Arts and culture in Dorset covers theatre, cinema, galleries and exhibitions. Events on soon come first, then places open all year. Every listing links to its source.
Arts and culture
An annual week-long festival bringing authors to venues in and around Bridport, including novelists, historians, biographers, nature writers and poets. The programme also features musical, children's and culinary events, suiting book lovers of all kinds.
Arts and culture
Violinist Nigel Kennedy performs an evening of classical, jazz and contemporary music at Bournemouth Pavilion Theatre. The programme includes Bach, his own compositions, and a tribute to Yehudi Menuhin and Stephane Grappelli, accompanied by double bass and cello.
Arts and culture
Violinist Nigel Kennedy performs at the Bournemouth Pavilion as part of his first large-scale UK tour in over fifteen years. The concert follows sold-out shows in London and at Ronnie Scott's in Soho.
Arts and culture
A weekend literary festival held at venues around Blandford Forum, featuring author talks, workshops and a book and craft fair. There are events for children alongside the main programme.
Arts and culture
A festival of books, poetry and writing in Blandford Forum, featuring author talks, workshops and dedicated children's events. The programme also includes a music and poetry evening and a book and craft fair.
Arts and culture
A greenwood carving workshop at Kingcombe Visitor Centre, led by greenwood worker Adam Hawker. Participants learn to use an axe and knife safely, select suitable wood, and carve and finish their own wooden spatula. For adults only.
Arts and culture
A live stand-up comedy night at the Lighthouse's intimate studio space in Poole, run by the Coastal Comedy Club. The bill features headline act Nick Page alongside Rich Wilson and Samantha Day, with Dave Chawner hosting.
Arts and culture
Tony Hadley of Spandau Ballet performs a Christmas-themed show of swing and crooner classics from artists such as Sinatra, Bennett and Presley. The evening features his singing alongside his reputation as a natural entertainer and storyteller.
Arts and culture
A storytelling evening at the Grosvenor Arms in Shaftesbury exploring folk tales and traditions about trees from Britain and Ireland. Ecologist and storyteller Lisa Schneidau draws on the changing seasons for her material.
Arts and culture
A day workshop learning willow sculpture with tutor Jo Sadler at the Langton Arms, Tarrant Monkton. All materials, tuition and a buffet lunch are included, with no experience necessary.
Arts and culture
An exhibition and demonstration of textile designer Jayne Burton's work near Bridport. Held at Jenny Penney Local Makers Shop & Gallery, Mangerton Mill, it features cyanotype printing, Shibori dyeing and wood block printing inspired by coastal and woodland imagery.
Arts and culture
An evening of jazz and festive music performed by the Julie Dunn Quartet at Thornford Village Hall. The fundraiser for Friends of St Michael's Church, Beer Hackett, features jazz favourites, sing-along festive tunes, and accompaniment from double bass, saxophone and guitar.
Arts and culture
A stand-up comedy night at Key West on Bournemouth Pier. The line-up includes MC Windsor along with comedians Tadiwa Mahlunge, Kate Lucas and Mark Guest, with food and drink also served on the night.
Arts and culture
A talk by micro-artist Graham Short on his career engraving miniature works, including the Lord's Prayer on a pinhead. Held at Wesley Hall, Wimborne, the session mixes craftsmanship stories with anecdotes from working with well-known collectors.
Arts and culture
A curated art fair in the historic Royal Arcade, Boscombe, bringing together around 18 to 20 independent artists. Visitors can browse original artwork, meet the artists and watch live art demonstrations.
Arts and culture
A comedy and music show by Bill Bailey celebrating the tradition of vaudeville, with songs, stories and his trademark multi-instrumental performance. Held at the Bournemouth International Centre.
Arts and culture
A festive storytelling experience with Santa at Scaplen's Court, part of Poole Museum, aimed at children aged four to eleven and their families. Visitors take part in craft activities, hear a seasonal tale, receive a gift and have a photo with Santa, with museum admission included.
Arts and culture
A Christmas concert by classical choir La Nova Singers at St Peter's Church, Parkstone, featuring Benjamin Britten's 'A Ceremony of Carols' accompanied by harpist Rachel Masters. The programme includes festive classics and new arrangements of favourite carols performed by the choir's twelve female voices.
8 to 10 Dec
A festive wreath-making workshop held inside Brownsea Castle, reached by boat from Poole Harbour. Participants are guided through making their own wreath using provided materials, with carols playing in the decorated castle, followed by a two-course lunch.
Arts and culture
A talk in Wimborne about engineer Nikola Tesla, presented by Richard Hutley as part of Wimborne U3A's programme. The session explores Tesla's achievements with alternating current and separates fact from later myths about his legacy.
Arts and culture
A festive workshop at the Wild Chesil Centre where visitors create a natural wreath using locally sourced, sustainably harvested materials. Suitable for adults and children aged 12 and over, with children required to be accompanied by an adult.
Arts and culture
A festive carol concert at the Compton Organ, with sing-along carols and entertainment accompanied by members of a local light opera choir. The event is free to attend and suits visitors looking for traditional Christmas entertainment.
Arts and culture
A festive theatre show bringing classic Christmas songs, singalong hits and comedy performances to the Bournemouth International Centre. Described as a long-running touring Christmas show suited to the whole family.
Arts and culture
A festive variety show featuring Anton Du Beke, vocalist Lance Ellington, their band and a troupe of dancers. Expect Christmas music, dancing and festive cheer at the Bournemouth International Centre.
Arts and culture
A three-hour guided retreat cruise around Poole Harbour, combining meditation and movement sessions with a ceremonial cacao ceremony. Light refreshments and water are included, offering a chance to relax while sailing through the harbour.
10 Jul to 3 Jan
A free exhibition at Poole Museum showcasing the vivid, fantastical artworks of Jason Wilsher-Mills, including sculptures, inflatables and digital pieces. It features mermaids, larger-than-life characters and unusual creatures, with newly commissioned works inspired by Poole's maritime heritage. Designed to appeal to visitors of all ages.
Open all year
A seafront venue in Swanage offering cinema screenings, live theatre, comedy, dance and music performances. School holiday matinees provide indoor entertainment for families, while a sea-view bar serves snacks and drinks including local beer and cider.
Open all year
Sculpture by the Lakes is a sculpture park at Pallington, near Dorchester. Allow at least an hour and a half, with plenty of places to sit or picnic along the way. The park needs a ticket, best booked ahead, while The Makers Yard is free to enter. Children under 14 are not admitted because of the deep, fast-flowing water. Well-behaved dogs on leads are welcome in most areas, and paths can be muddy in wet weather.
Open all year
The Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum fills a historic clifftop house on Bournemouth's East Cliff. Its richly decorated galleries hold fine art, sculpture and treasures from around the world, gathered by the Victorian collectors Sir Merton and Lady Russell-Cotes, alongside a changing programme of exhibitions. The café looks out to sea. The museum is open Tuesday to Sunday and on bank holiday Mondays.
Open all year
A large arts centre in the heart of Poole offering theatre, live music, comedy, dance, cinema and exhibitions. It has multiple performance and exhibition spaces including a concert hall, theatre, studio and cinema, with children's theatre and family shows also on offer.
Open all year
TheGallery at the Arts University Bournemouth is a contemporary art and design space open to the public, showing sculpture, film, photography, drawing and fine art. Exhibitions include work by contemporary artists and designers from around the world, alongside pieces on loan from major galleries and museums. Admission to exhibitions and supporting events is free.
Lighthouse Poole is a large arts centre with theatre, live music, comedy, dance and cinema, and The Mowlem in Swanage is a seafront venue for films and live shows, with matinees in the school holidays.
For art, the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum fills a historic clifftop house on Bournemouth's East Cliff, TheGallery at Arts University Bournemouth shows contemporary art and design, and Sculpture by the Lakes at Pallington, near Dorchester, is a sculpture park to walk around. Exhibitions, concerts and performances from across the county appear here as we add them, each linked to its source for times and tickets.