Find events in Dorset, from village fêtes and jumble sales to the county’s biggest shows, alongside theatre, live music, exhibitions, markets, talks, walks and family days out. The Dorset Life What’s On calendar brings together things to do across the county, with dates, locations and details to help you plan.

Hosting an event in Dorset? Add it to the calendar for free and share it with Dorset Life readers.

Please note: inclusion in the online calendar does not guarantee inclusion in the magazine, though a selection of events is featured each month.

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Events

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Today

  • A Few Crusted Characters

    Minterne House Minterne House and Gardens, Minterne Magna

    To celebrate their 20th year, the New Hardy Players bring Thomas Hardy’s famous series of short stories to Minterne House. Dorset's most celebrated author’s answer to ‘The Canterbury Tales’, this […]

    £10 – £15

  • A Few Crusted Characters

    Minterne House Minterne House and Gardens, Minterne Magna

    To celebrate their 20th year, the New Hardy Players bring Thomas Hardy’s famous series of short stories to Minterne House. Dorset's most celebrated author’s answer to ‘The Canterbury Tales’, this […]

    £10 – £45

  • HMS Heron

    Henstridge Church Henstridge

    Enjoy a fabulous evening of popular music by the renowned HMS Heron Band 

    £15

  • A Folk Song Walk

    John's Pond nr. Hangman's Cottage, Dorchester

    Join local folk singer Alastair Braidwood for walks in the countryside close to Dorchester, accompanied by traditional folk songs from Dorset and further afield. Explore a beautiful part of the […]

    £10

  • Semley Music Festival

    Church Green, Semley, SP7 9AS Church Green, Semley

    Bringing you the very best music, arts, crafts, food and drink from around the world to your doorstep.From dubstep and DJ sets to ceilidh and blues rock, we have it […]

  • Semley Music Festival

    Church Green, Semley, SP7 9AS Church Green, Semley

    A not-for-profit community music festival in rural Dorset, bringing together talented and innovative musicians from a range of genres. We have musicians - both local and global, emerging and established. […]

  • Swanage Jazz Festival

    The Mowlem Shore Road, Swanage

    The 34th Swanage Jazz Festival with 35 top quality bands in the ticketed programme from New Orleans to Contemporary Jazz plus a FREE Festival Fringe. Headline acts this year include […]

    £45 – £145

  • Spetisbury Station Project Summer Tea Party

    Spetisbury Spetisbury Station Project, off A350, Spetisbury, United Kingdom

    ‘Railway 200’ Summer Tea Party Sunday 13th July 2025 Join us at the old railway station in Spetisbury, Dorset, from 10am to 2pm to help celebrate the 200th anniversary of […]

  • A Folk Song Walk

    John's Pond and Watermeadow Dorchester, Dorset, United Kingdom

    Join local folk singer Alastair Braidwood for walks in the countryside close to Dorchester, accompanied by traditional folk songs from Dorset and further afield. Explore a beautiful part of the county, and hear songs relating to nature and rural ways from years before. Walks are about 3 miles and take roughly 2 hours. Bring your […]

    £10

  • A Folk Song Walk

    John's Pond and Watermeadow Dorchester, Dorset, United Kingdom

    Join local folk singer Alastair Braidwood for walks in the countryside close to Dorchester, accompanied by traditional folk songs from Dorset and further afield. Explore a beautiful part of the county, and hear songs relating to nature and rural ways from years before. Walks are about 3 miles and take roughly 2 hours. Bring your […]

    £10

  • Charity Auction & Cat Walk show

    The Tithe Barn, Hinton St Mary Hinton St Mary Estate, Sturminster Newton, United Kingdom

    On Saturday 2nd August I am hosting a Charity Auction and Preloved Fashions Cat Walk show, with a Wedding feature, at The Tithe Barn, Hinton St Mary The evening is a ticketed event ( tickets available from 1855 , The Emporium and by email to me) and will include:- A Dorset Deluxe grazing supper from […]

    £35.00

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