What’s On
Event types
76 upcoming events
Apr 2025

Exhibition: Gladiators of Britain
A British Museum Partnership Exhibition with Colchester + Ipswich Museums will delve into the lesser-known history of gladiatorial contests in Roman Britain. Launching at Dorset Museum & Art Gallery in January 2025, the exhibition will tour four UK venues, tracing the footsteps of gladiators who once fought in Britain’s amphitheatres.
Wed 30th Apr - All day
and 11 future schedules
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Gladiator Trail
Step into the thrilling world of gladiators with our Gladiator Trail, a fun-filled family activity that will take you on an exciting journey through the museum!
Wed 30th Apr - All day
and 11 future schedules
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The Magic of Middle-Earth
Journey to Middle Earth at the Shire Hall Museum. Go beyond the books to explore J. R. R. Tolkien's artistic legacy through this exciting exhibition.
Wed 30th Apr - All day
and 45 future schedules
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Arthur Neal in the East Wing Gallery at Athelhampton House
Arthur Neal Exhibition in the East Wing Gallery at Athelhampton House
Wed 30th Apr - All day
and 45 future schedules
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Easter Egg Hunt in Antelope Walk – Starting 1st April
Easter Egg Hunt in Antelope Walk throughout April
Wed 30th Apr - All day
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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 30th Apr - 2:00pm
and 8 future schedules
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May 2025

Friday Sessions: DJ & 2 for £15 Cocktails
Friday Sessions at The King's Arms: DJ & 2 for £15 cocktails
Fri 2nd May - 6:00pm
and 33 future schedules
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The Script’s The Thing! 2
The Script’s The Thing 2 will take place on Saturday 3rd May 2025, and is a celebration of new writing for theatre, TV, film, radio and all performance.
Sat 3rd May - All day
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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 3rd May - 10:00am
and 6 future schedules
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Roman Town House Tours
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 3rd May - 10:30am
and 5 future schedules
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Roman Dorchester Walk
Join our trained guides to step back in time and immerse yourself in the historic Roman town of Durnovaria...
Tue 6th May - 10:30am
and 3 future schedules
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Maiden Castle Guided Tour
Join us on a fascinating guided walk that delves into the rich archaeological heritage of Maiden Castle, one of the largest and most iconic Iron Age hill forts in Europe. This tour will explore the complex history of the hill fort and its surrounding landscape, uncovering layers of human activity that span thousands of years.
Tue 6th May - 6:00pm
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Magic Mic Night – Open Mic Sessions
'Magic Mic' open mic sessions at the very plush and popular VIVO Lounge.
Wed 7th May - 7:00pm
and 3 future schedules
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Storytime at the Museum
Come and join us for fun-filled Storytime where you can listen to some amazing tales in our Community Space at Dorset Museum & Art Gallery!
Thu 8th May - 10:00am
and 4 future schedules
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VE Day Beacon Lighting Event
VE Day Beacon Lighting event on Salisbury Field in Dorchester
Thu 8th May - 8:15pm
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Dunkirk – A Special Evening Event
Drinks reception followed by a special talk on the Dorsetshire Regiment at Dunkirk.
Fri 9th May - 6:30pm
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Dorchester Walking Festival
Experience the beauty of Dorchester and the Jurassic Coast at the Dorchester Walking Festival, 10 – 18th May 2025.
Sat 10th May - All day
and 8 future schedules
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Street in the Park 2025
Street In The Park is back! Get ready to witness epic DJ sets, creative street dance and amazing graffiti.
Sat 10th May - 2:00pm
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Dorset Chamber Orchestra’s Beethoven Gala Concert
The Dorset Chamber Orchestra is delighted to present an inspiring all-Beethoven concert.
Sat 10th May - 7:30pm
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VE Day 80th Concert
A free concert in Borough Gardens from 1.00pm until 4.00pm with music with the Decadettes and the Durnovaria Silver Band. Come along with a picnic or enjoy a range of refreshments from the Borough Gardens catering kiosk and listen to a range of patriotic and 1940s music.
Sun 11th May - 1:00pm
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Yoga in the Park
Immerse yourself into an evening of movement and calm.
Mon 12th May - 6:15pm
and 2 future schedules
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Film screening: Le Petit Nicolas
A comedy/family film with the Dorchester-Bayeux Twinning Society
Tue 13th May - 7:30pm
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The life of Rev. John Hutchins, author of The History and Antiquities of the County of Dorset
Tue 13th May - 7:30pm
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Dorchester Vegan Market
The Dorchester Vegan Market in the historic Maumbury Rings Roman Amphitheatre
Sat 17th May - 10:00am
and 2 future schedules
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Fused Glass Workshop
Book now for a restful and creative afternoon using glass to create your own masterpieces.
Sat 17th May - 10:00am
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Open for Art
Open studios and art events across Weymouth, Portland and Dorchester celebrating art, craft, and making.
Sat 17th May - 10:00am
and 15 future schedules
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Beating the Bounds
Join in with this free annual tradition to “Beat the Bounds” of the old Roman Walls!
Sun 18th May - 2:00pm
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Volunteer Open Day
Thinking about becoming a volunteer? Come along and find out more about volunteer opportunities in Dorchester
Tue 20th May - 11:00am
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Poundbury Unwrapped 24th May to 1st June 2025
Art exhibition in Jubilee Hall Poundbury (Around the corner to Waitrose Poundbury). everyone welcome. Saturday 24th May to Sunday 1st June 10am to 4pm everyday.
Sat 24th May - 10:00am
and 8 future schedules
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The Dorchester Artisan Market
Dorset Artisan Markets are bringing a fabulous collection of over 200 artisan traders to the streets of Dorchester!
Sun 25th May - 10:00am
and 6 future schedules
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Summer Sessions: Nick Capaldi
Live music in the park from singer-songwriter Nick Capaldi.
Sun 25th May - 2:00pm
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Summer Sessions: Ruffdog Elliott
Ruffdog has a bar room lizard style of acoustic jazz with the grit of the streets seeping into the sound of his vocals.
Mon 26th May - 2:00pm
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Fairy Folk Tales
Step into the enchanting world of Dorset folklore and immerse yourself in the magical tale of "The Singing Barrows at Bincombe Bumps".
Tue 27th May - 10:00am
and 3 future schedules
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From the Stacks – Free lunchtime talk
Recurring event, 'From the Stacks', which is a free lunchtime talk on selected archival treasures at Dorset History Centre, taking place on the last Wednesday of every month.
Wed 28th May - 12:30pm
and 3 future schedules
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Dorchester Association Talk: Victorian Dorchester by Mark Chutter
Details of everyday school life in rural Dorset.
Thu 29th May - 7:30pm
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Hardy Women: Mothers, Sisters, Wives, Muses
Join Paula Byrne for a talk exploring Hardy Women which offers a fresh perspective on Hardy’s life, exploring it through the lens of the women who shaped him—his formidable mother, devoted sisters, first loves, long-suffering wives, and inspiring muses. Through their eyes, we see the man behind the novels, a figure both enthralled by and at odds with the women around him.
Fri 30th May - 6:00pm
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Thomas Hardy: Justice of Peace
Saturday 31st May 2025 from 2pm. Join Mark Damon Chutter, Chairman and Academic Director of the Thomas Hardy Society to find out more about Hardy's Justice of the Peace role.
Sat 31st May - 12:00am
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Thomas Hardy Society Birthday Weekend
Celebration of Thomas Hardy's Birthday with The Thomas Hardy Society
Sat 31st May - All day
and 1 future schedules
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Art in the Park 2025
We are thrilled to announce the date for Art in the Park 2025 – Saturday 31st May 2025 10am to 4pm
Sat 31st May - All day Saturday 31st May 10am to 4pm
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Dorchester Repair Cafe
The amazing repairers will be waiting for you, ready to tackle your broken clocks, clothes, small appliances and more!
Sat 31st May - 10:00am
and 4 future schedules
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Music from the Courts of Europe – Courtlye Musick and Ars Nova
A free concert of early music with refreshments available.
Sat 31st May - 3:00pm
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Jun 2025

A Beautiful Thread: Thomas Hardy in Words and Music
A Beautiful Thread celebrates Thomas Hardy in his own words: poetry, novels, and the music he loved so much With Anton Lesser and Orchestra of the Swan.
Sun 1st Jun - 3:00pm
and 1 future schedules
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Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night – The Lord Chamberlain’s Men
The Lord Chamberlain's Men will return to Dorchester Arts next June to perform Shakespeare's Twelfth Night in the gardens of Athelhampton House
Thu 5th Jun - 7:00pm
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Preseli Pete playing at the Convivial Rabbit
Preseli Pete playing at the Convivial Rabbit
Fri 13th Jun - 7:30pm
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Stampede by the Sea – Farewell Event
West Dorset's sculpture trail comes to Dorchester in a special exhibition!
Sat 14th Jun - All day
and 4 future schedules
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Stampede by the Sea – Auction
West Dorset sculpture trail will be auctioned to raise funds for Weldmar Hospicecare!
Thu 19th Jun - All day
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The Wind in the Willows – Outdoor Theatre at Athelhampton
Pack your picnics and join Ratty, Mole, Badger, and the fantastically irrepressible Toad as they embark on the adventure of a lifetime culminating in a colourful battle to save Toad Hall from the mischievous weasels!
Sat 21st Jun - 5:00pm
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Summer Market at Athelhampton House
For our third year, this Summer Market brings more stalls and delicious treats for you to sample and purchase. Along side Gifts and much much more....
Sat 28th Jun - All day - 10am to 3pm
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Jul 2025

Empire, the West Country and Thomas Hardy | Corinne Fowler and Rena Jackson
This joint talk explores the British Empire's impact on the West County, examining Dorset's colonial connections, imperial wealth, and literary responses, including Thomas Hardy's portrayal of global influences in Wessex.
Fri 4th Jul - 6:00pm
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Bournemouth Sinfonietta Choir – Athelhampton: A Musical Portrait
Intimate event with the opportunity to explore this wonderful house and gardens.
Sat 5th Jul - 5:30pm
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The Battle for Normandy – Hill 112
Drinks reception followed by a special talk on the Dorsetshire Regiment at Dunkirk
Fri 11th Jul - 6:30pm
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‘The Shadow on the Stone’: Hardy and Archaeology | Mark Damon Chutter
Join Mark Damon Chutter, the Chairman and Academic Director of the Thomas Hardy Society, for this special talk as part of our Festival of Archaeology programme.
Wed 23rd Jul - 11:00am
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Fraught with high tragedy: new insights on the Maiden Castle Iron Age ‘War Cemetery’ | Dr Martin Smith
This talk presents new work by archaeologists from Bournemouth University, that has used radiocarbon dating to arrive at new conclusions regarding the dead of Maiden Castle and why they were laid to rest within the ramparts of this iconic site.
Thu 24th Jul - 6:00pm
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Aug 2025

Jane Austen and the Sea | Lizzie Dunford
Join Jane Austen's House Director Lizzie Dunford for this illustrated talk exploring the connections of Britain's greatest writer with the coast that surrounds our islands.
Fri 1st Aug - 6:00pm
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Thomas Hardy: The Novels, The Novelist and Dorchester
Saturday 2nd August 2025 from 2pm at Shire Hall. Join Alban O'Brien for this evocative talk which will take you on a Journey through Hardy's Dorchester and his novels.
Sat 2nd Aug - 2:00pm
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Jane Eyre – Outdoor Theatre at Athelhampton House
Join Chapterhouse Theatre Company as we bring the windswept moorland of Brontë’s masterpiece to life in open air.
Sat 2nd Aug - 6:00pm
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The Big Bad Wolf – Outdoor Theatre at Athelhampton House
The Big Bad Wolf - a rock and roll musical for the whole family following the scheming life of Fairytale Land’s most notorious baddy... The Big Bad Wolf
Sat 16th Aug - 5:00pm
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Stand-up Comedy as part of the Festival of Palestinian Culture
Palestinian Comedy Night as part of the wider Dorchester Festival of Palestinian Culture. Join us for what will be an entertaining evening of hilarious comedy from a fantastic line up of comedians. The show will provide a mixture of comedians from both Palestinian and non-Palestinian heritage.
Fri 29th Aug - 7:30pm
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A Night of Conscious Rap, Rhymes & Rhythms
Come join us for an evening filled with words that speak to the mind, rhythms that move the body, and rhymes that stir the soul.
Sat 30th Aug - 8:00pm
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Sep 2025

Writing Jane Austen | Gill Hornby in Conversation with Tracy Chevalier
Join bestselling author, Gill Hornby for a captivating evening as she discusses her writing inspired by the world of Jane Austen with writer Tracy Chevalier.
Fri 5th Sep - 6:00pm
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Abba by Moonlight at Athelhampton House
Athelhampton & Chapterhouse present one of the most entertaining and exhilarating events of the summer.
Sat 6th Sep - 5:30pm
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Oct 2025

Autumn Market
For our second year this popular Autumn Market brings more stalls and all nice things in preparation for Winter hibernation and dare i say some 'early Christmas shopping
Sat 11th Oct - 10:00am
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Athelhampton’s Tudor Living History Week
Visit Athelhampton, one of England's finest Tudor Manor Houses surrounded by stunning architectural gardens with the bonus of being able to join in this special Half Term Event
Mon 27th Oct - All day
and 4 future schedules
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Nov 2025

Dorset Food and Drink Winter Fair
Winter Food and Drink Fair at Athelhampton House
Sat 8th Nov - 10:00am
and 1 future schedules
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Jul 2026

2026 International Thomas Hardy Conference and Festival
2026 International Thomas Hardy Conference and Festival
Sat 25th Jul - All day
and 7 future schedules
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