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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Summer Skate
19th July-3rd November 2024
Venue: Bournemouth Lower Gardens
Website: www.summerskate.co.uk
Roller rink, yoga and fitness, movie nights, live music
Wildlife Photographer Of The Year
19th July-3rd November 2024
Venue: Dorset Museum and Art Gallery
Website: www.dorsetmuseum.org
Exhibition with over 100 powerful photographs capturing fascinating animal behaviour, spectacular species and the beauty of our planet
Lyme Eats Boutique
20th-20th September 2024
Venue: Lyme Regis
Website: www.uniqueboutiqueevents.co.uk
Evening street food market atop the sea wall
Open Day in Aid of the National Gardens Scheme
20th-20th September 2024
Venue: Knoll Gardens
Website: www.knollgardens.co.uk
No booking required by normal admission charge applies which will donated to the NGS
Apple Weekend
21st-22nd September 2024
Venue: The Ancient Technology Centre
Website: www.ancienttechnologycentre.com
Celebration of the apple harvest, apple pressing, rural craft displays and more
Axminster Carnival
21st-21st September 2024
Venue: Axminster
Website: www.facebook.com/axminstercarnival
Carnival events - see the website for details
Cirque: The Greatest Show
21st-21st September 2024
Venue: Bournemouth Pavilion
Website: www.bournemouthpavilion.co.uk
Show with musical theatre showstoppers and jaw-dropping circus
Dorset Bird Festival
21st-21st September 2024
Venue: Talks, guided walks, demos, locall sourced foods and more
Website: www.events.rspb.org.uk
talks, guided walks, demos, locally sourced foods and more
Early Bird Walk and Breakfast
21st-21st September 2024
Venue: Brownsea Island
Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/dorset/brownseaisland
Be led on a wander around the island, lakes and lagoon followed by a breakfast. Booking essential.
Meet a Moth
21st-21st September 2024
Venue: Durlston Country park
Website: www.durlston.co.uk
Join one of the Durlston volunteers to open up last night's moth traps
Miniature Steam Festival on Poole Quay
21st-21st September 2024
Venue: Poole Quay
Website: www.steamheritage.co.uk
Celebrate the sights, sounds and smells of the age of steam when mini traction engines go to Poole Quay
Nature and Wellbeing Fair
21st-21st September 2024
Venue: Swanage Seafront
Website: www.planetpurbeack.org
Live music and family activities, local projects and community groups
Ringwood Carnival
21st-21st September 2024
Venue: Ringwood
Website: www.ringwoodcarnival.org
Festival of fun supporting the local community - see the website for the full details
Cirque: The Greatest Show
22nd-22nd September 2024
Venue: Plymouth Pavilions
Website: www.plymouthpavilions.com
The very best of musical theatre showstoppers meets jaw-dropping circus spectacular
Wessex Heavy Horse Show and Country
22nd-22nd September 2024
Website: www.wessexheavyhorsesociety.co.uk
Heavy horse themed show with lots of activities - see website for details
Tiger Day Autumn
28th-28th September 2024
Venue: The Tank Museum
Website: www.tankmuseum.org
See a WWII tank display and explore The Tank Museum on a day dedicated to the world's most infamous tank
Gillingham Carnival Week
29th September-5th October 2024
Venue: Gillingham
Website: www.gillinghamcarnival.org.uk
See the website for details of events - main procession on 5th October
Paws for Fort
29th-29th September 2024
Venue: Nothe Fort
Website: www.nothefort.org.uk
Dog themed event - see the website for eent
Treasure Island
4th-5th October 2024
Venue: Queen's Theatre
Website: www.queenstheatre-barnstaple.com/event/treasure-island
Performance of the swashbuckling, smash-hot comedy for all the family from Le Navet Bete and Barbican Theatre
Weymouth Pirate Fest
4th-6th October 2024
Venue: Weymouth
Website: www.facebook.com/weymouthpiratefest
See the website for details
Autumn Craft Fair
5th-5th October 2024
Venue: Allendale Community Centre
Website: www.theallendale.org
Discover a wide range of handcrafted treasures and unique creations made by talented
Grandparents Day at Farmer Palmer's Farm Park
5th-6th October 2024
Venue: Farmer Palmer's Farm Park
Website: www.farmerpalmers.co.uk
See the website for details of the half-price tickets and book
Harold and the Purple Crayon
5th-5th October 2024
Venue: The Beehive
Website: www.beehivehoniton.co.uk
Screening of the new live action adaptation of the much loved children’s book
Henry Clutterbuck and the Musicians of Bremen
5th-5th October 2024
Venue: Pavilions Teignmouth
Website: www.pavilionsteignmouth.org.uk
Stage performance for ages 3 to 10 and their families in this classic fairytale of friendship and courage set in an old curiosity shop.
Pirate Weekend
5th-6th October 2024
Venue: Nothe Fort
Website: www.nothefort.org.uk
Day of family-friendly adventure with pirate themed activities - see the website for details
Sherborne Digby Hall Monthly Market
5th-5th October 2024
Venue: The Digby Memorial Hall
Address: Sherborne
Website: www.facebook.com/sherbornedigbyhallmontlymarket
Montly market of antiques, arts, crafts, food and more
Quiet at the Aquarium
6th-6th October 2024
Venue: SeaLife Weymouth
Website: www.visitsealife.com/weymouth
Discover the range of fascinating creatures from sharks to seahorses while the centre is quieter to create a more enjoyable experience for those with sensory sensitivities
The Magic Bookmark
6th-6th October 2024
Venue: Exeter Phoenix
Website: www.exeterphoenix.org.uk
Join Mama G on a brand new, award winning, panto adventure for the whole family with panto fun, interaction, song and dance, puppetry and some of the finest picture books currently on the market
Little Murmur
7th-9th October 2024
Venue: Theatre Royal Plymouth
Website: www.theatreroyal.com
Dance theatre show for everyone age 7+ featuring ground-breaking projection, an extraordinary soundscapre and a blizzard of paper and confetti
Dorchester Literary Festival
12th-19th October 2024
Venue: Dorchester
Website: www.dorchesterliteraryfestival.com
Literary festival with children's programme - see website for details
PYO Pumpkins
12th-27th October 2024
Venue: Gulliver's Farm Shop
Website: www.gulliversfarmshop.co.uk
Craft activities for kids to stir creativity and an exciting nature trail
The Greates Magician - An Evening of Wonders
12th-12th October 2024
Venue: Babbacombe Theatre
Website: www.babbacombe-theatre.com
Magic show from James Phelan
A Night at The Tank Museum
19th-19th October 2024
Venue: The Tank Museum
Website: www.tankmuseum.org
Sleep amongst the world’s most iconic historic tanks and enjoy activities, movies and food
Pumpkin Fest
19th-20th October 2024
Venue: 45585
Website: www.gulliversfarmshop.co.uk
Pick your own pumpkins, craft activities, nature trail, tractor rides, live music, maze, pumpkin bowling alley, farm animals and crafts.
Quiet mornings at The Tank Museum
19th-19th October 2024
Venue: The Tank Museum
Website: www.tankmuseum.org
Session primarily for, but not limited to, families of children with autism, young people and adults with autism, children with social, emotional or mental health needs and any other visitors with sensory...
Weymouth Beach Race
20th-20th October 2024
Venue: Weymouth
Website: www.amca.uk.com
Motocross event - see website for details
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