What's On in Dorset
Things to do in and around Dorset: events, days out and family activities, with the practical details.
Top story
Dorset fireworks 2026: Weymouth beach at 8pm on 5 November
Weymouth Town Council lights the bonfire at 7.40pm and starts the fireworks at 8pm on Weymouth Beach on Thursday 5 November, with a pilot drone display.
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Christmas
Dorset pantomimes 2026: Cinderella at Weymouth from 19 Dec
Cinderella at Weymouth Pavilion runs 19 December to 2 January, adults £22 to £25. Jack and the Beanstalk at the Tivoli, Wimborne, is 12 December to 3 January.
Christmas
Santa in Dorset 2026: Swanage Railway from 28 November
Swanage Railway's Yuletide Express runs from 28 November at £29.95 a seat and Kingston Lacy's Storytelling with Santa is £15.50 a child from the same day.
Christmas
Kingston Lacy Christmas 2026: Starlit Ball from 21 November
Kingston Lacy's Starlit Christmas Ball runs 21 November to 3 January, free with admission and no booking. House open 10.30am to 3pm, closed 25 and 26 December.
Remembrance
Dorset Remembrance Sunday: 8 Nov services and road closures
Dorchester has confirmed 10.55am on Sunday 8 November at the War Memorial. Weymouth's parade, the roads that shut and where parking is free.
Christmas
Dorset Christmas markets 2026: four dates now confirmed
Swanage on 5 December, Wimborne that weekend, Sherborne on the 6th and Dorchester's Cracker on the 13th. Times, stall counts, closed roads and free parking.
Christmas
Dorset Christmas lights switch-ons: 2026 dates and times
Lyme Regis switches on first, on 21 November. Weymouth and Swanage share 28 November, Sherborne lights its tree on 6 December. Times, places and gaps.