What’s On – Local events guide

Join us for our VE Day Fete at Signature House Nursing Home. To be opened by the Mayor and Mayoress of Dorchester. With special visits from: Original Army vehicles, Army Cadets, Live Music, The Animal Ranch Petting Zoo. Also BBQ, Tombola, and Cakes Stalls.

9:00 am. The Town Crier, Mr Anthony Harrison, will perform the VE Day Tribute at the Town Pump at Cornhill just as the special VE Day 80th flag is raised over the Town Hall. The Town Crier will be joined by the Mayor of Dorchester, Cllr Robin Potter.

Starting at 8:15 pm. Celebrations on VE Day 8th May will culminate with a celebratory beacon lighting event on Salisbury Field in Dorchester starting at 8.15pm with 1940s music from the Decadettes and reading of local memories of that special day in 1945 performed by the As One Theatre Company. Just before 9.30pm, Dorchester’s Town Crier, Anthony Harrison, will again read the VE Day Tribute at the same time as the Tribute is read out in communities across the United Kingdom. Then young local bugler, Joe Ansell, performs the Last Post just as the town’s Beacon is lit.

This popular event in our fundraising calendar will be held at 8 Grosvenor Road, Dorchester. Any plant donations, in advance or on the day, will be gratefully received. Either deliver to Culliford Road or ring Annie Aldridge on 01305 269245 for collection. Thank you for your support.

The Dorchester Branch of the Royal Naval Association (RNA) will be holding a Free “Fish and Chip” lunch at The Junction, Dorchester on Thursday 8th May 2025 to mark the 80th Anniversary of the end of WWII in Europe. The lunch is for all veterans and all civilians currently living in the DT1 and DT2 areas who had roles in the UK supporting the war effort, including Land Girls, Home Guard, Fire Brigade, Air Raid Wardens, Fishermen who fished the seas, and Boy Scouts and Girl Guides who were trained to provide support to their communities. On receipt of veteran’s details an invitation will be forwarded to them with full details.

7 pm & 8pm till 10:30 pm. Join us for another friendly evening in Dorchester, a chance to dance to fine live music, and enjoy simple comforts in company. Bring a partner, an instrument, or just yourself and enjoy some Balfolk tunes and dances. Adults: £6, teenagers: £4, 12-and-unders: free. Cash honesty bowl on-the-door.

Come and meet our Councillors & some of the partners we have worked with over the last year. This is also the last chance to talk and comment on the Council’s draft 2025-29 Corporate Plan. Free drop-in event with refreshments. All welcome

This is an annual campaign that promotes the benefits of walking. It’s an opportunity to celebrate walking’s positive impact on physical health, mental wellbeing, and the environment – whether you do it for leisure, fitness or your daily commute. For full details and ticket sales of all the festival guided walks follow the web link below. Proceeds from the Festival walks will be donated to a charity chosen by the volunteer walk leaders.

12:15 pm. The Choir will celebrating the 80th anniversary of D-Day with a performance of a range of 1940s music. The Choir has a history dating back to 1941. Free concert.

By popular demand, there will be an 10th Jumble Trail in Monmouth Road and the surrounding streets. Residents selling everything from clothes to cakes, books to toys, plants to cars! Come along and find something you didn’t know you needed…

You are warmly invited to our monthly, cathedral-style service of Choral Eucharist on Sunday 11th May at 10.30am in St Peter’s Church, Dorchester. The music includes: Harris ‘Holy is the true light’, Gabrielli ‘Missa brevis in F’ and Stopford ‘God be in my head’. All are very welcome to this free service and for refreshments afterwards.

Celebrations in Dorchester will conclude with a free concert in Borough Gardens from 1.00pm until 4.00pm with music with the Decadettes and the Durnovaria Silver Band. Come along with a picnic or enjoy a range of refreshments from the Borough Gardens catering kiosk and listen to a range of patriotic and 1940s music.

7:30 pm. This is a heartwarming, laugh-out-loud comedy, enchantingly French of course! Eight-year-old Nicolas is facing a “new arrival” in the family. Whilst his father battles in Gallic style with the challenge of seeking a job promotion, Nicolas and his friends spice things up with their own answers to the trials of growing up.
Comedy/Family (2009) PG. French with subtitles. Door/bar open from 6:45pm.

Don’t fudge it … budget! Give your finances a makeover with CAP Money Coaching. The course is free, independent, tried and tested with a six year track record in Dorchester. Full details and how to sign up are available at our website. Dorchester Poverty Action and Dorchester Foodbank have sponsored a £20 Co-op voucher to all DT1/DT2 residents who complete the course. Max 8 people per course.

Free entry – 50+ Vegan Stalls from local businesses offering delicious hot and cold food & drinks, yummy cakes, ice-creams, tasty cheeses and other fine cuisine. Along with health and beauty care, ethical clothing, eco-friendly products, jewellery, information & advice and more! If weather permits, there will be a Kid’s Inflatable Play Zone and exciting free Crystal Bowl & Gong Bath sessions.

Variety of Club Exhibits, Sales Stands, Refreshments, Very Limited Parking, Good Access except to stage area. Admission Free (charity box near front door)

The Open for Art Trail returns from 17 May to 1 June! Get ready to explore the vibrant world of local art! 60 talented local artists will be throwing open their studio doors & filling surprising venues across Weymouth, Portland, Dorchester and beyond. It’s free, it’s friendly, and it’s the perfect way to discover amazing local art. Pick up a brochure locally & follow @openforartdorset on Facebook.

Join us at St Peter’s Church on Dorchester Saturday 17th May between 12.30 and 1pm for our free lunchtime concert. This is a thirty-minute programme of music for flute and piano performed by Nadia Divincenzo and Rob Taylor. Nadia is a final year undergraduate studying Animation at Bournemouth University, where she is also a music scholar.

West Dorset Singers are bringing Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana to Bridport. Inspired by medieval poems about life’s earthier pleasures, it has become a 20th century classic, so join WDS, a choir of local children, professional soloists, two pianos and percussion. From April, tickets (£15, u18 free) at Bridport Music Centre, www.ticketsource.co.uk/wds or on the door.

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)

We are running both morning and afternoon 1 hour Bushcraft taster sessions every Friday during school holidays. Starting at 11am, 1pm & 3pm. Master skills including basic knife techniques, fire lighting, shelter construction, and identifying plants and trees. at the birthplace of Scouting.

7:30 pm (doors open at 7:00 pm). Come and listen, and dance, to the famous and fabulous Ben Waters, playing key shattering Boogie Woogie and Rock n’ Roll and his highly accomplished Rhythm & Blues and Jazz Saxophone player son, Tom Waters, proving the saxophone can rock & roll! Cash Bar. Tickets on sale now, £20 p.p. – Contact Susana via phone or email as per the links below. Raising funds for repairs to the church.

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.

You are warmly invited to our monthly, cathedral-style service of Choral Evensong on Saturday 31st May at 4.30pm in St Peter’s Church, Dorchester. The music marks Ascension Day and includes works by Stanford, Philip Radcliffe, Joanna Forbes L’Estrange and Finzi. We are delighted to welcome David Bednall (Clifton Cathedral) as guest organist.

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.

The evening starts with a scenic journey aboard the vintage Dorset Queen yacht, with fish and chips (vegan option available) The evening adventure will start at the new hide overlooking the lagoon, watching and listening to the nesting birds calling and catching fish. Afterwards, we will be using bat detectors to locate and identify a variety of different bat species.

You are warmly invited to our monthly, cathedral-style service of Choral Eucharist on Sunday 8th June at 10.30am in St Peter’s Church, Dorchester. The music includes: Durufle ‘Ubi caritas’, Jannacconi ‘Missa alla Palestrina’ and Ives ‘Listen sweet dove’. All are very welcome to this free service and for refreshments afterwards.

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.

7:30 pm. A concert by The West Dorset Singers .The choir was founded in 1966 and has since grown to become the largest choir in West Dorset. For over 60 years they were known as The New Elizabethan Singers, but in 2023 they decided to change our name to the West Dorset Singers. The director is Matt Kingston.
Also in the programme will be items from The Broadoak Choir. Tickets via web link below.

Flower Festival, Art exhibitions and Music Concerts in the glorious setting of St Mary’s Church. The event is raising funds for Weldmar Hospicecare. Free Admission. Artisan stalls on Friday and Saturday, 13th & 14th. Meet Ben McGregor the winner of Landscape Artist of the Year 2025 on Saturday 14th. Floral demonstration on Saturday 14th 11am.

7:30 pm. Get ready to be swept away by the harmonious sounds of the Dorchester Rock Choir! This talented and versatile choral ensemble invites you to an unforgettable evening filled with a diverse range of popular music that will resonate with audiences of all ages. Also joining the concert will be guest artists. All ticket sales support Weldmar Hospicecare. Tickets via web link below

7:30 pm. This concert promises a captivating blend of classical and contemporary music. Matt’s musical journey began at Downside School, and he later earned an organ scholarship at Homerton College, Cambridge, while studying classics. He is currently on a UK tour of Cathedrals and Churches across the UK. Supporting Weldmar Hopsicecare. Tickets via the web link below.

The evening starts with a scenic journey aboard the vintage Dorset Queen yacht, with fish and chips (vegan option available) The evening adventure will start at the new hide overlooking the lagoon, watching and listening to the nesting birds calling and catching fish. Afterwards, we will be using bat detectors to locate and identify a variety of different bat species.

Join us at St Peter’s Church on Dorchester Saturday 21st June between 12.30pm and 1pm for our free lunchtime concert. This is a thirty-minute programme of music for trombone, performed by Kevin Morgan. Kevin is the principal trombonist in the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra. You can expect an eclectic programme with informative.

You are warmly invited to our monthly, cathedral-style service of Choral Evensong on Saturday 28th June at 4.30pm in St Peter’s Church, Dorchester. The music includes Duruflé’s ‘Tu es Petrus’, the ‘Preces & Responses’ by Richard Ayleward, Sydney Watson’s ‘Evening Canticles in E’ and Jonathan Dove’s ‘Seek him that maketh the seventh stars’. Admission is free and there is a glass of wine to follow.

We are running both morning and afternoon 1 hour Bushcraft taster sessions every Friday during school holidays. Starting at 11am, 1pm & 3pm. Master skills including basic knife techniques, fire lighting, shelter construction, and identifying plants and trees. at the birthplace of Scouting.

The Villagers of Milton Abbas invite you to their 18th Century Street Fair Whatever the weather, we hope you join in the fun of our Street Fair. We have tried to recreate the flavour of a country occasion using costume, rural crafts, entertainment and craft demonstrations. We expect to have a large number of stalls, with food and drink venues throughout The Street and Lake Field.

Join us for a fun evening of live music with The Mother Ukers, begin your night with a scenic harbour cruise aboard the Dorset Queen, with a complimentary drink. Enjoy the quirky performance, featuring unique and lively ukulele tunes. Savour a delicious pasty as you soak in the music and the stunning island views. The event price is all inclusive.

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.

We are running both morning and afternoon 1 hour Bushcraft taster sessions every Friday during school holidays. Starting at 11am, 1pm & 3pm. Master skills including basic knife techniques, fire lighting, shelter construction, and identifying plants and trees. at the birthplace of Scouting.

We are running both morning and afternoon 1 hour Bushcraft taster sessions every Friday during school holidays. Starting at 11am, 1pm & 3pm. Master skills including basic knife techniques, fire lighting, shelter construction, and identifying plants and trees. at the birthplace of Scouting.

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!

We are running both morning and afternoon 1 hour Bushcraft taster sessions every Friday during school holidays. Starting at 11am, 1pm & 3pm. Master skills including basic knife techniques, fire lighting, shelter construction, and identifying plants and trees. at the birthplace of Scouting.

Join us for a fun evening of live music with The Mother Ukers, begin your night with a scenic harbour cruise aboard the Dorset Queen, with a complimentary drink. Enjoy the quirky performance, featuring unique and lively ukulele tunes. Savour a delicious pasty as you soak in the music and the stunning island views. The event price is all inclusive.

We are running both morning and afternoon 1 hour Bushcraft taster sessions every Friday during school holidays. Starting at 11am, 1pm & 3pm. Master skills including basic knife techniques, fire lighting, shelter construction, and identifying plants and trees. at the birthplace of Scouting.

We are running both morning and afternoon 1 hour Bushcraft taster sessions every Friday during school holidays. Starting at 11am, 1pm & 3pm. Master skills including basic knife techniques, fire lighting, shelter construction, and identifying plants and trees. at the birthplace of Scouting.

We are running both morning and afternoon 1 hour Bushcraft taster sessions every Friday during school holidays. Starting at 11am, 1pm & 3pm. Master skills including basic knife techniques, fire lighting, shelter construction, and identifying plants and trees. at the birthplace of Scouting.