July is set to be a fantastic month in Dorchester, with two exciting free family events taking place in the town. Residents and visitors can look forward to the return of the much-loved Love Parks Day and the highly anticipated Let’s Go Fly! Kite Festival. Head outside and enjoy some free, incredible entertainment this summer.
Love Parks Day Returns to Dorchester’s Borough Gardens on the 23rd of July
Dorchester’s much-loved Love Parks Day returns to the Borough Gardens on the 23rd of July, bringing a full programme of free family entertainment from 11am to 3pm.
This year’s event features a wide range of activities including bouncy castles, Punch & Judy shows, face painting, tennis taster sessions, crazy gold, Dorchester Gymnastics, arts and crafts, science fun with Mini Professors, Nikki’s Little Play Café, and hands-on activities from Discover Dorchester, Dorchester Youth Council, and the Keep Military Museum.
For visitors not bringing a picnic, a selection of food and drink vendors will be on site.
Local radio station, Keep 106 will host from the bandstand, providing music, taking requests, and chatting with attendees throughout the day.
The event celebrates the Borough Gardens and the staff who care for them year-round. As in previous years, the Borough Gardens team will host their own activity stand, giving visitors the chance to meet the people who keep the gardens looking their best.
Mayor of Dorchester, Les Fry said: ‘We can’t wait to welcome everyone to Love Parks Day, to join us in a celebration of the gardens and meet the staff who work so hard all year round’.
Love Parks is free to attend and open to all.
Dorchester Kite Festival set for new date in sunny July!
Dorchester’s much-anticipated kite festival is coming on Saturday 25th July 2026. Let’s Go Fly! Kite Festival will take place on The Great Field between 11am and 4.30pm. Previously set for June, the event was postponed due to terrible weather conditions.
Dorchester Tourism Partnership is delighted to be working with the wonderful White Horse Kite Flyers to deliver some amazing kite displays and free kite making activities. Poundbury Events will be bringing together the very best stallholders for the festival.
On the day, visitors will enjoy…
- Spectacular stunt kites with commentated flying
- A dedicated flying area where visitors can launch their own kites
- A selection of market stalls and delicious food vendors
- Arts and crafts activities
- A special reveal of The Big Dorchester Kite
Visitors can expect giant kites and incredible shapes soaring overhead and a great atmosphere. Organisers are encouraging residents and visitors to come along and enjoy a fantastic day out in Dorchester! Follow along on social media for updates and sneak peeks at @discoverdorchester.
Dorchester Kite Festival would not be possible without the generous support of its sponsors:
Platinum: Dorchester Timber
Gold: Poundbury Community Trust, Battens Solicitors, Santos + Co, Avoca Group
Silver: Symonds & Sampson Estate Agents, Poundbury Garden Centre, House of Dorchester Chocolates, Grassby Funeral Service
Bronze: Move Clinic, Robert Frith Opticians, Ellis Jones solicitors, Places for People
