What’s On
Event types
57 upcoming events
Dec 2025
Great Christmas Pudding Hunt
Wander through the galleries and see how many hidden Christmas Puddings you can spot!
Fri 26th Dec - All day
and 5 future schedules
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Skating in the Square
Embrace the joy of ice skating at Brewery Square!
Fri 26th Dec - All day
and 8 future schedules
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Art at Crossroads Cafe
An exhibition and sale of work by Art in Poundbury artists throughout December and January.
Fri 26th Dec - All day
and 31 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.
Fri 26th Dec - 10:00am
and 29 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!
Sat 27th Dec - All day
and 2 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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Martin James Bartlett and Mariam Batsashvili (piano duets)
Mariam Batsashvili and Martin James Bartlett share a mutual love for music making infused with wit and expressive variety.
Fri 6th Feb - 7:00pm
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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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Alex McAleer: Mind Reader
Alex McAleer’s new show will leave you laughing, guessing, and possibly questioning reality. He possesses the uncanny ability to apparently tap into his audiences’ minds and read their thoughts at will.
Fri 13th Feb - 7:00pm
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The Complete Work Of Jane Austen, Abridged
One newbie and two self-professed Janeites, through almost all means imaginable, tackle the entire canon of Jane Austen’s works – in just 80 minutes….
Sat 14th Feb - 7:00pm
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The Wow Bubble Show For Kids
Everybody loves bubbles, but Richard Welsh really loves bubbles – and he wants to show you why!
Tue 17th Feb - 11:00am
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Attention All Shipping: A Celebration Of The Shipping Forecast – Charlie Connelly
As the shipping forecast enters its second century, Charlie Connelly’s hilarious and insightful show brings this quirky broadcast to life.
Thu 19th Feb - 7:00pm
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A Head Full Of Coldplay
A Head Full of Coldplay deliver a fantastic show – the anthems, the lasers, confetti canons, and Xylobands, make for a superb immersive show. A true celebration of the music!
Fri 20th Feb - 7:00pm
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The Noise Next Door: Comedy, Improvised
Funny stuff, made up on the spot. No gimmicks, no tricks – just the quickest, wittiest improvisers in the UK putting on a show to make you laugh like nobody’s business.
Sat 21st Feb - 7:00pm
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Across The Square
On a cold December day 1917, Lady Ottoline Morrell has crossed Bedford Square to the home of Millicent Fawcett.
Tue 24th 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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Mike Denham SPEAKEASY featuring Emma Fisk
Mike Denham Speakeasy returns with its popular brand of jazz music,
Thu 26th Feb - 7:00pm
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Game Of Crones
Sharpen your swords and fill your goblets—the dragons are back! In 2018, A&E Comedy launched their quest with Enter the Dragons,
Fri 27th Feb - 7:30pm
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Beatles Complete
Beatles Complete present a night of Beatlemania packed with massive hits from the most influential band of all time.
Sat 28th Feb - 7:30pm
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Mar 2026
All For Your Delight
Meet the Brightcoats: they’re on a mission to give you and your family the best darn night out you’ve had in years.
Tue 3rd Mar - 7:30pm
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Stolen Ram
Zara is in deep trouble. She’s involved with shady, unscrupulous characters motivated only by greed and pursuit of power.
Fri 6th Mar - 7:30pm
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Susie Dent: Word Perfect
A brand-new tour of the joys of the English language with ‘Britain’s best-loved wordsmith’.
Sun 8th Mar - 3:30pm
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Turner & Constable – Exhibition On Screen
Two of Britain’s greatest painters, Turner and Constable, were fierce rivals who redefined landscape art. Born a year apart, they reflected a changing world through contrasting styles
Tue 10th Mar - 7:00pm
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Our Little Hour
Following its critically acclaimed, sell out success in 2024 OUR LITTLE HOUR comes to Dorchester Arts as part of its 2026 revival tour .
Thu 12th Mar - 7:00pm
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The Blackheart Orchestra
The Blackheart Orchestra is officially the smallest orchestra in the world. Two people playing 13 instruments between them.
Fri 13th Mar - 7:30pm
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Holmes and Watson: The Curious Case of The Masked Magician
1t’s 1906 – the Golden Age of Magic. The Masked Magician bestrides London’s world of Magic like a colossus, UNTIL…one night, in mid-performance, the Magician vanishes. Dead? Kidnapped? In hiding?
Sun 15th Mar - 2:30pm
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Holmes and Watson: The Curious Case of the Masked Magician
Holmes and Watson is a thrilling, magical whodunnit full of intrigue, illusion, and unexpected revelations.
Sun 15th Mar - 2:30pm
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Heavy Weather (DYT Senior Company)
Lizzie Nunnery's 'Heavy Weather' is a powerful, timely play, about one girl's journey through a world teetering on the brink.
Fri 20th Mar - 7:00pm
and 1 future schedules
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Catch the Sun
Exhibition of Community Art - Corn Exchange Gallery
Tue 24th Mar - 10am to 4pm
and 18 future schedules
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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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Helios – Touring Artwork
Helios is a new touring artwork by UK artist Luke Jerram.
Sat 28th Mar - 10am to 4pm
and 9 future schedules
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Apr 2026
An Evening Under the Sun with Mi Flamenco
Join us for a festival evening celebrating all things sunshine! Music, food and of course summery drinks to warm and delight the senses.
Wed 1st Apr - 7:30pm
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Meet Fred – Hijinx Theatre
Age guidance 14+ Contains strong language and puppet nudity
Thu 9th Apr - 7:00pm
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The Mexico Mission
Age guidance 7+ Could you crack a million-dollar case? In Mexico City, a new Frida Kahlo painting has been discovered! Or has it? Join art detectives Agent Kahlo and Dali as they try to prove who painted the portrait.
Fri 10th Apr - 1:30pm
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Tor Eigeland: 60 Years Behind the Lens
This exhibition brings together a small collection of Tor's most notable images, capturing some of the pivotal moments and globally significant events of the 20th century through his keen eye and unerring ability to be in the right place at the right time.
Tue 14th Apr - 10am to 4pm
and 37 future schedules
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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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