stalls, displays, games and activities
Bin Rat!
13th-13th July 2025
Venue: Lapford Mill
Website: www.theploughartscentre.co.uk
Open air performance
Dog Show at The Walled Garden Moreton
13th-13th July 2025
Venue: The Walled Garden Moreton
Website: www.walledgardenmoreton.co.uk
Day of family fun, delicious food and prizes to celebrate your canine companions
Obscure Desires
13th-13th July 2025
Venue: Exeter Phoenix
Website: www.exeterphoenix.org.uk
Visually stunning journey through the depths of human emotion - told through jaw-dropping acrobatics, live music and powerful storytelling
Way of the wild - Bushcraft taster sessions
30th-30th July 2025
Venue: Brownsea Island
Hands-on bushcraft experience - see the website for details
Protest
5th-9th March 2024
Venue: Theatre Royal Plymouth
Website: https://theatreroyal.com/whats-on/protest/
For ages 7+. Running is Alice’s happy place – you might even say it’s in her DNA. She’s the best runner at her school but is struggling to prove her worth. Jade is slowly coming to realise that...
30% off Oceanarium memberships
Venue: Oceanarium
Address: Bournemouth
Website: www.oceanarium.co.uk
See the website for details
Attenborough's Giant Sea Monster - Sea Rex
Venue: The Etches Collection
Website: www.theetchescollection.org/giant-sea-monster
Pliosaur Skull Discovery - see the amazing creature and learn more about how it lived, hunted and died in the Jurassic seas of Kimmeridge 150 years ago
Beautiful Bournemouth Mini Exhibition
Venue: Russell Cotes Museum
Website: www.russellcotes.com
Discover the evolution of Bournemouth through this display in the Print Room
Easter Hunt at Moors Valley Country Park
Venue: Moors Valley Country Park
Website: www.moors-valley.co.uk/easter
Find the hidden giant Easter egg shapes around Moors Valley - solve the riddles, spot the eggs and write down the letters to work out the hidden answer
Fantazy
Venue: Babbacombe Theatre
Website: www.babbacombe-theatre.com
Variety show with comedy, illusion, vocalists and dance
Pieces of our Past
Venue: Highcliffe Castle
Website: www.highcliffecastle.co.uk
Experience the history of the Castle with never before seen photographs and artefacts
Rebellion and Revolt
Venue: Museum of East Dorset
Website: www.museumofeastdorset.co.uk
Thought provoking exhibit delving into two pivotal national struggles that profoundly impacted Dorset: the English Civil War of the 1640s and the Monmouth Rebellion of 1685. Themed trail around the Museum,...
West Bay In The War
Venue: West Bay Discovery Centre
Website: www.westbaydiscoverycentre.org.uk
Discover what happened locally in WW2. Find out about local memories, coast defences and more