What’s On
Event types
91 upcoming events
Dec 2025
Santos + Co Totoloto Offer
Santos + Co presents Totoloto. Roll the dice and win a meal on us.
Thu 4th Dec - All day
and 10 future schedules
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Christmas at Santos + Co
This festive season, make your Christmas and New Year’s Eve celebrations truly special at Santos + Co. Whether it’s a cozy gathering with close friends and family or a festive celebration with colleagues, Santos + Co offers the perfect ambiance, delicious food and exceptional service to make your event unforgettable. Our Festive Celebration Menu starts on Friday 21st November. We can cater for groups of all sizes, from intimate dinners to lively parties. Secure your table now to ensure your festive celebration at Santos + Co is nothing short of spectacular.
Thu 4th Dec - All day
and 21 future schedules
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Great Christmas Pudding Hunt
Wander through the galleries and see how many hidden Christmas Puddings you can spot!
Thu 4th Dec - All day
and 27 future schedules
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Festive Escape Room – Frostbites: Mishap at Mistletoe Bakery
Run, run as fast as you can! To save Christmas: catch that gingerbread man!
Thu 4th Dec - All day
and 19 future schedules
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Skating in the Square
Embrace the joy of ice skating at Brewery Square!
Thu 4th Dec - All day
and 30 future schedules
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Winter Show
Warm your heart as you feast your eyes!
Thu 4th Dec - 10:00am
and 12 future schedules
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The Fabrics of Protest: A Unite Southwest Banners’ Exhibition
This exhibition brings together a remarkable collection of banners from Unite the Union’s Southwest region.
Thu 4th Dec - 10:00am
and 51 future schedules
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Christmas Afternoon Tea
Treat yourself to a Christmas Afternoon Tea at Shire Hall Museum in the lead up to Christmas.
Thu 4th Dec - 11:00am
and 16 future schedules
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Late Night Shopping Evening in Antelope Walk
The shops in Antelope Walk welcome you to an evening of festive cheer! on Thursday December 4th
Thu 4th Dec - 6:00pm
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Christmas Gin Glass Painting
Get into the festive spirit and paint your own gin glass
Thu 4th Dec - 6:00pm
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Nerikomi Pottery: Cheeseboard Edition at The Kings Arms Hotel!
Learn the art of Nerikomi Pottery to make your own festive cheeseboard. All abilities welcome! First drink on us!
Thu 4th Dec - 6:30pm
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Martin Harley
Martin Harley is celebrated as “One of the UK’s finest contemporary roots musicians”
Thu 4th Dec - 7:30pm
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Christmas Tree Festival 2025
Come and join us for our annual Christmas Tree Festival with wonderful Trees decorated on the theme of Christmas Stories.
Fri 5th Dec - All day
and 3 future schedules
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Creative Lunch for ALL parents and carers of children with SEND
Join us for a relaxing, creative lunch for all parents and carers of children with SEND – fully funded!
Fri 5th Dec - 11:00am
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Challenge Patch Club
Join Patch the Dragon in the cafe workshop for our fun new afterschool club.
Fri 5th Dec - 4:00pm
and 2 future schedules
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Friday Sessions: DJ & Cocktails
Friday Sessions at The King's Arms
Fri 5th Dec - 6:00pm
and 2 future schedules
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Who’s Wine Is It Anyway?
Join us for ‘Whose Wine Is It Anyway’, a fun-filled evening of wine tasting with a twist!
Fri 5th Dec - 7:00pm
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Welcome or Welcome Not
Athelhampton House plays host to a seasonal celebration of words and music from and about Dorset
Fri 5th Dec - 7:30pm
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A Kingston Christmas!
Kingston Maurward will once again be transformed into a winter wonderland!
Sat 6th Dec - All day
and 7 future schedules
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Christmas Services at St George’s Church
St George's Fordington
Sat 6th Dec - All day
and 3 future schedules
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Quiet Opening
Explore the Museum and take part in drop-in activities during our Quiet Openings. Especially suitable for visitors with autism or other sensory conditions, and their siblings, parents and carers. The sessions are also suitable for any group or individual who would like to visit our museums and galleries at a quieter time.
Sat 6th Dec - 10:00am
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Winter Wonders: Festive Arts & Crafts
Celebrate the joy of the festive season by getting creative in a relaxed, family-friendly setting.
Sat 6th Dec - 10:00am
and 3 future schedules
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Christmas Bambi Painting Workshop
Celebrate the season with a cosy and creative Christmas Paint Party
Sat 6th Dec - 12:00pm
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Christmas Concert (Dorchester Choral Society)
A concert to start your Christmas celebrations!
Sat 6th Dec - 7:30pm
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Christmas Services at Dorford Baptist Church
Dorford Baptist Church
Sun 7th Dec - All day
and 3 future schedules
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Christmas Services at Dorchester Family Church
Dorchester Family Church
Sun 7th Dec - All day
and 2 future schedules
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Wooden Christmas Decoration Painting Workshop
Create your very own painted wooden Christmas decoration!
Sun 7th Dec - 10:30am
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Journal Launch – Poetry Readings from Local Writers
Celebrating the release of Journal 2 of The Jawbone Journal!
Tue 9th Dec - 6:30pm
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Julia’s House Dorchester Carols Concert
An evening of classic Christmas carols at St. Mary’s Church.
Tue 9th Dec - 7:00pm
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Poetry and Writing Workshop
Unlock Your Creative Voice – Writing Workshop
Wed 10th Dec - 10:30am
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Quiz Night at Brewhouse and Kitchen every Wednesday
Quiz night at Brewhouse and Kitchen every Wednesday. 8pm start and £2.00 cash entry to play. There are cash prizes to win for first and second place and a special managers jackpot question which increases every week with every unanswered question.
Wed 10th Dec - 8:00pm
and 1 future schedules
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Christmas Pottery Pop Up by Dorset Clay Cooperative
Beautiful ceramic Christmas presents at this Pottery Pop Up
Thu 11th Dec - 10:00am
and 3 future schedules
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Tinsel & Twinkle – Late Night Christmas Shopping Experience!
Shop your way through Brewery Square at our late night shopping experience event!
Thu 11th Dec - 4:00pm
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Late Night Shopping at the Maker’s Yard
We’re opening our doors a little longer to share some seasonal warmth and togetherness.
Thu 11th Dec - 5:00pm
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Christmas Starry Night – Acrylic Painting
Come create a festive masterpiece to hang with pride – or give as a handmade gift this Christmas.
Thu 11th Dec - 6:00pm
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Going the Rounds 2025
A Musical Performance - The Mellstock Quire in Thomas Hardy's `Under the Greenwood Tree'
Thu 11th Dec - 6:30pm
and 1 future schedules
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Tim Young Playing at the Convivial Rabbit
An evening of acoustic covers of a selection of classic songs
Fri 12th Dec - 7:30pm
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Christmas Service at The Storehouse Church
The Storehouse Church
Sat 13th Dec - All day
and 3 future schedules
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Seasonal Sparkle: Festive Arts & Crafts
Join us for a cracker of a weekend filled with festive creativity.
Sat 13th Dec - 10:00am
and 3 future schedules
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Christmas Bauble Painting
Paint your own Christmas bauble!
Sat 13th Dec - 11:30am
and 3 future schedules
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Bohemia in East Chaldon | Mark Damon Chutter
Join Mark Damon Chutter for a fascinating exploration of the remarkable writers and artists who once called East Chaldon home.
Sat 13th Dec - 2:00pm
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Wonderful Wintery Wizardry (Peter Clifford)
Peter Clifford brings a brand new Christmas magic show for all the family to Dorchester Arts.
Sat 13th Dec - 2:30pm
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Dorchester Christmas Cracker
Loads to see and do in the Corn Exchange, the Cornhill, South Street, Trinity Street and High West Street.
Sun 14th Dec - 11:00am
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The Sylvia Townsend Warner Statue Unveiling
Join us in person to unveil the awesome new statue honouring Sylvia Townsend Warner!
Sun 14th Dec - 1:00pm
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Blue Bridge Playing at the Convivial Rabbit
Get yourself into the festive spirit with a selection of Christmas songs from this Dorchester duo
Sun 14th Dec - 4:00pm
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Merry Mouse Choir – Watercolour Workshop
Paint the sweetest little Merry Mouse Choir
Tue 16th Dec - 1:00pm
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Wise Owls – Social group for over 65’s
Tea, chat & company – join our Over 65’s Social at The Crafty Cuppa.
Wed 17th Dec - 1:00pm
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Store Tour
Join our Collections Team for an opportunity to explore behind the scenes in Dorset Museum & Art Gallery's Collections Discovery Centre.
Wed 17th Dec - 2:00pm
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Carols in the Gardens
Join us for a free carol concert in Borough Gardens, where you can enjoy live music and sing along to classic Christmas carols.
Thu 18th Dec - 6:30pm
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Opus Anglicanum: Mediaval Carols
Mediaeval Carols is a favourite Opus Anglicanum programme for over 30 years and has been performed all over the UK.
Thu 18th Dec - 7:00pm
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LIVE MUSIC: Chris Davies performs at The King’s Arms
Festive Live Music at The Kings Arms!
Fri 19th Dec - 6:00pm
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Bournemouth Sinfonietta Choir
The Bournemouth Sinfonietta Choir comes back to the Corn Exchange.
Fri 19th Dec - 7:30pm
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Breakfast With Singing Santa!
Enjoy a special festive treat for all the family and have breakfast with our singing Father Christmas!
Sat 20th Dec - All day
and 2 future schedules
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The Christmassy Christmas Show Of Christmassy Christmasness (Squashbox Theatre)
Squashbox Theatre presents The Christmassy Christmas Show of Christmassy Christmasness!
Sat 20th Dec - 11:30am
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Christmas Services at St Mary’s Church
St Mary's Church
Sun 21st Dec - All day
and 2 future schedules
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Christmas at Poxwell Manor
Mulled Wine, Mince Pies, Carols and Hardy Readings in a lovely, festive setting.
Sun 21st Dec - 2:00pm
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The Albion Christmas Band
The Albion Christmas Band is widely regarded as the premier seasonal show.
Mon 22nd Dec - 7:30pm
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Christmas Services at Holy Trinity Church
Holy Trinity Catholic Church
Wed 24th Dec - All day
and 1 future schedules
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Jan 2026
The Big Dorset Midwinter Ceilidh & Kiddies Keilidh
Dance away the winter blues to folk music led by an experienced caller.
Sat 10th Jan - 5:30pm
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Phil Beer
Phil Beer is the multi-instrumental half of the west country’s award-winning acoustic duo, Show of Hands!
Thu 15th Jan - 11:59am
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Beauty & The Beast (Living Spit)
From the creators of the Offie award-nominated Six Wives of Henry VIII, comes a version of this classic French tale.
Fri 16th Jan - 7:00pm
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Winter Pruning Fruit Trees Workshop
Make sure your fruit trees are fruitful and healthy!
Sat 17th Jan - 10:00am
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Dorchester Comedy Club – Headliner: Milton Jones
We’re kicking off the new year in spectacular style at Dorchester Comedy Club with a true comedy legend, the one and only Milton Jones!
Sat 17th Jan - 7:30pm
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Janet Street-Porter
From a bolshy child with a Welsh-speaking budgie to National Treasure, Janet Street-Porter’s life (and language) has always been colourful.
Wed 21st Jan - 7:30pm
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Janet Street Porter Is Off The Leash
The nation’s favourite pissed-off pensioner brings comedy, tragedy and gossip in equal measure, a tour de force rant against growing old gracefully.
Wed 21st Jan - 7:30pm
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Is Bob Dylan Now History – An Evening With Writer Michael Gray
Dorchester Arts is thrilled to welcome back Michael Gray, a leading authority on Bob Dylan and author of Song & Dance Man, The Bob Dylan Encyclopedia, and Outtakes On Bob Dylan.
Thu 22nd Jan - 7:30pm
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Parody of the Rings
A Hilarious and Epic Adventure! What happens when a cinema’s Lord of the Rings marathon goes terribly wrong?
Fri 23rd Jan - 7:30pm
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Parody Of The Rings
The Production Garden Presents A Hilarious and Epic Adventure!
Fri 23rd Jan - 7:30pm
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Masquerade: A Tribute To The Carpenters
Join us on a captivating journey celebrating the timeless music of The Carpenters.
Sat 24th Jan - 7:30pm
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Film Screening: Les Choristes
A much loved and charming film with the Dorchester-Bayeux Twinning Society.
Tue 27th Jan - 7:30pm
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Talk – Thomas Fowell Buxton and the Niger Expedition of 1841-1842
Dorchester Association For the Research into Local History and Archaeology Event
Thu 29th Jan - 2:30pm
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Rank – OffPiste Theatre
A taxi driver’s life is turned upside down by an epic encounter.
Thu 29th Jan - 7:30pm
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People Watching
Explore over a hundred years of British portraiture with The Ingram Collection and Dorset Museum & Art Gallery.
Sat 31st Jan - All day
and 99 future schedules
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The Man Who Was Magic
‘Magic is in his bones. Disbelief. Flabbergasted. Stunned’
Sat 31st Jan - 7:30pm
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Feb 2026
Hooray For Hollywood-Liza Pulman & Joe Stilgoe
Some of the best loved songs of our movie-musical lives.
Tue 3rd Feb - 7:30pm
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Dorchester Beerex
West Dorset CAMRA and Dorchester Casterbridge Rotary Club proudly present the 37th Dorchester Beerex.
Fri 6th Feb - 11:00am
and 3 future schedules
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Face 2 Face: Exploring the relationship between artist and sitter | Professor Paul Gough
Drawing on examples from the People Watching exhibition, Professor Paul Gough will look at the techniques used by artists, their starting points, the ploys used to capture the essence of a sitter, and the mistakes made along the way.
Tue 10th Feb - 6:00pm
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Talk: Napoleon – soldier and lover
A talk by James Porter on Napoleon's life, leadership and loves
Thu 12th Feb - 7:30pm
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Talk – Policing in the Past
Dorchester Association For the Research into Local History and Archaeology Event
Thu 26th Feb - 2:30pm
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Mar 2026
Talk – The Dorchester Roman Aqueduct
Dorchester Association For the Research into Local History and Archaeology Event
Thu 26th Mar - 7:30pm
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Apr 2026
Talk – Maude Dudley: Nanny to the Williams family of Bridehead
Dorchester Association For the Research into Local History and Archaeology Event
Thu 30th Apr - 7:30pm
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May 2026
Talk – Victorian School Logbooks – Details of everyday school life in rural Dorset.
Dorchester Association For the Research into Local History and Archaeology Event
Thu 28th May - 7:30pm
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Thomas Hardy Birthday Lecture: Comedy in Hardy
In this Birthday Lecture, the chairman and academic director of the Thomas Hardy Society will explore the use of comedy and comedic timing in Hardy's prose and poetry.
Fri 29th May - 6:00pm
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