What’s On
Event types
87 upcoming events
Nov 2024
Searching for the Motherland
This emotive photography exhibition at Shire Hall Museum offers an intimate insight into the lives of the Windrush generation, 25 years after their arrival in the UK.
Mon 11th Nov - All day
and 4 future schedules
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Community Quilt Display
The Community Quilt is a collaborative project where community groups and individuals crafted small squares that were then joined together to create a quilt to display in the Alice Ellen Cooper Dean Community Space at Dorset Museum & Art Gallery.
Mon 11th Nov - All day
and 108 future schedules
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Spinning a Yarn – Hooks, Needles and Pins
Do you love to crochet, knit or sew?
Mon 11th Nov - 10:00am
and 3 future schedules
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Christmas Decoration – Festive Workshop
Join us for a embroidered Christmas decoration workshop.
Tue 12th Nov - 2:00pm
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Afterschool Club
Join Jen for these afterschool sessions at the Crafty Cuppa. Each session will be full of creative fun. The Children will have access to a large variety of craft materials and will be encouraged to create things they wish to create. There will be a craft planned if any child needs guidance but generally this session is designed to organically work with the child to support their interests. Parents are asked to stay on site but not in the workshop as we have found children don’t respond as well with parents in the room. We ask for at least one parent to stay in the cafe in case there is an emergency or situation, this saves filling in paperwork. This club is designed for children between 4 and 9 Years old.
Wed 13th Nov - 4:00pm
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“At the Chapel” Pop Up Bakery
Pop along every Thursday for scrumptious baked goodies including their signature traditional breads, croissants, savouries, quiches, doughnuts, cruffins, and fabulous cakes.
Thu 14th Nov - 9:00am
and 5 future schedules
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If Music be the Food of Love
A unique opportunity to experience the magic of Shakespeare's world brought to life through music and storytelling.
Thu 14th Nov - 7:30pm
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Friday Sessions: DJ & 2 for £15 Cocktails
Friday Sessions at The King's Arms: DJ & 2 for £15 cocktails
Fri 15th Nov - 6:00pm
and 2 future schedules
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There’s Something About Typhoid Mary (Living Spit)
Irish immigrant. Cook. Amiable host. Killer?
Fri 15th Nov - 7:30pm
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Festive Bazaar
Dorset Art Girls present their festive bazaar.
Sat 16th Nov - 10:00am
and 1 future schedules
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Hardy and his Relationships Walk with Mark Damon Chutter
Free guided walk around Hardy's Dorchester and Fordington.
Sat 16th Nov - 2:00pm
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Book Launch ‘Thomas Hardy and the death of Emma’
Book Launch ‘Thomas Hardy and the death of Emma - What the writings reveal ‘ by Andrew Norman
Sat 16th Nov - 6:00pm
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This Flight Tonight: The Songs of Joni Mitchell
An intimate five-piece acoustic live tribute to the music of Joni Mitchell.
Sat 16th Nov - 7:30pm
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The Boot Hill All Stars & Monkey Bizzle Double Header
A double header this November with The Boot Hill All Stars and Monkey Bizzle.
Sat 16th Nov - 9:00pm
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Board Game Afternoon
Bring your favourite board game and meet like minded people.
Sun 17th Nov - 3:00pm
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Become A Dementia Friend Workshop
Join us for this free interactive Information Session to learn how dementia affects a person and what you can do to make a difference on 19 November at Dorset Museum & Art Gallery.
Tue 19th Nov - 2:00pm
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Collections Discovery Centre Tour
Join our Collections Team for an opportunity to explore behind the scenes in Dorset Museum & Art Gallery's Collections Discovery Centre.
Wed 20th Nov - 2:00pm
and 1 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 21st Nov - 10:00am
and 2 future schedules
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Fused Glass – 22nd November 2024
Come and join Vicky in this festive class as she guides you through the process of making glass tea lights. or if you would rather you can make a hanging piece to hang in the window. Vicky will bring a huge selection of glass with her for you to choose from. Then once your creation is finished she will take it to her studio and fire it and return for you to collect from the cafe. book directly at vsmitch1973@gmail.com
Fri 22nd Nov - 2:00pm
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Dorchester Drama’s production of Blithe Spirit
Dorchester Drama's production of Blithe Spirit, which is at the Corn Exchange on Friday and Saturday, November 22 and 23.
Fri 22nd Nov - 7:30pm
and 2 future schedules
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Dorchester Christmas Market
Brewery Square is transforming into a winter wonderland!
Sat 23rd Nov - All day
and 29 future schedules
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Santa’s Grotto
Santa and his cheerful elf will be waiting to meet you in their magical Grotto
Sat 23rd Nov - All day
and 29 future schedules
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Shire Hall Christmas Market
Join us at Shire Hall for our Christmas Market!
Sat 23rd Nov - 10:00am
and 1 future schedules
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Art in Poundbury Winter Exhibition
This years theme is 'A Hive of Creativity'.
Sat 23rd Nov - 10:00am
and 8 future schedules
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Second-hand Book Fair
Dorset Museum & Art Gallery’s second-hand book fair will return on Saturday 23 November from 10:00am to 4:00pm.
Sat 23rd Nov - 10:00am
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Christmas Lights Switch On
We're bringing you a sleigh load of festivities such as live music and entertainment, skating, balloon modelling, stilt walkers and the brand new Dorchester Christmas Market and Santa's Grotto all launching on the same evening.
Sat 23rd Nov - 5:30pm
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Festive Quiz Night – 23rd November 2024
Festive quiz night at the Crafty Cuppa. Bring your friends and enjoy a giggle. Also try to answer some questions but will the quiz master beat you?
Sat 23rd Nov - 6:30pm
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Dorset Chamber Orchestra Concert at St Mary’s Church, Saturday 23rd November
Dorset Chamber Orchestra's 2024-2025 Season continues on Saturday 23rd November with an enchanting evening of classical music at 7:30pm in its regular venue, St. Mary’s Church, Edward Road, Dorchester.
Sat 23rd Nov - 7:30pm
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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 24th Nov - 10:00am
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JUMP
Field recordings of insects and amphibians combine with live and multi-tracked clarinets to take audiences on an enchanting musical journey through a symphony of small voices.
Sun 24th Nov - 2:00pm
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Advent Concert by The Occasional Singers
Taking us from 1607 through to the present day, the songs and carols will range from contemplative to joyful.
Sun 24th Nov - 3:00pm
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The Literary Landscapes of Dorset with Kevan Manwaring
In this talk, writer and academic Dr Kevan Manwaring will offer an entertaining guided tour of Dorset's rich literary heritage.
Wed 27th Nov - 7:00pm
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Lucy Cavendish: How to have extraordinary relationships (with absolutely everybody)
Join us for an evening with Lucy Cavendish, author of How to Have Extraordinary Relationships (with absolutely everybody)
Wed 27th Nov - 7:00pm
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Mark Thomas: Gaffa Tapes
Jokes, rants, politics, play and the occasional sing song.
Wed 27th Nov - 7:30pm
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A day of Christmas crafts & lunch!
Christmas craft workshop with lunch at The King's Arms
Thu 28th Nov - All day
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Bright Places (Carbon Theatre)
A three-woman, one-woman show about Multiple Sclerosis.
Thu 28th Nov - 7:30pm
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Macrame Christmas Tree Workshop
Welcome to our Macrame Christmas Tree Workshop! Join Jackie from Bonnie Lass Create on Fri Nov 29 2024 at 11:30 AM at Crafty Cuppa in Dorchester for a fun and festive crafting experience. Learn how to create your very own unique macrame Christmas tree to decorate your home for the festive season. No experience necessary, all materials will be provided. Come along and get into the festive spirit with us!
Fri 29th Nov - 11:30am
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Vintage, Pre-Loved & Thrift Sale
Get Christmas ready with our sustainable clothing event.
Fri 29th Nov - 7:30pm
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A Kingston Christmas – Kingston Maurward Christmas
This Christmas, Kingston Maurward is set to transform into a winter wonderland as it welcomes Santa Claus himself for an exclusive, enchanting event created by Dorset based producers, ABC (Andy Brennan Creative).
Sat 30th Nov - All day
and 7 future schedules
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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 30th Nov - 10:00am
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Festive Brush Pen Calligraphy
Join Nicky at another of her popular calligraphy classes as she teaches you the basics of brush pen calligraphy. In the 2 hours you will get a chance to learn a variety of calligraphy techniques and make at least one festive card. All materials are included in the class and if you wish to purchase more she always brings extra. This class is ideal for beginners.
Sat 30th Nov - 2:00pm
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U18 Open Mic Night
Join us at Vinyl Van for a night of great music, spoken word, DJ’ing, magic, comedy and more.
Sat 30th Nov - 6:00pm
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An Actor Convalescing In Devon
An actor boards a train from Waterloo, opting for the meandering, romantic route to the West Country for a weekend with an old friend.
Sat 30th Nov - 7:30pm
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Dec 2024
Culture Club | Festive Workshop: Wreath Making
Join us for a fun and festive workshop with Sage and Fern Florist's Jenny Lee-Baker, and create a beautiful hand-made wreath to decorate your home this festive season.
Mon 2nd Dec - 6:30pm
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The Secret Garden Christmas Wreath Workshop
Join us at The Secret Garden this December for a festive wreath workshop with Jay and Jem from Floral Couture By Jay!
Tue 3rd Dec - 6:00pm
and 1 future schedules
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Julia’s House Christmas Carols
Julia’s House presents a musical celebration at St. Mary’s Church on 3rd December 2024. Welcome in the festive season with a magical evening of Christmas carols and help support local families caring for seriously ill children this Christmas.
Tue 3rd Dec - 7:00pm
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Papercraft Club –
Do you love to create cards or partial to a bit of scrapbooking? Why not bring your project along or work on something new at our papercraft club! This is a social club for fellow crafters with lots of donated materials and tools to use to help create your projects. We have been very fortunate to have supplies and tools donated or sold cheaply to the cafe so we can offer a social club for those who can’t afford to buy things to craft with and also to try to encourage a social environment where we are all equal. We wish to encourage you to use the materials we have to offer but only take what you create. Jen or Sue will be in the workshop to help with machinery, techniques or ideas you would love to try. We hope to run this group regularly so it would be great to get your feedback.
Wed 4th Dec - 11:30am
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Talk: 150 Years of Courtroom Drama
Join Shire Hall Museum's Learning Manager Anne Brown to explore the fascinating stories of people taken through our historic courtroom.
Sat 7th Dec - 2:00pm
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Festive Fused Glass
Come and join Vicky in this festive class as she guides you through the process of making glass tea lights. or if you would rather you can make a hanging piece to hang in the window. Vicky will bring a huge selection of glass with her for you to choose from. Then once your creation is finished she will take it to her studio and fire it and return for you to collect from the cafe. book directly at vsmitch1973@gmail.com
Sat 7th Dec - 2:00pm
VIEW
Dorchester Prison Zombie Experience
Zombie Infection are taking the fight to Dorchester Prison, this new event format will have you choosing a side and racing to save your own around this huge complex
Sat 7th Dec - 5:00pm
and 2 future schedules
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Christmas Wreath Workshop
Back by popular demand fresh foliage festive wreath!
Wed 11th Dec - 1:00pm
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A People Apart: New Scientific Insights into Life, Death and Society in Iron Age Dorset
In this lecture, Dr Martin Smith presents the latest findings of an archaeological project investigating life, death and society in Iron Age Dorset including the exciting results from DNA analysis.
Thu 12th Dec - 7:00pm
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Dorchester Christmas Cracker
The Dorchester Christmas event on Sunday 15 Dec 2024 from 11am-4pm. Loads to see and do in the Corn Exchange, the Cornhill, South Street, Trinity Street and High West Street.
Sun 15th Dec - 11:00am
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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 19th Dec - 6:30pm
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Christmas at Athelhampton
Come and have a guided tour of all of the Hardy connections with this Tudor building. There will be a tour and walk followed by an afternoon tea.
Sat 21st Dec - 12:00pm
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Jan 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.
Sat 25th Jan - All day
and 106 future schedules
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Talk: The Keep Military Museum by Elliot Metcalfe
Built 1879, The Keep was originally the gatehouse for the Depot Barracks of the Dorsetshire Regiment as well as the Country Armoury. It is now the Regimental Museum.
Thu 30th Jan - 2:30pm
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Feb 2025
Hardy and Architecture Study Day
Hardy had come to believe that architecture should be celebrated precisely for the inconsistencies and imperfections
Sat 22nd Feb - 11:00am
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Talk: An Archaeological Medley by Dr Clare Randall
Episodes from Clare's life, looking at recent excavations across South West England.
Thu 27th Feb - 2:30pm
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Mar 2025
Apr 2025
Talk: The Building in Our Midst by Professor Phillip Martin
Tolpuddle Old Chapel.
Thu 24th Apr - 7:30pm
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May 2025
Talk: Victorian School Logbooks by Mike Randall
Details of everyday school life in rural Dorset.
Thu 29th May - 7:30pm
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Hardy Women: Mother, Sisters, Wives, Muses – Lecture by Paula Byrne
Event in partnership between the Thomas Hardy Society and Dorset Museum & Art Gallery
Fri 30th May - 7:30pm
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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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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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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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