What's On in Dorset

Summer of Sport and Music at Castlepoint

Venue: Castlepoint Shopping Park

Website: www.castlepointshopping.com

Open air live screenings of sporting events and music festivals on the LED big screen. See the website and social media for event updates

Summer Holiday at Durlston

Venue: Durlston Country Park

Website: www.durlston.co.uk

Pirates of Purbeck Activity Trail, interactive displays, 340 acres of meadows, Wild Play - see website for full schedule

Treasures of the toolkit family quest

Venue: Corfe Castle

Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/dorset/corfe-castle

Hunt the castle ruins to learn about and collect the tools for your very own castle conservator toolkit

Summer Skate

Venue: Bournemouth Lower Gardens

Website: www.summerskate.co.uk

Roller rink, yoga and fitness, movie nights, live music

Wildlife Photographer Of The Year

Venue: Dorset Museum and Art Gallery

Website: www.dorsetmuseum.org

Exhibition with over 100 powerful photographs capturing fascinating animal behaviour, spectacular species and the beauty of our planet

Sumer Games at Corfe Castle

Venue: Corfe Castle

Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/dorset/corfe-castle

Discover a variety of games dotted around the ruins

Summer of Play at Brownsea Island

Venue: Brownsea Island

Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/dorset/brownsea-island

See who can build the best den, make some wild art and have a go at animal yoga poses

Summer of Play at Kingston Lacy

Venue: Kingston Lacy

Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/dorset/kingston-lacy

Explore the festival field of fun, dance at the the bug ball, put on a performance at the giant puppet theatre and find lots of games and activities and adventures as well as two wonderful play areas to...

Drop in craft activities at Rossmore

Venue: Rossmore Library

Website: https://www.bcpcouncil.gov.uk/libraries/find-a-library/rossmore-library

Be creative - weekly crafts

Summer Fun

Venue: Wimborne Library

Website: https://www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/libraries-history-culture/libraries/library-events/-/ddl_display/ddl/5277442/432965/maximized

Be Marvellous Makers and join in for weekly crafts, treasure hunts, fun with Lego, colouring and stories!

Summer Holiday: Inventions

Venue: The Tank Museum

Website: www.tankmuseum.org

Summer holiday fun with tank displays, kids' activities, new exhibition and more

Smugglers and Sandcastles: A Seaside Adventure

Venue: Museum of East Dorset

Website: www.museumofeastdorset.co.uk

Explore the fascinating world of smugglers and seaside fun with this exciting trail and activities including creating your own secret code, secret crafts and making your own treasure map

Family Activity Trail - Walking with the Elementals

Venue: Upton Country Park

Website: www.uptoncountrypark.com

Family activity trail with faerys, gnomes, elves, pixies and mermaid doors and houses

Smugglers and Sandcastles: A Seaside Adventure!

Venue: Museum of East Dorset

Website: www.museumofeastdorset.co.uk

Explore the fascinating world of smugglers and seaside fun with this exciting trail and activities including creating your own secret code, secreat crafts and making your own treasure map

Summer holidays at RockReef

Venue: Rock Reef

Address: Bournemouth Pier

Website: www.rockreef.co.uk

Indoor activities open from 10am every day. Visit the website to find out more about these and PierZip

Summer Holidays at RockReef

Venue: Bournemouth Pier

Website: www.rockreef.co.uk

Indoor activities open from 10am every day. Visit the website to find out more about these and PierZip

Drop-in craft activities at Branksome Library

Venue: Branksome Library

Website: https://www.bcpcouncil.gov.uk/libraries/find-a-library/branksome-library

Marvellous Makers treasure hunt

Drop-in craft activities at Canford Cliffs

Venue: Canford Cliffs Library

Website: https://www.bcpcouncil.gov.uk/libraries/find-a-library/canford-cliffs-library

Give Peas a Chance - make your own veg patch card

Bournemouth Air Festival

Venue: Lulworth Castle House

Website: www.heritageopendays.org.uk

Packed programme of world-class aerobatic displays with entertainment for all ages including fairground rides, Pier to Pier trading, fireworks, vintage displays and demonstrations from the Armed Forces...

Purbeck International Music Festival

Venue: Various venues

Website: www.picmf.org

Music festival taking place in historic locations, churches, unusual sites and schools - see website for schedule

Quiet at the Aquarium

Venue: SeaLife Weymouth

Website: www.visitsealife.com/weymouth

Discover a range of fascinating creatures from sharks to seahorses while the centre is quieter to create a more enjoyable experience for sensory sensitivities

Illyria: the Gondoliers

Venue: Bridport Millenium Green

Website: www.bridport-arts.com

Evening of laughter, music and pure entertainment

B-Side Arts Festival

Venue: Portland

Website: www.b-side.org.uk

Arts festival - see the website for details

Classic and Steam Vehicle Show

Venue: Swanage Railway

Website: www.bppcltd.com

Varied selection of vintage, modern and custom motorbikes, classic cars and more - children go free

Swanage Folk Festival

Venue: Swanage

Website: www.swanagefolkfestival.com

Weekend of fun with concerts, dance, music, workshops, children's activities, sessions and ceilidh

The Merry Wives of Windsor

Venue: Maumbury Rings

Website: www.dorchesterarts.org.uk

Open air performance of Shakespeare's classic play

Autumn Plant and Gardening Fair

Venue: Forde Abbey and Gardens

Website: www.fordeabbey.co.uk

Stalls and craftspeople - see website for details. Children up to the age of 15 go free

Bournemouth Vegan Festival

Venue: Citygate Church,

Address: Bournemouth

Website: www.veganeventsuk.co.uk/dorset-vegan-festival

60+ stalls, world food caterers, exciting cookery demos, inspirational talks, interactive workshops, yoga and children's activities

Bridport Hat Festival

Venue: Bridport

Website: www.bridporthatfest.org

Fun Hat Competition, mass hatted photo, live music and more

Dorset County Show

Venue: Dorchester Showground

Website: www.dorsetcountyshow.co.uk

Two day event showcasing Dorset agriculture, countryside and rural life

Dorset Seafood Festival

Venue: Weymouth Peninsula

Website: www.dorsetseafood.com

Food and drink festival with chef's theatre, live music and family fun

Westbourne Farmers and Makers Market

Venue: Landseer Road

Address: Westbourne, Bournemouth

Website: www.facebook.com/westbournefarmersandmakersmarket

Local producers, makers and bakers

Open Garden at Sheepwash Barn

Venue: Symondbury

Address: Bridport

Website: www.findagarden.ngs.org.uk

Open event at this half acre garden - kids go free - see website

Dear Zoo

Venue: Lighthouse Poole

Website: www.lighthousepoole.co.uk

Stage adaptation of the classic children's book with puppets, music and lots of audience interaction

Heritage Open Day at Highcliffe Castle

Venue: Highcliffe Castle

Website: www.highcliffecastle.co.uk

Visit Highcliffe Castle for free

Heritage Open Days - Lulworth Castle House

Venue: Lulworth Castle House

Website: www.heritageopendays.org.uk

Visit the Weld Family home in the grounds of Lulworth Castle - the Entrance Hall and Drawing Room will be open to view - the gardens are not open

Berwick St John Country Fayre

Venue: Berwick St John Country Fayre

Website: www.berwickstjohncountryfayre.co.uk

Country show - see the website for details

Family kayak taster session

Venue: Weymouth Outdoor Education Centre

Website: www.facebook.com/weymouthoec

Try the sit on top kayaks in the sandy shallows of Sandsfoot Beach, Weymouth with an experienced and friendly instructor to help guide you. £20pp - to 5pm

Family Paddleboard taster

Venue: Weymouth Outdoor Education Centre

Website: www.facebook.com

Test your balance on the inflatable stand-up paddleboards in the calm waters of Portland Harbour or Weymouth Bay with an experienced and friendly instructor to help guide you. £20pp, 10am to 1pm, minimum...

Family paddleboard taster

Venue: Weymouth Outdoor Education Centre

Website: www.facebook.com/weymouthoec

Test your balance on the inflatable stand up paddleboards in the calm waters of Portland Harbour or Weymouth Bay with an experienced and friendly instructor to help guide ou. £20pp 10am to 1pm - minimum...

Films & Fun: Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs

Venue: Lighthouse Poole

Website: www.lighthousepoole.co.uk

Screening of the much-loved animated fun

Gillingham and Shaftesbury Agricultural Show

Venue: Turnpike Showground

Website: www.gillinghamandshaftesburyshow.co.uk

Livestock events, craft and countryside area, Heavy Horse village, showjumping, agriculture, food and drink area, stalls and more

Heritage Open Days - Corfe Festival of Cultural Heritage

Venue: Corfe Castle

Website: www.heritageopendays.org.uk

Free entry to the castle for all visitors, hands-on demonstrations from local craftspeople, stalls, talks and displays

Seafood and Sounds Festival

Venue: Poole Old Town and Quay

Website: www.seafoodandsounds.co.uk

Free to attend event with premium seafood and live music. See website for details of the lineup

South West Model Show

Venue: Tank Museum

Website: www.tankmuseum.org

See and buy models with indoor and outdoor trders and displays, sci-fi and more with specialist talks and tours

Sturminster Newton Cheese Festival

Venue: Sturminster Newton

Website: www.cheesefestival.co.uk

Artisan food, cheese, live music and more

Vintage Weekend

Venue: Wimborne Model Town

Website: www.wimborne-modeltown.com

See the website for details

Vintage Weekend

Venue: Wimborne Model Town

Website: www.wimborne-modeltown.com

See the website for details

Heritage Open Days - The Keep Military Museum

Venue: The Keep

Website: www.heritageopendays.org.uk

Free admission to the Keep with a brand new guide to the building itself, a new children's trail and craft activities

Ironman 70.3 Weymouth

Venue: Weymouth

Website: www.ironman.com

Series of long distance triathlon races - see website for spectator information

Peter Pan

Venue: Lighthouse Poole

Website: www.lighthousepoole.co.uk

New retelling of the classic novel with original live music and song

Apple Weekend

Venue: The Ancient Technology Centre

Website: www.ancienttechnologycentre.com

Celebration of the apple harvest, apple pressing, rural craft displays and more

Cirque: The Greatest Show

Venue: Bournemouth Pavilion

Website: www.bournemouthpavilion.co.uk

Show with musical theatre showstoppers and jaw-dropping circus

Early Bird Walk and Breakfast

Venue: Brownsea Island

Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/dorset/brownseaisland

Be led on a wander around the island, lakes and lagoon followed by a breakfast. Booking essential.

Wessex Heavy Horse Show and Country

Website: www.wessexheavyhorsesociety.co.uk

Heavy horse themed show with lots of activities - see website for details

30% off Oceanarium memberships

Venue: Oceanarium

Address: Bournemouth

Website: www.oceanarium.co.uk

See the website for details

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 Crafts at Broadstone Library

Website: www.bcpcouncil.gov.uk/libraries

Craft activities

Easter Crafts at Canford Heath Library

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

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