Primary Times - the definitive what’s on and where to go family guide of activities and events for children of primary school age. Things to do with your kids during the school holidays including arts and craft activities, music and theatre for children, parties, competitions, days out, and family attractions along with term time drama schools, dance classes, after school clubs and sports activities. Things to do at a place near you!
What's On in Dorset
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Pliosaur the Terrifying Sea Rex
1st-2nd January 2026
Venue: Museum of Jurassic Marine Life - The Etches Collection
Website: www.theetchescollection.org/giant-sea-monster
See the amazing Pliosaur skull discovery and learn more aobut how it lived, hunted and died in the Jurassic seas of Kimmeridge
Giant Sea Monster
1st-1st January 2026
Venue: The Etches Collection
Website: www.theetetchescollection.org
See the Pliosaur skull discovery and learn more about how it lived, hunted and died
Jane Austen: Down to the Sea
14th June-14th September 2025
Venue: Dorset Museum
Website: www.dorsetmuseum.org
Exhibiton exploring the sea as a setting for Jane Austen's ficitonal worlds and its influence on her
Summer at Monkey World
1st July-31st August 2025
Venue: Monkey World
Website: www.monkeyworld.org
Celebrate summer at Monkey World with activities, themed weeks and the Children's Activity Centre open daily for crafts, fun and learning
Summer Fun at Monkey World
1st July-31st August 2025
Venue: Monkey World Ape Rescue Centre
Website: www.monkeyworld.org
Celebrate summer at Monkey World with activities, themed weeks and the Children's Activity Centre open daily for crafts, fun and learning
Adventure Valley Land Rovers
19th July-31st August 2025
Venue: Moors Valley
Website: www.moors-valley.co.uk
Navigate through an off-road journey in mini electric Land Rovers
Keeper of the Castle: Storytelling tours
19th July-31st August 2025
Venue: Corfe Cstle
Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/dorset/corfe-castle
Family friendly event where you will be immersed in key events in the Castle's history
Moors Valley Railway
19th July-7th September 2025
Venue: Moors Valley Country Park
Website: www.moors-valley.co.uk
Enjoy a ride on an authentic steam train around Moors Valley
Summer Holiday: Season of STEM
19th July-2nd September 2025
Venue: The Tank Museum
Website: www.tankmuseum.org
Interactive exhibitions, 300 tanks, STEM- themed activities and more
Summer of Play
19th July-7th September 2025
Venue: Kingston Lacy
Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/dorset/kingston-lacy
Summer activities for families as well as pop-up events - see the website for details
Summer of Play at Corfe Castle
19th July-7th September 2025
Venue: Kingston Lacy
Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/dorset/kingston-lacy
Summer themed activities and pop-up events - see website for details
Summer Wellbeing Challenge Summer Holidays
20th July-7th September 2025
Venue: Highcliffe Castle
Website: www.hgihcliffecastle.co.uk
Outdoor challenge trail promoting positive wellbeing and indoor activities and crafts
Museum Adventures at the Museum
21st July-6th September 2025
Venue: Museum of East Dorset
Website: www.museumofeastdorset.co.uk
The world of Minecraft comes to the Museum on the summer family trail
Amazing Animals and Brilliant Botanicals
23rd July-31st August 2025
Venue: Russell Cotes Art Gallery and Museum
Website: www.russellcotes.com
Inspired by the May Morris exhibition, the summer holidays activities are all themed around animals, plants and nature
Summer of Play at Brownsea Island
24th July-31st August 2025
Venue: Brownsea Island
Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/dorset/brownsea-island
Embark on a crayon rubbing trail filled and fun activites and games for the the whole family
Sherborne Castle and Gardens Children's Nature Trail
26th July-31st August 2025
Venue: Sherborne Castle
Website: www.sherbornecastle.com
Family fun nature trail in the gardens, follow the trail discovering facts and solve the clues along the way
End of the Road Festival
28th-31st August 2025
Venue: Larmer Tree Gardens
Website: www.endoftheroadfestival.com
Music festival - see the website for the full details
Dinosaur World Live
29th-31st August 2025
Venue: Lighthouse Poole
Website: www.lighthousepoole.co.uk
Dinosaur themed show recommended for ages 3+ with a special meet and greet after the show
Lyme Folk Weekend
29th-31st August 2025
Venue: Lyme Regis
Website: www.lymefolk.com
See the website for the full line-up
Lyme Folk Weekend
29th-31st August 2025
Venue: Lyme Regis
Website: www.lymefolk.com
See the line-up for full details
Portland Rocks
29th-31st August 2025
Venue: Portland
Website: www.portlandrocks.co.uk
Three day family charity music event
Festival of Palestinian Culture, Dorchester
30th-30th August 2025
Venue: The Borough Gardens
Website: www.dorsetpsc.blogspot.com
Workshops, food stalls, kids activities, live storytelling and arts and crafts
Fox and Cubs' dads and kids activity session
30th-30th August 2025
Venue: Upton Country Park
Website: www.uptoncountrypark.com
Find out more about the nature on your doorstep by getting active and creative at these monthly Fox and Cubs sessions
Leweston Vibes, Leweston
30th-30th August 2025
Venue: Leweston
Website: www.sherbornechamber.co.uk
Vibrant day filled with live music, entertainment, shopping and more
The Ed Sheeran Experience
30th-30th August 2025
Venue: Weymouth Pavilion
Website: www.weymouthpavilion.com
Ed Sheeran tribute show
Weymouth Inflatable Theme Park
30th-31st August 2025
Venue: Weymouth
Website: www.facebook.com/inflatablethemeparkscornwall
Access to 15 large bouncy castles, under 5s soft play zone and refreshments
Abbotsbury Plant Fair
31st-31st August 2025
Venue: Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens
Website: www.abbotsburygardens.co.uk
Over 30 specialist nurseries, growers and more
Sunday Funday at The Greyhound
31st-31st August 2025
Venue: The Greyhound Inn
Website: www.greyhound-blandford.co.uk
See the website for details
Purbeck International Music Festival
4th-7th September 2025
Venue: Various locations
Website: www.picmf.org
See the website for the full line-up
Classic and Steam Vehicle Show
5th-7th September 2025
Venue: Norden, Corfe Castle, BH20
Website: www.bppclub.co.uk/classic-and-steam-vehicle-show
See the website for details
Swanage Folk Festival
5th-7th September 2025
Venue: Swanage
Website: www.swanagefolkfestival.com
Concerts, dance, music and dance workshops, children's activities, sessions and ceilidh
Abba By Moonlight
6th-6th September 2025
Venue: Athelhampton House and Gardens
Website: www.athelhampton.com
ABBA themed show
Bournemouth Vegan Festival
6th-6th September 2025
Venue: The Citygate Centre, Bournemouth
Website: www.veganeventsuk.co.uk
70 stalls including food, beauty and skincare products and more
Bridport Hat Festival
6th-6th September 2025
Venue: Bridport
Website: www.bridporthatfest.org
Hats, show, music, stalls, competitions and more
Civil War Re-enactment Weekend
6th-7th September 2025
Venue: Corfe Castle
Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/dorset/corfe-castle
See the website for details
Dorset County Show
6th-7th September 2025
Venue: Dorchester
Website: www.dorsetcountyshow.co.uk
See the website for the full line-up
Quiet Opening at Dorset Museum
6th-6th September 2025
Venue: Dorset Museum
Website: www.dorsetmuseum.org
Explore the Museum and take part in drop-in activities during the Quiet Openings
The Iguandon Restaurant
6th-6th September 2025
Venue: Blandford Museum
Website: www.emeraldant.com/iguanadon-restaurant
Outdoor theatre show for all the family, set in and around a Victorian iguandon
Swanage Railway Autumn Steam Gala
12th-14th September 2025
Venue: swanage Railway
Website: www.swanagerailway.co.uk
See the website for details
Open Farm Family Fun Day
13th-13th September 2025
Venue: GulliversFarm Shop
Website: www.gulliversfarmshop.co.uk
Countryside celebration with animals, tractor rides, live music, farm food, crafts and kids activities
Seafood and Sounds
13th-14th September 2025
Venue: Poole Quay
Website: www.seafoodandsounds.co.uk
Community event - free to attend - see website for details
Sturminster Newton Cheese Festival
13th-13th September 2025
Venue: Struminster Newton
Website: www.cheesefestival.co.uk
Artisan food, cheese, crafts and live music
Protest
5th-9th March 2024
Venue: Theatre Royal Plymouth
Website: https://theatreroyal.com/whats-on/protest/
For ages 7+. Running is Alice’s happy place – you might even say it’s in her DNA. She’s the best runner at her school but is struggling to prove her worth. Jade is slowly coming to realise that...
30% off Oceanarium memberships
Venue: Oceanarium
Address: Bournemouth
Website: www.oceanarium.co.uk
See the website for details
Attenborough's Giant Sea Monster - Sea Rex
Venue: The Etches Collection
Website: www.theetchescollection.org/giant-sea-monster
Pliosaur Skull Discovery - see the amazing creature and learn more about how it lived, hunted and died in the Jurassic seas of Kimmeridge 150 years ago
Beautiful Bournemouth Mini Exhibition
Venue: Russell Cotes Museum
Website: www.russellcotes.com
Discover the evolution of Bournemouth through this display in the Print Room
Easter Hunt at Moors Valley Country Park
Venue: Moors Valley Country Park
Website: www.moors-valley.co.uk/easter
Find the hidden giant Easter egg shapes around Moors Valley - solve the riddles, spot the eggs and write down the letters to work out the hidden answer
Fantazy
Venue: Babbacombe Theatre
Website: www.babbacombe-theatre.com
Variety show with comedy, illusion, vocalists and dance
Pieces of our Past
Venue: Highcliffe Castle
Website: www.highcliffecastle.co.uk
Experience the history of the Castle with never before seen photographs and artefacts
Rebellion and Revolt
Venue: Museum of East Dorset
Website: www.museumofeastdorset.co.uk
Thought provoking exhibit delving into two pivotal national struggles that profoundly impacted Dorset: the English Civil War of the 1640s and the Monmouth Rebellion of 1685. Themed trail around the Museum,...
West Bay In The War
Venue: West Bay Discovery Centre
Website: www.westbaydiscoverycentre.org.uk
Discover what happened locally in WW2. Find out about local memories, coast defences and more