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Events and Festivals in Dorchester

Are you searching for a place that buzzes with events all year round?

Well get ready to fill your days with festivals, fairs, shows, carnivals and concerts as Dorchester has them all!

Festival Fever

Dorchester has a vibrant mix of festivals; the popular Thomas Hardy Victorian Fair in June, the Cider Festival in August and the Dorchester Literary Festival in the Autumn.

But the highlight of Dorchester’s calendar year has to be the Dorset County Show, an annual agricultural show featuring over 450 tradestands and a fantastic array of attractions. Drawing in the crowds are the spectacular main ring performances, the show jumping, the rousing scurry racing, the funfair and not forgetting of course all of the delicious food and shopping there is to be done.

Seasonal events

No matter what the weather is doing, there’s always somewhere to go in Dorchester.

In February, welcome the newborn lambs into the world at Kingston Maurward’s Lambing weekend and at Easter, hunt throughout the Dinosaur Museum to spot the dinosaur eggs and solve the mystery.

In the Summer, take the family and a picnic down to the Borough Gardens or Maumbury Rings and enjoy the live music events.

And at Christmas, the town is lit up and filled with the wonderful aroma of roasted chestnuts for the Christmas Cracker, Dorchester’s Christmas shopping event.

Market Days

Wednesday is Dorchester’s market day so come and enjoy the lively atmosphere, pick up some fresh produce, clothes, plants, flowers, antiques, collectables and gifts.

A Country Market is held every Friday in the Corn Exchange and a Farmers’ Market is also held up at Poundbury’s Queen Mother Square on the first Saturday of the month. So time your visit to Dorchester well and you’ll be in for some tasty treats!

Events coming soon

Choral Evensong Apr 27

Choral Evensong

You are warmly invited to our monthly, cathedral-style service of Choral Evensong on Saturday 27th April at 4.30pm in St Peter's Church, Dorchester. The music, which commemorates 100 years since...

Dorset Spring Show Apr 27

Dorset Spring Show

Your Spring adventure awaits! Presented by the team behind the Dorset County Show, the Dorset Spring Show blooms to life at Kingston Maurward, DT2 8PX, on 27th & 28th April 2024! Get ready for a...

Music for Daisy Apr 27

Music for Daisy

Join us for a night of music in memory of Daisy Smith and raising vital funds for Julia's House children's hospice, who provide care for children with life limiting and terminal conditions. ....

Learn How to Cast a Fly Apr 28

Learn How to Cast a Fly

This event is open to all ages. Being held at Vicarage Field, 4 Back Lane, Cerne Abbas, Dorchester DT2 7JW. Learn how to fish for the elusive trout in chalk stream or lake. This workshop will include...

Riverflies Safari Apr 28

Riverflies Safari

The River Cerne contains many interesting invertebrates. Volunteers from the "Riverfly" project, will teach us how to observe and monitor the health of our river by catching, identifying and...

The Dorchester Artisan Market Apr 28

The Dorchester Artisan Market

New for 2024 we are proud to introduce the Dorchester Artisan Market. With pitches for over 200 local, artisan traders spread across The Borough Gardens, West Walks, Bowling Alley Walk, South Walk,...

The Green Fair Apr 28

The Green Fair

We have invited a host of eco friendly suppliers to Athelhampton's West lawn. The fair is free to attend and is open to all, to allow everyone the chance to understand how to become more eco...

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