What’s On – Local events guide

Events across Dorchester. Hosting brilliant events as part of the week will be Dorchester Arts, Dorchester Library and Learning Centre, Cape Farewell, Dorset County Hospital, Dorset Wildlife Trust, the Wessex Astronomy Club, and Sculpture by the Lakes. The offer this year includes activities suitable for people aged 0-infinity! Also organised is a free talk on Astrophotography: ‘Capturing the Cosmos and Advancing Science’ where you can discover how astrophotography blends art, science and technology to reveal the wonders of the universe—and how amateurs are making real scientific contributions. A new addition to this year’s programme is the ‘Sensory Safe Science Day’ set up following feedback at previous Family Science Days that some children found the large event somewhat overwhelming. There’s much more – click here for the full programme.

Budget Not Blues. Tackle cost of living troubles with free, tried-and-tested money coaching. Full details and how to sign up at our website. Dorchester Poverty Action and Dorchester Foodbank have generously offered a £20 Co-op voucher to DT1/DT2 residents and NHS staff (T&Cs apply). However, places are limited to a max of eight people per course so sign up today!

Dorset Police Male Voice Choir will be singing a variety of wonderful songs in aid of Weldmar Hospice & the St. Nicholas Church Repair Fund. Tickets £10 p.p. (under 16’s Free). Cash bar. Free tea & coffee. Tickets available on the day, but numbers are limited. To purchase tickets in advance contact Susana.

11:00 am – 1:00 pm and 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm. Part of Dorchester Science Festival, this free (but ticketed) activity is sure to bring out the Marie Curie or the Albert Einstein in you! Aimed at children aged 4 plus, but with something for people of all ages to enjoy. There will be a great range of activities, hosted by local scientists, allowing you to try all sorts of investigations – find out how physics plays a part in everyday life. Entrance is strictly by ticket only, obtainable from the Dorset Museum & Art Gallery website (from 23rd February).

A journey through Brownsea Island’s rich history, explore the island and the castle’s picturesque grounds. Hear stories of the island’s past, and experience a rare opportunity to enter the castle itself. Afterwards, head to the Morning Room and help yourself to a warm drink and a delicious scone with cream and jam. Sink into the comfy sofas, relax, and enjoy the stunning views of the harbour. Note, the guided walks are repeated on 1st April, 22nd April, 6th May, 20th May, 3rd June and 17th June. See website for details.

Written and Directed by Ed Viney Tickets £12.50, £6 u18s When teachers Rich, Kris and Zara discover a bag of drugs in school lost property, they should report this straight away. But as the school faces imminent closure, is there another way to deal with the bag? This brilliant new dark comedy looks at what happens when worlds collide, and responsibility gets blurred.

Brownsea Island is a haven for bird enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. Our guided walks, led by an expert Dorset Wildlife Trust ranger, take you through the island’s vibrant wetlands. After your birdwatching adventure, relax with a light bite at the harbour-front café. Note, these walks are repeated on 26th April, 24th May, 28th June, 20th Sept and 18th Oct. See website for details.

Do you already love singing? Would you like to experience singing with a big choir? Do you wonder if you are a singer but are not sure? Bridport’s WDS invite you to Come-&-Sing selections from Carmina Burana with them under Matt Kingston, the WDS Music Director. Registration from 1pm. An informal performance, also in the church, starts at 4.30 pm and everyone is welcome. Entry for this is free.

3:00 pm. Free concert with refreshments available. Henry VIII’s favourite ship – the Mary Rose – sank 480 years ago this year. His reign and the life of the Mary Rose coincide almost exactly. Discover more and hear music of the time played in costume by Courtlye Musick on instruments including the types found on board this remarkable ship. Donations invited to support Dorset Rural Music School.

Celebrate Easter with an exciting woodland adventure at Brownsea Island! Embark on our fun, interactive trail to discover the amazing lives of birds. And don’t forget, there’s a tasty chocolate prize waiting for you at the finish!

This performance of J S Bach’s Mass in B Minor will be the farewell concert conducted by Colin Howard as Director of Music of Dorchester Choral Society. He has led the choir for ten fruitful years. With the Salisbury Baroque orchestra and professional soloists Georgie Malcolm (Soprano), Abigail Hooper (Soprano), Guy James (Alto), Simon Irwin (Tenor) and Edward Caswell (Bass).

A unique, immersive, living history festival over one weekend across Dorchester. In addition to two live, hour-long gladiator shows each day by Britannia Reenactment Society at Maumbury Rings, there will also be Roman Dorchester guided walks, tours and talks to book over the weekend, including on Friday 11th April. Many of these additional events are being hosted by Dorset Museum & Art Gallery, a key partner of the festival. The whole town is getting involved in the festival. Dorchester Arts will be showing the film Carry on Cleo on the Saturday night. Shire Hall Museum will be running a Roman Crime and Punishment Trail on Friday and Saturday. There will be a fee for joining in with some these additional activities, but they all really will bring to life Dorchester’s Roman history.

3:00 pm. Free concert with refreshments available. Henry VIII’s favourite ship – the Mary Rose – sank 480 years ago this year. His reign and the life of the Mary Rose coincide almost exactly. Discover more and hear music of the time played in costume by Courtlye Musick on instruments including the types found on board this remarkable ship. Donations invited to support Dorset Rural Music School and St Nicholas & St Lawrence Primary School.

Across Dorchester

This afternoon concert will consist of songs depicting the four seasons of the year including light hearted madrigals from the 16th century, beautiful romantic songs by Elgar and Holst and a fantastic evocation of the cold wind of a late autumn day, by the contemporary Estonian composer Veljo Tormis. Entrance is FREE. The retiring collection will be in aid of the children’s hospice Julia’s House.

7:00 pm. Wessex Musical Theatre presents ‘Oliver!’ Tickets £20 (£15 under 15) Matinee Saturday 2pm. Featuring Shakira Berrisford and Stella Brading (Michael McIntyre’s Big Show)

3:00 pm. Free concert with refreshments available. Step back in time and let Courtlye Musick and Ars Nova of Cherbourg transport you from 1450 to 1600 on a musical journey through the courts of Europe. Costumed performance on reproduction instruments. Donations welcome for St Mary’s church roof.

3:00 pm. Free concert with refreshments available. Step back in time and let Courtlye Musick and Ars Nova of Cherbourg transport you from 1450 to 1600 on a musical journey through the courts of Europe. Costumed performance on reproduction instruments. Donations invited to support Dorset Rural Music School.

Once again Dorchester & District Lions will be organising Summerfest in 2025 – a free family fun day on the Great Field, Poundbury. As well as raising money for the Lions, the event provides a platform for local charities & organisations to come along , showcase & promote their own charities. There will be over 12 attractions, food & refreshments on sale and bar by the Convivial Rabbit.

The superb annual Sunflower Trail to raise funds for local good causes. Check dates. The trail will be throughout August, but check exact dates nearer the time.

From 12:00 pm. Purbeck Valley Folk Festival is a small festival set on a farm on the beautiful Jurassic Coastline. We’re a festival that’s loved by everyone because there’s loads for kids to do, loads for parents, and loads for the old folkies too! This year’s lineup is already shining with Buster Sledge, John Bramwell, and Ellie Gowers—and there’s more to come! Stay tuned!