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.

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

Events

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Today

  • Semley Music Festival

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

    Semley Music Festival returns for its 4th year and the small festival with big ideas just got even bigger! We've extended the event on to an additional day, Sunday July […]

    £10 – £25

  • Yewstock Summer Bingo

    yewstock school Honeymead lane, Sturminster Newton

    Join us at Yewstock School for a night of numbers. Doors open at 6pm eyes down at 7pm.  We are cash only. Plus raffle and refreshments. Raising money for Friends Of Yewstock

    £10.00

  • An evening at Elsie’s Bistro Milborne Port

    Welcome to Something Else Fishy 1 The High Street, Milborne Port, Dorset

    Enjoy a fantastic evening of great food and laughter, A delicious three-course meal • Choose from fish and non-fish options A complimentary glass of I Prosecco on arrival Sit with […]

    £45

  • 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 Elainer Delmar, Andy Sheppard, Hejira, Soothsayers, The Adrian Cox Trio, The Sultan Stevenson Trio, Ian Bateman's Tribute to Louis Armstronic All Stars, Pete Long's Jazz […]

    £45 – £145

  • BBC Garden Rescue(d) Charity Open Garden Weekend 12th & 13th July 1pm – 5pm SP7 8RX

    Open garden event raising funds for Dorset Blind Association and Sjogrens UK. Sonia Booth became registered sight impaired in 2022 and applied to the BBC Garden Rescue programme  as she could no longer manage her existing garden.  She was lucky enough to be chosen and 18 months on is inviting people to come and see […]

    £3.00

  • 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 […]

  • Spetisbury Station Project Summer Tea Party

    Spetisbury Station Project off A350, Spetisbury, United Kingdom

    Join us at the old railway station in Spetisbury, Dorset, from 10am to 2pm to help celebrate the 200th anniversary of the birth of modern railways. Explore this beautifully-kept station site, learn about its history, and maybe enjoy a picnic. Pimms, teas & coffees, scones, cakes and other tasty treats will be available. Good quality […]

  • 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

  • Shaftesbury Fringe

    Shaftesbury

    For three days,  performers of all stripes will be taking over Shaftesbury - with music, comedy, theatre, dance, cabaret, magicians and more, the town will come alive as a record-breaking […]

  • Yewstock School Summer Fair

    yewstock school Honeymead lane, Sturminster Newton

    Come and join us whilst we raise money for  Friends of Yewstock. We are holding our annual summer fair at the school. There will be a Tombola, Raffle, throw a […]

    Free

  • Milton Abbas Art Group Exhibition

    The Reading Rooms, Milton Abbas The Reading Rooms, The Street, Milton Abbas

    Our annual exhibition is held in the Reading Rooms, directly opposite St James' Church, at the centre of The Street. The iconic cottages and beautiful surroundings add to the quintessential […]

    Free

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