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
To search the listings, enter a keyword, location and/or date in the boxes below.
When entering a location, select the best location match from the list that appears, then click Go.
Click here to clear your search.
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
An Architectural Adventure - family quest
19th July-28th August 2025
Venue: Corfe Castle
Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/dorset/corfe-castle
Family quest to learn about all the different sections that make up a great castle
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
Marvellous Meadows Children's Trail
19th July-11th August 2025
Venue: Durlston Country Park
Website: www.durlston.co.uk
Trail aorund the park to learn more about what makes the meadows special
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
Summer of Play at Shell Bay
30th July-27th August 2025
Venue: Shell Bay
Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/dorset/studland-bay
Enjoy a range to suit a variety of interests and ages including giant snakes and ladders, badminton, volleyball and sensory play throughout the school summer holidays
Disney Through the Decades
31st July-28th August 2025
Venue: Farmer Palmer's Farm Park
Website: www.farmerpalmers.co.uk
See the website for details
Lyme Regis Regatta and Carnival Week
1st-9th August 2025
Venue: Lyme Regis
Website: www.lymeregiscarnival.co.uk
Week packed full of fun events while raising money for local good causes - see the website for details
Surf Life Saving Club GB National Surf Championships 2025
2nd-9th August 2025
Venue: Weymouth Beach
Website: www.slsgb.org.uk
See the website for details
Get Hooked on Fishing
5th-20th August 2025
Venue: Moors Valley
Website: www.moors-valley.co.uk
For children aged 8+. Activity for those brand new to fishing or who already have experience with friendly, qualified coaches
Classical Extravaganza
8th-8th August 2025
Venue: Meyrick Park in Bournemouth
Website: www.bsolive.com
Evening of symphonic music with pyrotechnic and fireworks finale
Dino tales: Jurassic Rescue
8th-8th August 2025
Venue: Bournemouth Pavilion
Website: www.bournemouthpavilion.co.uk
Dinosaur themed show with a captivating story, interactive activiteis and an immersive finale
Natural History Museum presents Dinosaurs Live!
8th-8th August 2025
Venue: Weymouth Pavilion
Website: www.weymouthpavilion.com
Dinosaur themed show recommended for ages 3+
Pride and Prjudice
8th-8th August 2025
Venue: Nothe Fort
Website: www.nothefort.org.uk
Adaptation of the classic Jane Austen story from This is My Theatre
Purbeck Rally
8th-10th August 2025
Venue: Wareham
Website: www.purbeckrally.com
See the website for the full line-up
The Wind in the Willows
8th-8th August 2025
Venue: The Sherborne
Website: www.thesherborne.uk
Performance of Kenneth Graham's classic story from Illyria
Drawing Beach Treasures
9th-9th August 2025
Venue: Durlston Country Park
Website: www.durlston.co.uk
Workshop to learn to draw treasures on the beach for adults and children aged 8+
Ellingham Show
9th-9th August 2025
Venue: Somerley, Ringwood
Website: www.ellinghamshow.co.uk
Horse show, livestock, heavy horses, dog show, donkey show, horticulture, vintage machinery, The Arcade, Steam Engine, other attractions, classic cars, Scarecrow Competition
Steamship Shieldhall 70th birthday visit to Poole
9th-11th August 2025
Venue: Poole
Website: www.fid.bcpcouncil.gov.uk
See the website for details
Swanage Lifeboat Week
9th-17th August 2025
Venue: Swanage
Website: www.rnli.org.uk/find-may-nearest/events
See the website for details
Symphonic Smash Hits - The 80s
9th-9th August 2025
Venue: Meyrick Park in Bournemouth
Website: www.bsolive.com
Evening of smash hits of the 80s
The Winter's Tale
9th-22nd August 2025
Venue: Brownsea Open Air Theatre at Canford School, Wimborne
Website: www.brownsea-theatre.co.uk
Open air Shakespeare production
Bridport Carnival Week 2025
10th-17th August 2025
Venue: Bridport
Website: www.bridportcarnival.co.uk
See the website for schedule of events
Cirque: The Greatest Show - Reimagined
10th-10th August 2025
Venue: Weymouth Pavilion
Website: www.weymouthpavilion.com
Fusion of musical theatre and circus acts
Country Dog Show
10th-10th August 2025
Venue: Church Knowle Rehoming and Visitor Centre, Wareham
Website: www.margaretgreenanimalrescue.org.uk
Fun dog show, have-a-go agility, local traders and artisans, hot food and refreshments, rescue dog reunion, games and fun for all, raffle and tombola
Dorset Knob Throwing Festival @ Cattistock Countryside
10th-10th August 2025
Venue: Off the A356 Northwest of Maiden Newton in the direction of Crewkerne
Website: www.cattistockshow.co.uk
See the website for the full details of activities
RNLI Mudeford Lifeboat Funday
10th-10th August 2025
Venue: Mudeford
Website: www.rnli.org.uk/find-may-nearest/events
Funfair, live music, DJ, lifeboat demonstrationsa and the legendary Duck Race
Treasure Island
10th-10th August 2025
Venue: Sixpenny Handley Village Hall
Website: www.artsreach.co.uk
Adaptation of the classic story with panto-style audience interaction, live music, singing and dancing and sign language throughout. Suitable for ages 4+
Treasure Island
10th-10th August 2025
Venue: Shillingstone The Portman Hall
Website: www.artsreach.co.uk
Adaptation of the classic story with panto-style audience interaction, live music, singing and dancing and sign language throughout. Suitable for ages 4+
Twelfth Night
10th-10th August 2025
Venue: Holme for Gardens
Website: www.holmeforgardens.co.uk
Outdoor performance of the classic Shakespeare play
Harvest Scarecrow Week
11th-17th August 2025
Venue: Wimborne Model Town and Gardens
Website: www.wimborne-modeltown.com
Find out more about the event at the website
Robin Hood
12th-12th August 2025
Venue: Holme for Gardens
Website: www.holmeforgardens.co.uk
Open air performance of the classic story from Folksy Theatre
Gillingham and Shaftesbury Show
13th-14th August 2025
Venue: Turnpike Showground
Website: www.gillinghamandshaftesburyshow.co.uk
Rural show with entertainment, displays, craft, livestock, stall and more
A Midsummer Night's Dream
14th-14th August 2025
Venue: Highcliffe Castle
Website: www.highcliffecastle.co.uk
Outdoor performance of the classic play from Quantum Theatre
A Midsummer Night's Dream
14th-14th August 2025
Venue: Highcliffe Castle
Website: www.threeinchfools.com
Outdoor perfromance of the Shakespeare comedy from The Three Inch Fools
A Midsummer Night's Dream
14th-14th August 2025
Venue: Highcliffe Castle
Website: www.highcliffecastle.co.uk
Open air production of Shakespeare's comedy from Three Inch Fools
Purbeck Valley Folk Festival
14th-17th August 2025
Venue: Purbeck Valley Farm
Website: www.purbeckvalleyfolkfestival.co.uk
Folk festival with workshops and kids' activities
Safe by the Sea
14th-14th August 2025
Venue: Corfe Mullen Library
Website: www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/libraries-history-culture
Session aimed at 4 to 8 years but all ages welcome. Fun activity session, storytime, colouring and firefighter dress-up
We Out Here Festival
14th-17th August 2025
Venue: Wimborne St Giles, Dorset
Website: www.weouttherefestival.com
Festival celebrating music, alongside wellness, family and cultural activities
A Midsummer Night's Dream
15th-15th August 2025
Venue: Winterborne Stickland Sports and Social Clube
Website: www.threeinchfools.com
Outdoor performance of the Shakespeare play from The Three Inch Fools
Beautiful Butterflies
15th-15th August 2025
Venue: Shaftesbury Library
Website: www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/libraries-history-culture
Make and decorate a beautiful butterfly
Christchurch Carnival
15th-17th August 2025
Venue: Christchurch
Website: www.christchurchcarnival.co.uk
See the website for the full schedule of events
Bridport Carnival and torchlight procession
16th-16th August 2025
Venue: Bridport
Website: www.bridportcarnival.com
See the website for details
Canford Summer Fair
16th-17th August 2025
Venue: Canford School
Website: www.thewessexeventcompany.co.uk
Fun day for the whole family with over 100 stalls, food, drink, home and garden, live music and kids entertainers
Christchurch Carnival Fireworks 2025
16th-16th August 2025
Venue: Christchurch
Website: www.christchurchcarnival.co.uk
See the website for timings
Riverside Fest 2025
16th-16th August 2025
Venue: Riverside Meadows
Line-up of music and free entertainment for kids and adults
Taylormania
16th-16th August 2025
Venue: Weymouth Pavilion
Website: www.weymouthpavilion.com
Taylor Swift tribute show
The Big Bad Wolf
16th-16th August 2025
Venue: Athelhampton House and Gardens
Website: www.athelhampton.com
Stage show for the whole family following the scheming life of the Big Bad Wolf
VJ 80 Memorial Picnic
16th-16th August 2025
Venue: Nothe Gardens
Website: www.weymouthtowncouncil.gov.uk
See the website for details
Bridport Torchlight Procession and Fireworks Display
17th-17th August 2025
Venue: Bridport Arts Centre
Website: www.bridportcarnival.co.uk
See the website for details
Christchurch Carnival Street Parade
17th-17th August 2025
Venue: Christchurch
Website: www.christchurch.oc.uk/parade
See the website for details
The Mushroom Show
18th-18th August 2025
Venue: Litton Cheney Community Hall
Website: www.artsreach.co.uk
Show full of interactive games, playful music and lots of laughs for all the family - suitable for ages 5+
The Mushroom Show
19th-19th August 2025
Venue: Alderholt Village Hall
Website: www.artsreach.co.uk
Show full of interactive games, playful music and lots of laughs for all the family - suitable for ages 5+
Garden Wildlife Safari
20th-20th August 2025
Venue: Knoll Gardens
Website: www.knollgardens.co.uk
Discover Knoll Gardens' wonderful wildlife and open up the moth tap to see what has been caught overnight,, dip the pond and discover the insects
A Midsummer Night's Dream
21st-21st August 2025
Venue: Brownsea Island
Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/uk/visit/dorset/brownsea-island
Outdoor perfromance of the Shakespeare comedy from The Three Inch Fools
A Midsummer Night's Dream
21st-22nd August 2025
Venue: Brownsea Island
Website: www.threeinchfools.com
Outdoor performance of the Shakespeare play form The Three Inch Fools
Melplash Show
21st-21st August 2025
Venue: Melplash
Website: www.melplashshow.co.uk
Show full of exhibits including livestock, horses, homecrafts and horticulture
Open Air Theatre - Midsummer Night's Dream
21st-21st August 2025
Venue: Brownsea Island
Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/dorset/brownsea-island
Outdoor performance of the Shakespeare play
Purbeck Film Festival at Corfe Castle
22nd-22nd August 2025
Venue: Purbeck Film Festival at Corfe Castle
Website: www.purbeckfilm.com
Screening of the family classic - see the website for details
Weaving flowers
22nd-22nd August 2025
Venue: Shaftesbury Library
Website: www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/libraries-history-culture
Create colourful flowers by weaving wool on paper plates
Go Nuts at Monkey World
23rd-25th August 2025
Venue: Monkey World
Website: www.monkeyworld.org
Every child who brings an unopened bag of nuts for the primates receives a free Monkey World badge over the bank holiday weekend
Outdoor Cinema - Paddington at Peru
23rd-23rd August 2025
Venue: Purbeck Film Festival at Corfe Castle
Website: www.purbeckfilm.com
Screening of the recent sequel
The Oak Fayre
23rd-24th August 2025
Venue: Stock Gaylard Estate
Website: www.theoakfair.com
Event celebrating timber, conservation, craft and the countryside
Railway Day at Wimborne Model Town
25th-25th August 2025
Venue: Wimborne Model Town and Gardens
Website: www.wimborne-modeltown.com
Storytelling, crafts and more information
End of Summer Phaser Night
27th-27th August 2025
Venue: Lemur Landings
Website: www.lemurlandings.co.uk
phaser night in the space station themed play zone
Shrek the Musical
27th-27th August 2025
Venue: Bridport Electric Parade
Website: www.electricpalace.org.uk
Performance of the musical adaptation of the much loved family film from Bridport Musical Theatre Company
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
Summer event, Tumbledown
28th-28th August 2025
Venue: Radipole Lane, Weymouth
Website: www.weymouthtowncouncil.gov.uk
See the website for 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
Knoll House Hotel, Studland
29th-29th August 2025
Venue: Knoll House Hotel, Studland
Website: www.purbeckfilm.com
Outdoor screening of the musical film
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