What's On in Dorset

Horrible Histories: Terrible Tudors/Awful Egyptians

Venue: Lighthouse Poole

Website: www.lighthousepoole.co.uk

Historical show featuring actors and eye-popping 3D special effects

Halloween Hunt

Venue: Moors Valley

Website: www.moors-valley.co.uk

Brand-new Halloween Hunt with clues, puzzles and plenty of seasonal surprises

Dorchester Literary Festival

Venue: Dorchester

Website: www.dorchesterliteraryfestival.com

See the website for full line-up

Professor Fizzle and the Brave Machine

Venue: Discovery Village Role Play Centre

Website: www.discoveryvillage.co.uk

Halloween adventure without the scare, entry into the role play village, live performer, LED play, treat for every child, special effects for every child, special effects and lighting

Bettty and the Yeti

Venue: Lighthouse Poole

Website: www.lighthousepoole.co.uk

Frosty tale of facing fear and finding friendship with puppetry

Forgotten Island

Venue: Plaza, Dorchester,

Website: www.dorchester.picturedromecinemas.co.uk

Screening of the new animated film

Spooky Crafts Creative Hands

Venue: The Ark Poole Park

Website: www.facebook.com/thearkpoolepark

Make spooky decorations, masks and more in this fun, hands-on workshop

Frightmare

Venue: Southside Funfair

Website: www.southsidefunfair.co.uk

Ghost train, Halloween activities, thrills, chills and family-friendly fun

Secret Fungi Festival

Venue: Carey's Secret Garden

Website: www.careyssecretgarden.co.uk

Weekend of talks, workshops, live music, family activities and a fungi themed market

Adventure Valley Land Rovers

Venue: Moors Valley

Website: www.moors-valley.co.uk

Exciting off-road journey in mini-electirc Land Rovers - for ages 3 to 10

Autumn Colours Weekend

Venue: Sherborne Castle

Website: ww.sherbornecastle.com

Reduced price entry to the acres of gardens and children's autumn pumpkin trail

Children's autumn pumpkin trail

Venue: Sherborne Castle and Gardens

Website: www.sherbornecastle.com

Follow the garden trail to find hidden pumpkins and solve clues to collect your prize

Coco

Venue: Lulworth Castle

Website: www.adventurecinema.co.uk/venues/lulworth-castle

Outdoor screening of the much-loved film

Curious Creatures

Venue: Stalbridge Hall

Website: www.artsreach.co.uk

Show featuring puppets, comedy, slapstick and live music - plus lots of natural history facts - recommended for ages 5+

Dorchester Book Festival

Venue: Dorchester Corn Exchange

Website: www.dorchesterliteraryfestival.com

Independent sellers with a variety of stock

Family Cinema: Flow

Venue: Lighthouse Poole

Website: www.lighthousepoole.co.uk

Screening of the Oscar-winning animated film with a free creative, film-themed workshop after each screening

Halloween Half Term - Ghostly Games

Venue: Abbotsbury Swannery

Website: www.abbotsburyswannery.co.u

Six ghoulish games hidden around the grounds

Halloween Specials - Little Play Studio

Venue: St Leonard's and St Ives Village Hall

Website: bookwhen.com/littleplaystudiodorset

Event with seasonal sensory play - suitable for ages 1 to 5

Halloween Spectacular

Venue: Wimborne Model Town and Gardens

Website: www.wimborne-modeltown.com

See the website for details

Hocus Pocus Spooktacular

Venue: Lulworth Castle

Website: www.adventurecinema.co.uk/venues/lulworth-castle

Open air screening of the classic Disney film with a specially curated Halloween soundtrack to enjoy before the film

Intergalactic Explorer Trail

Venue: Upton Country Park

Website: www.upweywishingwell.co.uk

Trail, including an out of this world cuddly prize

Live Zombie Launch

Venue: Weymouth

Website: www.weareweymouth.co.uk

See the website for details

Minterne Gardens Halloween Trail

Venue: Minterne Gardens

Website: www.minterne.co.uk

Explore the grounds and discover the hidden Halloween characters

October half term at Corfe Castle

Venue: Corfe Castle

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

New family quest and the arrival of the teddy bear zip wire

October Illuminate 2026

Venue: Abbotsbury Gardens

Website: www.abbotsburygardens.co.uk

Experience Illuminate early this year

Outalimits Family Halloween Parties

Venue: Canford Heath Community Centre

Website: https://buytickets.at/outalimitsdiscos

See the website to book tickets

Purbeck Film Festival - Arco

Venue: The Mowlem

Website: www.themowlem.com

Dubbed screening of the animated feature

Rock Reef Spooktober Half Term

Venue: Rock Reef, Bournemouth Pier

Website: www.rockreef.co.uk/october-half-term-in-bourneomouth

Book your adventure online and save money off your ticket price

Room on the Broom and The Gruffalo

Venue: Lulworth Castle

Website: www.adventurecinema.co.uk/venues/lulworth-castle

Outdoor screening of the animated adaptations

School holidays creation station

Venue: Upton Library

Website: www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/libraries-history-culture

Drop in crafts at the creation station. Activities will be self-led and available every open day from 10am to 1pm

Studland's Wicked Wildlife Trail

Venue: Studland Bay

Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/studland-bay

Check out the hidden heroes of Studland's nature as you build up your wizarding passport

The Creepy Circus

Venue: Weymouth

Website: www.weareweymouth.co.uk

Live actor trail that sees teams working their way around town centre businesses, solving spooky riddles and cryptic clues to crack the Circus' secret and "Save the Town"

The Haunted House and Spooky River Trail

Venue: The Upwey Wishing Well

Website: www.upweywishingwell.co.uk

Activity sheet to guide young explorers along the river trail and a Halloween treat upon completion. Tearoom open

Who Let the Dads Out

Venue: Streetlight Project

Website: www.streetlightproject.org.uk

Activities for dads, grandads, father figures and their kids

Wild Wetland Bird Walk

Venue: Brownsea Island

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

Experience the wonderful birdlife of Brownsea Island with our guided birdwatching walks - suitable for ages 8+

Apple Day

Venue: Symondsbury Estate

Website: www.symondsburyestate.co.uk

Celebration of apples, harvest and community spirit

Autumn half term

Venue: Lulworth Castle

Website: www.lulworth.com

New trail, autumn colour, sights and smells of the parkland, autumn themed display in the castle and family fun with the pumpkin themed games

Bridport Repair Café

Venue: Bridport Youth and Community Centre

Website: www.bridportandwestbay.co.uk

See the website for details

Bridport Vintage Market

Venue: St Michael's Trading Estate

Website: www.bridportandwestbay.co.uk

Antiques and vintage pieces

Diwali - The Festival of Lights at Corfe Castle

Venue: Corfe Castle

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

Performances, storytelling, crafts and food stalls

Highcliffe Castle: The Night Sky

Venue: Highcliffe Castle

Website: www.highcliffecastle.co.uk

Design a planet to add to the night sky scene,

Monster Toy Fair

Venue: Littledown, Bournemouth and Poole

Website: www.bhliveactive.org.uk/whats-on

Over 100 traders offering everything from now and preloved to rare and collectable toys

Once Upon a Rhyme

Venue: Wimborne DSME

Website: www.tivoliwimborne.co.uk

Brand-new children's show bringing nursery rhyme characters to life

Purbeck Film Festival - Little Amelie

Venue: The Mowlem

Website: www.themowlem.com

Dubbed screening of the animated feature

The Nightmare Before christmas

Venue: Lulworth Castle

Website: www.adventurecinema.co.uk/events/lulworth

Outdoor screening of the classic animation

Wimborne Model Railway Exhibition

Venue: Allendale Centre

Website: www.theallendale.org

Accompanied children go free, numerous operational layouts and more

Zombie Trail

Venue: Weymouth

Website: www.weymouthtowncouncil.gov.uk

See the website for details

Athelhampton House: Tudor Living History Week

Venue: Athelhampton House

Website: www.athelhampton.com

See the website for details

Brewery Scare 2026

Venue: Brewery Square

Website: www.brewerysquare.com

Free Halloween trail - search the hidden Halloween clues, cast your vote for the spookiest, silliest or most spectacular windows in the square then pop into your stores for a Trick or Treat surprise -...

Half Term at Laser Guys

Venue: Laser Guys

Website: www.laserguys.co.uk

Halloween Laser Tage Special, Halloween archery, spooky axe throwing and holiday club - see the website for details

Holiday Activities at the Junction

Venue: The Junction, YMCA Bournemouth

Website: www.thejunctionbroadstone.co.uk

See the website for the schedule

The B.E.N Halloween Show

Venue: The Barrington Arts and Community Centre

Website: www.barringtoncentre.co.uk

Fun packed show of thrills, giggles, music and mayhem

The Halloween Spooktacular

Venue: Barrington Arts and Community Centre

Website: www.

Family entertertianment for all ages

Bouncy Castle and the Lovely Bubbly Show

Venue: Rossmore Leisure Centre

Website: www.eventenergiser.co.uk

See the website for booking details

Clay Modelling Workshop

Venue: Lyme Regis Museum

Website: www.lymeregismuseum.co.uk

See the website for details

Family Halloween LEGO® Building Workshop

Venue: The Hub on the Heath

Website: www.facebook.com/littlebrickclubuk

Halloween themed workshop - see the website for booking details

Family LEGO® building Workshop

Venue: The Hub on the Heath

Website: www.pbbl.uk/4ytrmIL

Immersive brick experience with a Halloween theme

Glow Wonderland

Venue: The Hideout SoftPlay

Website: www.bookwhen.com/thehideoutevents

Child-led sensory play, soft play, storytime, sweet treat, gift of rlittle ones

Gruesome Tales for the Morbidly Curious

Venue: Corfe Castle

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

Join the spooky storytellers to discover the fates of horrible heroes, vile villains, pestilent peasant and the occasional talking horse

Halloween Specials - Little Play Studio

Venue: Hideout Soft Play

Website: https://bookwhen.com/thehideoutevents

Child-led sensory play, soft play, storytime, sweet treat, gift of rlittle ones

Kids Halloween LEGO Building Workshop - Arcado Lounge

Venue: Arcado Lounge

Website: www.facebook.com/littlebrickclubuk

Immersive LEGO experience for ages 6 to 14 - see the website for booking detials

50% off Family Day

Venue: Highcliffe Castle

Website: www.highcliffecastle.co.uk

Enjoy 50% off Castle admission - see the website for detals

Boo and Bounce with Spooky Disco Party

Venue: Ashdown Leisure Centre

Website: www.facebook.com/getupandbounce

Halloween Bouncy Castel and disco party

Halloween Holiday Club

Venue: Sandford Community Hall

Website: www.pottery-corner.co.uk

Halloween slime making, pottery painting, Halloween games, monster movies, best dressed and more

High School Musical on Stage

Venue: Regent, Christchurch

Website: www.theregent.co.uk

Performance based on the smash-hit movie from Artisan Theatre School

Kids Halloween LEGO Building Workshop - Hub on the Heath

Venue: The Hub on the Heath

Website: www.pbbl.uk/4ytrmIL

Workshop for ages 6 to 14

Little Monsters Make

Venue: The Hideout Soft Play

Website: https://bookwhen.com

Make your own plushie cushion, Halloween craft, sweet treat, soft play

Outalimits Family Halloween Parties

Venue: Kinson Community Centre

Website: https://buytickets.at/outalimitsdiscos

See the website to book tickets

Party Peeps on the Pier - Halloween party

Venue: Key West Bar and Restaurant

Website: www.grandpier.co.uk

Interactive family rave Halloween party

SEN Activity Morning Session

Venue: Ferndown Leisure Centre

Website: www.placesleisure.org

Fun-filled morning with swimming, floor based games and activities and a supportive and inclusive environment - limited spaces are available

Seriously Spooky Science

Venue: The Crafty Cuppa

Website: www.facebook.com/wishuponastarre

Halloween special - potions and slime, science experiments and activities

The Fairy Godmother and Glass Slipper Princess

Venue: The Upwey Wishing Well

Website: www.upweywishingwell.co.uk

Meet and greet with Fairy Godmother and Glass Slipper Princess, pumpkin glitter tattoos, sing and dance along and make pumpkin magic, photo opportunity, brunch

The Goose and Mrs Frost

Venue: Hinton Martell Vilalge Hall

Website: www.artsreach.co.uk

Gentle story for children and families featuring live action, puppetry and beautifully illustrated pop-up paper theatre

A Spooktacular Night at the Museuem

Venue: Lyme Regis Museum

Website: www.lymeregismuseum.co.uk

Spine-tingling evening of spooky stories, fossil forensics and creepy crafts

Brainiac Live

Venue: Lighthouse Poole

Website: www.lighthousepoole.co.uk

Family science show recommended for ages 5+

Family Nest Box Making Workshop

Venue: The Fine Foundation Wild Chesil Centre

Website: www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk

Workshop with all materials and tools provided - each child builds a nest box to take home

Outalimits Family Halloween Parties

Venue: Verwood Memorial Hall

Website: https://buytickets.at/outalimitsdiscos

See the website to book tickets

Playtime!

Venue: The Treehouse

Website: www.diverseabilities.org.uk/events

Opening of the soft play centre to everyone, helping to raise valuable funds for the charity

Autumn Family Event

Venue: Tumbledown, Weymouth

Website: www.weareweymouth.co.uk

See the website for details

Coppett Hill Pumpkin Party

Venue: Purcombe Barn, Whitchurch Canonicorum

Family Biofluorescence Experience in Nature

Venue: RSPB Arne

Website: www.events.rspb.org.uk/arne

Reveal creatures, plants and fungi that glow in the dark

Halloween at Wild Ones

Venue: Wild Ones

Halloween evneing with pumpkin carving, lots of spooky accessories to decorate your pumpkin, pizza buffet

Halloween Kids Party

Venue: Holey Moley Café

See website for booking details

Littledown Centre Halloween Disco

Venue: Littledown Centre

Website: www.bhliveactive.org.uk

Games, dance competitions, prize and disco fun for ages 2.5 to 8 years old

Plastic Drastic Fantastic

Venue: Bridport Arts Centre

Website: www.bridport-arts.com

Contemporary dance theatre for children aged 7+ and their families

Spooks by the Sea Parade and Trunk and Treat

Venue: Weymouth

Website: https://allevents.in/weymouth/spooks-by-the-sea-parade-and-trunk-n-treat

Facepainting, Halloween Parade and Trunk 'n' Treat extravaganza at Melcombe Regis Car park with spooky decorated cars, stilt walkers, activities, foo dnad drink

Spooky Bats with Upton Country Park

Venue: Corfe Mullen Library

Website: www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/libraries-history-culture

Discover the fascinating world of bats, learn bat facts and create your own bat to take home - suitable for ages 4 to 8 years

Steve Backshall: Deadly Live

Venue: Wild Ones

Website: www.deadlylivetour.com

Action-packed experience themed around some of the world's most formidable predators

Swanage Railway Halloween Ghost Trains

Venue: Swanage Railway

Website: www.swanagerailway.co.uk

Spooky surprises, Halloween characters and hands-on fun

Angus Wood Halloween Spooktacular

Venue: Angus Wood, Blandford Forum

Website: www.facebook.com/blandfordenvironmentaltrust

See the website for details

Balloon Madness Halloween Disco

Venue: Sturminster Marshall Memorial Hall

Music, games, dancing, bouncy castle, craft table, soft play and more

Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre - Craft and Fossil Fair

Venue: Charmouth Community Hall

Website: www.charmouth.org

Local crafts including handmade pottery, jewellery, paintings, home-baked cakes and produce and more as well as a chance to meet some of the expert local fossil collectors with hteir finds available to...

Dorset Team October Makers Market

Venue: Allendale Community Centre

Website: www.theallendale

Halloween Breakfast

Venue: Upwey Wishing Well

Website: www.upweywishingwell.co.uk

Special surprise meet and greet, Halloween fun dances and games, photo opporutnity, brunch

Halloween Spooktacular

Venue: Regent, Christchurch

Website: www.theregent.co.uk

Night of theatrical magic, toe-tapping music, high energy choreography with musical theatre perfromances

Haunted Harbour Cruise

Venue: Weymouth

Website: www.coastalvibescruises.com

2.5 hours of family-friendly frights and thrills with face painting, spooky disco classics and food on the boat ride

Jungle Cub Presents: Halloween Spooktacular

Venue: Bomo House

Website: www.facebook.com/junglecub

Family rave event with full Halloween décor, club lighting, entertainers, confetti cannons, treats and prizes

Littledown Miniature Railway Halloween Special

Venue: Littledown Miniature Railway

Website: www.littledownrailway.org.uk

See the website for details

Lyme Regis Halloween Duck Race

Venue: Lyme Regis

Website: www.lymeduckrace.co.uk

Race starts from Woodmead Road Bridge - see website to purchase duck

Monster Mash Disco

Venue: Redhill Park Café

Website: www.facebook.com/redhillparkcafe

Music, games, food and drinks

Purbeck Film Festival - Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit

Venue: The Mowlem

Website: www.themowlem.com

Screeening of the classic Aarndman film - family ticket offer and free cheese and bisuits

Spooktacular Kids Halloween Disco

Venue: The Cumberland

Website: www.cumberlandbournemouth.co.uk

Afternoon full of music and dancing

Spoooookfest

Venue: Ashdown Leisure Centre

Website: www.facebook.com/getupandbounce

Themed interactive activities - event recommended for ages 2 to 10

The Cumberland Hotel Kids Halloween Disco

Venue: The Cumberland Hotel

Website: www.cumberlandbournemouth.co.uk

Afternoon of music and msuic and dancing for ages 4 to 12

Verwood Flameburst

Venue: "The Fuzzy Bit" Verwood

Website: www.flameburst.co.uk

Fairground entertainment, firework displays and bonfire

West Bay Fireworks

Venue: West Bay

Website: www.westbay.co.uk

Bonfire night with fireworks by the beack

Wimborne DSME Halloween Special

Venue: Wimborne District Society of Model Engineers

Website: www.wimbornedsme.co.uk

See the website for details

Ringwood Grand Fireworks

Venue: Ringwood

Website: www.ringwood.gov.uk

More information to be announced

Bonfire Night Fireworks

Venue: Weymouth

Website: www.weareweymouth.co.uk

More information to be made available

Free Firework Night on Poole Quay

Venue: Poole

Website: www.pooletourism.com

See the website for details

Bonfire and Fireworks at Melbury House

Venue: Melbury House

Website: www.abbotsburygardens.co.uk

Evening of bonfire, fireworks and family fun under the stairs

Bridport Literary Festival

Venue: Bridport

Website: www.bridlit.com

See the website for more details

Katzeye: The Tribute Experience

Venue: Bournemouth Pavilion

Website: www.bournemouthpavilion.co.uk

See the website for details

Bournemouth Fireworks

Venue: Littledown

Website: www.bhliveactive.org.uk/whats-on

Evening of fireworks, pyrotechnics, live entertainment and family fun

Bridport Literary Festival - Laurence Anholt: Small Stories of Great Artists

Venue: Lyric Theatre

Website: www.bridlit.com

See the website for details

Bridport Literary Festival - Vivian French: Trouble in Ogreville

Venue: Lyric Theatre

Website: www.bridlit.com

See the website for details - recommended for ages 6 to 11

Bridport Literary Festival: Holly Miller - Puppet Making Drop-in

Venue: Lyric Theatre

Website: www.bridlit.com

Create your own puppet with the Lyric's Theatre's in-house puppet-maker Holly Miller

Bridport Literary Festival: Illustration Drop-in

Venue: Lyric Theatre

Website: www.bridlit.com

Develop your own drawing with an expert illustrator

Bridport Literary Festival: Jasbinder Bilan - Girl with a Sabretooth Tiger

Venue: Lyric Theatre

Website: www.bridlit.com

See the website for details - recommended for ages 8+

Briport Literary Festival - The Great KidLit Draw Off

Venue: Lyric Theatre

Website: www.bridlit.com

See the website for details

Dorset Winter Food and Drink Fair

Venue: Athelhampton

Website: www.athelhampton.com

Celebration of Dorset's finest food, drink and crafts

Lyme Regis Fireworks Display

Venue: Marine Parade, Lyme Regis

Website: www.lovelymeregis.co.uk

Watch the fireworks and they light up the sky over the harbour. Free to attend with cash with donation encouraged

Quiet Opening

Venue: Dorset Museum and Art Gallery

Website: www.dorsetmuseum.org

Explore the museum and take part in drop-in activities

Wifi Wars

Venue: Lighthouse Poole

Website: www.lighthousepoole.co.uk

Interactive comedy game show recommended for ages 6+

Paint and Play

Venue: The Treehouse

Website: www.diverseabilities.org.uk

Create a reusabel advent calendar and enjoy some time in the soft play

Remembrance Sunday at Ringwood

Venue: Ringwood

Website: www.ringwood.gov.uk

Various services and parade

Remembrance Sunday Parade and Service

Venue: Lyme Regis

Website: www.lovelymeregis.co.uk

See the website for details

Bournemouth Christmas Tree Wonderland

Venue: Bournemouth

Website: www.christmasinbournemouth.co.uk/xmas-tree-wonderland

See the website for details

Bridport Arts and Crafts Markets

Venue: Bridport WI Hall

Website: www.bridportandwestbay.co.uk

Local creators and artisans

English Youth Ballet - The Nutcracker

Venue: Lighthouse Poole

Website: www.lighthousepoole.co.uk

Magical production of the classic Ballet

Highlands End Makers Market

Venue: Martin's Bar and Restaurant, Highland's End Holiday Park

Website: www.bridportandwestbay.co.uk

Local artists, craftspeople, photographers, bakers, makers and more

Home Education Days

Venue: Monkey World

Website: www.monkeyworld.org

Exclusively for home educated children and their families including a variety of activities, plus you will have access to Monkey World for the whole day, including a tour of the park, enrichment workshop...

Winter Brocante

Venue: Garden Marquee and Halls, Larmer Tree Gardens

Website: www.larmertreee.co.uk

40 artisan, vintage and French Brocante exhibitors offering homewares, Christmas gifts and decorations and more

Big League Wrestling: End Game

Venue: Weymouth Pavilion

Website: www.weymouthpavilion.com

Wrestling show -see the website for details

Family Cinema: Early Man

Venue: Lighthouse Poole

Website: www.lighthousepoole.co.uk

Screening of the stop-motion Aardman feature including a free creative, film-themed workshop after each screening

The Magic Behind the Curtain

Venue: Allendale Centre

Heartwarming musical journey from Wimborne Musical Theatre Society

Sing a Song of Someone

Venue: The Barrington Centre

Website: www.barringtoncentre.co.uk

All-singing, all-dancing production

Compton Acres Christmas Market

Venue: Compton Acres

Website: www.comptonacres.co.uk

Festive food and drinks and Christmas gifts from local makers and sellers

Winter Exhibition

Venue: Pamphill Village Hall

Website: www.wimborneartclub.org.uk

Art exhibition

Winter Light Trail

Venue: Poole

Website: www.uptoncountrypark.com

60 to 80 minute illuminated trail featuring stunning light installations, immersive isplays and festive moments along the way as an Alpine Village

Allendale Christmas Craft Fair

Venue: Allendale Centre

Website: www.theallendale.org

Quality craft items and gift ideas galore

Artisans on the Beach

Venue: Swanage

Website: www.facebook.com/artisansonthebeach

Local crafters on Swanage Sea Front Shore Beach Huts

Frozen Brunch

Venue: Upwey Wishing Well

Website: www.upweywishingwell.co.uk

Kids brunch and hot chocolate, brunch menu available for adults

Lyme Regis Christmas Lights Switch On

Venue: Broad Street, Lyme Regis

Website: www.lymechristmaslights.co.uk

See the website for timings including the Christmas Lantern workshop

Christmas Market

Venue: Littledown

Website: www.bhliveactive.org.uk

Up to 80 stalls offering a wide selection of handmade artisan gifts, Christmas crafts and seasonal treats