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

  • The Big Dorset May Day Family Ceilidh

    Hardye Theatre, Thomas Hardye School Queen's Avenue, Dorchester

    Come and celebrate May Day in traditional style with a modern twist with this popular ceilidh band and experienced caller. Join Tatterdemalion, the band of the New Hardy Players, who […]

    £5 – £13

  • The Glorious Assembly Jazz Orchestra

    Messums west Place Farm, Court St,, Tisbury, Salisbury, wiltshire, United Kingdom

    Join us At Messums WEST TO CELEBRATE ALL THAT IS GREAT ABOUT JAZZ IN BRITAIN today. David Mitcham will direct The Glorious Assembly Jazz Orchestra in a world premiere live concert, […]

    £10 – £70

  • Murder at Villa Madeira: The Story of the Rattenburys Talk by Hattie Miles

    East Dorset Heritgae Trust Hanham Rd,, Wimborne Minster, dorset, United Kingdom

    In March 1935 Bournemouth was shaken by a sensational murder. Retired architect Francis Mawson Rattenbury, aged 67, was found dead at his home, Villa Madeira, on Manor Road. This fascinating […]

    £6.00

  • Dawn Chorus Walk with Breakfast

    Bere Marsh Farm Shillingstone DT11 0QY Newmans Drove, Shillingstone, Saint Vincent and The Grenadines

    Dawn Chorus Walk with Breakfast on Saturday 9 May, from 4.30am to 6.30am. Led by birding expert John Lockwood, the early morning walk offers a chance to experience the dawn […]

    £8 – £10

  • Seaside Scramble 2026 – Dorset Charity 5K Obstacle Run

    Baiter Park Catalina Drive, Poole, Dorset, United Kingdom

    Get ready for an unforgettable coastal challenge at the Seaside Scramble 2026, a 5km charity obstacle course run set against the stunning Dorset seaside. Perfect for runners, families, friends, and […]

    £20

  • Seaside Scramble 2026 – Dorset Charity 5K Obstacle Run

    Baiter Park Baiter Park, Poole, Dorset

    Get ready for an unforgettable coastal challenge at the Seaside Scramble 2026, a 5km charity obstacle course run set against the stunning Dorset seaside. Perfect for runners, families, friends, and […]

    £20

  • Card Collectors Show

    The Bridge Littledown, Chaseside,, Bournemouth,, dorset, United Kingdom

    Our monthly trading card collectors show in Bournemouth takes place on 9th May 2026. Meet fellow TGC collectors interested in Pokémon and other popular card ranges. We are at The […]

    £6

  • Milborne Port: Community Matters

    Church House Bathwell Lane, Milborne Port

    Community groups, voluntary organisations and businesses showcase what is on offer in this great village!

    Free

  • RURAL FUTURES: LOCAL SOLUTIONS TO GLOBAL PROBLEMS

    Messums West Place Farm, Court Street, Tisbury, Salisbury.

    JOIN US AT MESSUMS WEST TO ENGAGE IN THE DEBATE - RURAL FUTURES: LOCAL SOLUTIONS TO GLOBAL PROBLEMS Rural Futures: Local Solutions to Global Problems is a weekend of talks and […]

    £5 – £60

  • Choral Eucharist

    st peters church

    You are warmly invited to our cathedral-style service of Choral Eucharist on Sunday 10th May at 10.30am in St Peter’s Church, Dorchester. The music includes: William Harris’s ‘Holy is the […]

    Free

  • Milton Abbey School Scholarships

    Milton Abbey School Blandford Forum, dorset, United Kingdom

    Milton Abbey School is the the only truly full boarding school in England offering the broadest possible selection of academic, vocational and sporting qualifications for children aged 13-18. Our next […]

    Free

  • Milton Abbey School Scholarships

    Milton Abbey School Blandford Forum, dorset, United Kingdom

    Milton Abbey School is proud to offer scholarships in 'Sport', 'Dorset', and 'Academic'. Our next scholarship assessment day is Saturday 16 May, and you can register your interest here. As […]

    Free

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