What’s On
Event types
78 upcoming events
Sep 2026
“At the Chapel” Pop Up Bakery at The Kings Arms
Pop along every Thursday 9-2 for scrumptious baked goodies including their signature traditional breads, croissants, savouries, quiches, doughnuts, cruffins, and fabulous cakes.
Thu 3rd Sep - 9:00am
and 18 future schedules
VIEW
Treasure! Lost and Found Exhibition
The Treasure! Lost and Found exhibition celebrates our fascination with uncovering the past.
Thu 3rd Sep - All day
and 10 future schedules
VIEW
Art at Crossroads
Come and enjoy the new exhibition at Crossroads Cafe
Thu 3rd Sep - All day
and 57 future schedules
VIEW
What Survives – Iryna Yermolova
I paint to understand what words cannot express.
Thu 3rd Sep - 10:00am
and 12 future schedules
VIEW
Why Did Dorset’s Bronze Age Communities Sacrifice Valuable Things?
In this talk, Dr Neil Wilkin explores why people in Bronze Age Dorset deliberately buried valuable objects, often never to retrieve them.
Thu 3rd Sep - 6:00pm
VIEW
Artist and Art Lovers Social
Informal get together for people who like Art and enjoy a good chat!
Thu 3rd Sep - 6:00pm
VIEW
Health Walk
Free Weekly Health Walks at Thorncombe Wood!
Fri 4th Sep - 10:00am
and 10 future schedules
VIEW
Friday Sessions: DJ & Cocktails
Friday Sessions at The King's Arms
Fri 4th Sep - 6:00pm
and 16 future schedules
VIEW
Siglo de Oro in concert at St Peter’s Church Dorchester
Siglo de Oro Chamber Choir In Concert
Fri 4th Sep - 7:00pm
VIEW
Dorset County Show
Celebrating Dorset Agriculture, Countryside and rural life. Acting as Dorset’s end of harvest celebration.
Sat 5th Sep - All day
and 1 future schedules
VIEW
Quiet Opening
Quiet Openings are especially suitable for visitors with autism or other sensory conditions, and their siblings, parents and carers.
Sat 5th Sep - 10:00am
and 3 future schedules
VIEW
Handcrafted Afternoon Tea: Every Saturday 12-5 at The Kings Arms
Handcrafted afternoon teas at The Kings Arms
Sat 5th Sep - 12:00pm
and 20 future schedules
VIEW
Bottomless Afternoon Tea
BOTTOMLESS AFTERNOON TEA IS BACK
Sat 5th Sep - 12:00pm
and 11 future schedules
VIEW
Aspects of Metal Detecting
Ever wondered what it takes to become a metal detectorist? Join Karen Brown, Keith Brown, and Brian Read to explore every aspect of the hobby.
Sat 5th Sep - 1:30pm
VIEW
Ansell & Gretel Playing at the Convivial Rabbit
Ansell and Gretel playing at the Convivial Rabbit
Sat 5th Sep - 7:30pm
VIEW
Dr Beatroot
Dr Beatroot have the pleasure of returning to Tom Browns in Dorchester for a night of Skifflegrass fun.
Sat 5th Sep - 9:00pm
VIEW
Roman Town House Tour
Join our trained guides on a tour of Roman Town House site and the precious artifacts recovered and now on display at Dorset Museum & Art Gallery.
Sat 5th Sep - 10:00pm
and 1 future schedules
VIEW
Hardy’s Dorchester Tour
Discover how the real streets, buildings, and landscapes of Dorset were transformed into the powerful setting of Thomas Hardy's 'Casterbridge'.
Sun 6th Sep - 10:30am
VIEW
Summer Sessions: Live Music in Borough Gardens presents Tony Lowe
Join us at the Bandstand for an easy-listening afternoon of classics, courtesy of the ever-popular Tony Lowe. Enjoy covers of hit songs by some of the biggest names in music. We're delighted to say that Tony will take to the Bandstand on four Sundays this summer: 12 July, 2 August, 6 September and 14 September - all from 2-4pm. The event is free for all to attend with no booking required.
Sun 6th Sep - 2:00pm
VIEW
Knit and Natter
Bring your knitting, crochet, sewing or any crafty project and join us for a relaxed morning of stitches and chat!
Mon 7th Sep - 10:00am
and 13 future schedules
VIEW
Pop-Up Choir
Join residents and staff from local care homes as they ‘Pop Up’ on The Great Field to perform a selection of songs.
Tue 8th Sep - 2:30pm
VIEW
Poetry and Writing Workshop
Unlock Your Creative Voice – Writing Workshop
Wed 9th Sep - 10:30am
VIEW
Pumps, Pipes and Privies: A Talk by Philip Browne
The introduction of clean drinking water and a sewerage system to Dorchester in the 1850s.
Thu 10th Sep - 7:00pm
VIEW
Wish Upon a Starre – Ms Rachel
Join our Miss Rachel Performer for a fun session of stories, nursery rhymes, songs and sensory activities all designed to support your tiny humans dev
Fri 11th Sep - 11:45am
and 6 future schedules
VIEW
Paws Around The Park 2026
After a howling success in 2024 we are thrilled to be holding Paws Around the Park again this year!
Sat 12th Sep - 10:00am
VIEW
Roman Dorchester Tour
Join our trained guides to step back in time and immerse yourself in the historic Roman town of Durnovaria.
Sat 12th Sep - 10:30am
and 1 future schedules
VIEW
Historical Mystery & Food History
A talk by Georgia Piggott. Historical Mystery & Food History Discovering 17th century recipes through novel-writing with author Georgia Piggott!
Sat 12th Sep - 11:00am
VIEW
Weldmar’s Summer Fete 2026
Set in the beautiful grounds of our hospice, a much-loved annual event.
Sat 12th Sep - 11:00am
VIEW
The life and death of Mary Channing of Dorchester
Discover the fascinating story of a woman who, in 1706 was burnt at the stake at Maumbury Rings for poisoning her husband to death.
Sat 12th Sep - 2:00pm
VIEW
Isaiah Dreads + Friends: Seaside Rap 2 @ Vinyl Van
First live performance of Seaside Rap 2. JORB on decks, live performances from friends.
Sat 12th Sep - 7:00pm
VIEW
Kingston Maurward Autumn Plant Fair
The Specialist Autumn Plant Fair has a new name and a new venue!
Sun 13th Sep - 10:00am
VIEW
Summer Sessions: Live Music in Borough Gardens presents Tony Lowe
Closing out our Summer Sessions line-up this year is Tony Lowe, who will perform a selection of dearly-loved classics for everyone at the Bandstand. Expect a bit of Bublé and a dash of Diamond through a set that will take in a number of the all-time greats! The event is free for all to attend with no booking required.
Sun 13th Sep - 2:00pm
VIEW
Monochrome Photography Exhibition and Sale: Wessex
This year, the Dorset Monochrome Collective's photography exhibition theme is "Wessex seen through the eyes of 10 photographers".
Mon 14th Sep - 10:00am
and 6 future schedules
VIEW
Wise Owls – Social group for over 65’s
Tea, chat & company – join our Over 65’s Social at The Crafty Cuppa.
Wed 16th Sep - 1:00pm
and 5 future schedules
VIEW
Store Tour
Join our Collections Team for an opportunity to explore behind the scenes in Dorset Museum & Art Gallery's Collections Discovery Centre.
Wed 16th Sep - 2:00pm
and 3 future schedules
VIEW
The City For Incurable Women
Ladies and Gentlethem – feeling a little upset? Have you tried hypnosis, psychoanalysis, smelling salts and it just doesn’t work?
Thu 17th Sep - 7:30pm
VIEW
Thought Control: A Tribute to Pink Floyd
Thought Control brings their tribute to Pink Floyd to Dorchester Arts
Fri 18th Sep - 7:30pm
VIEW
Free Guided Walk from Hardy’s Cottage to Hardy’s House, Max Gate
Free guided walk from Thomas Hardy's birthplace to Max Gate.
Sat 19th Sep - 10:15am
VIEW
Thomas Hardy’s Women In Life and Literature
Thomas Hardy's Women In Life & Literature
Sat 19th Sep - 11:00am
VIEW
Country in the Square
Grab your Cowboy Boots. Country music is taking over Brewery Square for a full day of live tracks, cold drinks, and open-air dancing.
Sat 19th Sep - 1:00pm
VIEW
Barleycorn (Riddlestick Theatre)
A new musical comedy inspired by English Lore, folk horror and 'wyrd' 1970s TV!
Sat 19th Sep - 7:30pm
VIEW
What The Phunk! Live
This band really are quite inspiring and features some of the best musicians and musical directors in the Southwest.
Sat 19th Sep - 9:30pm
VIEW
In the footsteps of Hardy’s childhood – National Trust Walk
Starting at the Visitor Centre and finishing at Hardy's Cottage, this walk lasts about 1 hour and includes poetry readings along the way linked to the natural surroundings of the woods and heathland.
Sun 20th Sep - 12:15pm
VIEW
Pam Ayres: Doggedly Onward – A Life in Poems
Pam Ayres comes to Dorchester's Hardye Theatre to talk about her latest book, Doggedly Onwards, A Life in Poems
Sun 20th Sep - 5:00pm
VIEW
Emergence
An exciting exhibition by Dorset Visual Arts highlighting the work of Dorset's emerging artists.
Tue 22nd Sep - All day
and 17 future schedules
VIEW
Spoken Word Night
Spoken Word Night at The Poet Laureate!
Tue 22nd Sep - 7:00pm
and 1 future schedules
VIEW
Exhibition: Stories of Renewal
Art Exhibition: 'Stories of Renewal' -showcasing vibrant artworks and stories from women in the Second Chances Art Group: Bournemouth
Thu 24th Sep - All day
and 4 future schedules
VIEW
GEOFEST
A festival celebrating Geoscience: Fossils, Rocks and Earth Science.
Thu 24th Sep - 10:00am
VIEW
Woodland Wanders
Join Our Ranger-Led Seasonal Strolls!
Thu 24th Sep - 10:15am
and 3 future schedules
VIEW
24K Magic
Join Multi-award winning magician Danny Lee Grew in his mind-boggling one man show 24k Magic!
Fri 25th Sep - 7:30pm
VIEW
Dorchester Repair Cafe
The amazing repairers will be waiting for you, ready to tackle your broken clocks, clothes, small appliances and more!
Sat 26th Sep - 10:00am
and 2 future schedules
VIEW
Hardy, The Moule Family and Fordington: Heritage Talk
Join Mark Damon Chutter for an evening talk
Sat 26th Sep - 7:00pm
VIEW
Mi Flamenco – Umbra
In their new touring production, Umbra, the Mi Flamenco ensemble bring powerful, rich flamenco interspersed with their signature theatrical twists.
Sat 26th Sep - 7:30pm
VIEW
The Dorchester Artisan Market
Dorset Artisan Markets are bringing a fabulous collection of over 200 artisan traders to the streets of Dorchester!
Sun 27th Sep - 10:00am
and 1 future schedules
VIEW
Imaginary Landscapes – Chris Tutton and Tara Minton
Poetry and harp come together for a spellbinding performance.
Sun 27th Sep - 2:30pm
VIEW
La Grande Vadrouille – Dorchester-Bayeux Society Film
A totally hilarious Franco-British comedy film
Tue 29th Sep - 7:30pm
VIEW
From the Stacks – Free lunchtime talk
Free lunchtime talk on selected archival treasures at Dorset History Centre.
Wed 30th Sep - 12:30pm
and 2 future schedules
VIEW
Oct 2026
A History of England in 25 Poems with author Catherine Clarke
One Nation's Past, 25 Poems!
Sat 3rd Oct - 11:00am
VIEW
Dorchester Half Marathon & 10km
A relaxed, welcoming and inclusive local running event in Dorchester.
Sun 4th Oct - 9:00am
VIEW
Mark Thomas – 40 In Stand Up Years
What?! Mark Thomas has been ‘standing up’ for 40 years? Impossible!!
Fri 9th Oct - 7:30pm
VIEW
The Script’s The Thing!
The Script’s The Thing will take place on 10th and 11th October, and is a celebration of new writing for theatre, TV, film, radio and all performance.
Sat 10th Oct - All day
and 1 future schedules
VIEW
Talk: The Bayeux Tapestry and the Battle of Hastings
Military historian James Porter speaks about the Bayeux Tapestry and the Battle of Hastings with images describing the epic battle.
Wed 14th Oct - 7:30pm
VIEW
Dorchester Literary Festival
Readers are invited to the 13th Dorchester Literary Festival, taking place from 17–24 October 2026.
Sat 17th Oct - All day
and 7 future schedules
VIEW
Nov 2026
Dorset Food and Drink Winter Fair
Winter Food and Drink Fair at Athelhampton House
Sat 7th Nov - 10:00am
and 1 future schedules
VIEW
Jun 2028
Thomas Hardy Victorian Street Fair
Dorchester's Victorian Street Fair to celebrate the birthday of one of Dorchester's most famous residents, Thomas Hardy. This will be a fun filled day for all the family with an incredible array of Victorian and Thomas Hardy themed activities and demonstrations.
Sun 4th Jun - 11:00am
VIEW