Food, Music and Family Fun Festivals in Dorset 2026
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Dorset hosts lots of brilliant festivals where families can enjoy live music, local food and drink, workshops, performances, creative arts, fun fairs and children’s entertainment.
To see what’s coming up near you in 2026, please see our list below.
TEDDY ROCKS FESTIVAL
Info: Teddy Rocks is a 3 day family friendly music festival with over 100+ acts. Day tickets and camping options are available. Teddy Rocks Festival donates 100% of profits to children's cancer charities.
Good to know: Under 5’s go FREE
Dates: Friday 1st – Sunday 3rd May 2026
Address: Charisworth Farm, Blandford Forum, Dorset, DT11 9AL
Tickets: Teddy Rocks Festival
THE CHEESE AND CHILLI FESTIVAL
Info: This festival celebrates all things cheese and chilli and has food to try, live music, traders, mini fun fair, cooking demos, chilli challenges and kids entertainment.
Good to know: Children 15 and under go FREE!
Dates: Saturday 16th & Sunday 17th May 2026
Address: Parley Lane, Christchurch, Dorset, BH23 6AD
Tickets: The Cheese and Chilli Festival
MAGIC OF THAILAND FESTIVAL
Info: Enjoy delicious Thai food and dancing, browse arts and craft stalls, Muay Thai demos, eating competitions, Monk blessings, Thai massage, and much more.
Good to know: Children under 15 go FREE!
Dates: Saturday 16th & Sunday 17th May 2026
Address: Baiter Park, Poole, Dorset
Tickets: Magic of Thailand
SWANAGE PIRATE FESTIVAL
Info: Pirates are heading to Swanage again with a parade, living history displays and talks, battles, canon and sword displays, stalls and family fun.
Good to know: FREE EVENT!
Dates: Saturday 23rd & Sunday 24th May 2026
Location: Sandpit Field, Swanage, Dorset, BH19 1NR
Facebook: Swanage Pirate Festival
BOURNEMOUTH 7S FESTIVAL
Info: Festival for sport and music lovers with sporting competitions, fun fair and over 100 acts and DJ’s.
Dates: Friday 22nd - Sunday 24th May 2026
Address: Chapel Gate, East Parley, Christchurch, Dorset, BH23 6BD
Tickets: Bournemouth 7’s
CURSUS CIDER & MUSIC FESTIVAL
Info: Cursus prides itself on being a fun, inclusive and grassroots event. This 3 day family festival has great music, food and plenty of cider. Children will love the DIY Den with self-led activities across the weekend, and everyone can enjoy rural craft demonstrations, communal campfire, Tuk Tuk rides, Curmudgeon’s Corner, fire show and a chilled campsite immediately next to the arena.
Good to know: One under 18 goes free with each adult ticket, extra under 18's are half price.
Dates: Friday 22nd - Sunday 24th May 2026
Address: Myncen Farm, Blandford Forum, Dorset, DT11 8DH
Tickets: Cursus Festival
CHRISTCHURCH FOOD FESTIVAL
Info: This popular food festival hosts renowned chefs, local producers, interactive workshops, tastings, live music and children’s activities.
Good to know: FREE EVENT!
Dates: Saturday 23rd – Monday 25th May 2026
Location: Christchurch Quay
Website: Christchurch Food Fest
FAMILY FEST
Info: Set within 12 acres of working farmland, in the stunning countryside of Wimborne. There’s craft, food and small business traders, 3 days of live music on the main stage, children's shows, family shows and activities, mascot appearances, bars, fabulous foods, and tons more. Weekend camping and day tickets are available.
Dates: Friday 29th May – Sunday 31st May 2026
Address: The Meadows, Julians Road, Wimborne, Dorset, BH21 1EF
Website: Family Fest
PIDDLEFEST
Info: Piddlefest is a small festival featuring some of Dorset’s best bands and performers. Supporting Piddle Valley School, Community Funds and the Air Ambulance.
Good to know: Children under 14 go FREE!
Date: Saturday 30th May 2026
Address: Field next to Piddle Valley School, Piddletrenthide, Dorchester, Dorset, DT2 7QL
Tickets: Piddlefest
WEST MOORS FARM FEST
Info: Experience the best of farm life with great food, stalls, entertainment, family activities, games, silent disco, and much more!
Good to know: Children aged 6 and under go FREE!
Date: Saturday 6th June 2026
Address: Sturts Farm, Three Cross Road, West Moors, Dorset, BH22 0NF
Tickets: Eventbrite
WIMBORNE MINSTER FOLK FESTIVAL
Info: The historic town of Wimborne Minster plays host to this folk festival with live music, dancing, stalls, and children’s activities.
Good to know: The majority of events across the town are FREE however some headline acts are ticketed.
Dates: Friday 12th – Sunday 14th June 2026
Location: Wimborne Town
Website: Wimborne Minster Folk Festival
UPTON HOUSE FOOD AND MUSIC FESTIVAL
Info: Set in the beautiful grounds of Upton Country Park, the music festival has 3 days of live music, street food, and children’s entertainment.
Dates: Friday 12th – Sunday 14th June 2026
Address: Upton Country Park, Poole Road, Upton, Poole, Dorset, BH17 7BJ
Website: Upton House Food and Music Festival
HIGHCLIFFE FOOD AND ARTS FESTIVAL
Info: This festival celebrates local produce, crafts and cookery. You’ll find artisan stalls, street food, celebrity chefs, cookery demonstrations, live music, children’s entertainment and much more.
Good to know: FREE EVENT!
Dates: Saturday 13th & Sunday 14th June 2026
Location: Highcliffe High Street & Recreation Ground
Website: Highcliffe Food & Arts Festival
LYME REGIS FOSSIL FESTIVAL
Info: The Lyme Regis Fossil Festival is an annual event held on the Jurassic Coast. It exists to celebrate the unique geological heritage of Lyme Regis and the Jurassic Coast and to educate the public on advances in natural environment research, and especially palaeontology.
Good to know: FREE ENTRY!
Dates: Saturday 13th & Sunday 14th June 2026
Location: Across Lyme Regis
Website: Lyme Regis Fossil Festival
SWANAGE FISH FESTIVAL
Info: The Swanage Fish Festival showcases Purbeck businesses with delicious food, drinks and crafts, plus entertainment for the whole family.
Good to know: FREE EVENT!
Dates: Saturday 13th & Sunday 14th June 2026
Location: Sandpit Field, Shore Road, Swanage, Dorset, BH19 1NP
Website: Swanage Fish Fest
DORSET BIKE FESTIVAL
Info: Dorset Bike Festival is a family friendly festival for bikers and they are dedicated to raising funds for the Docbike charity while providing an exciting line-up of activities, including ride-outs, demonstrations, educational talks and workshops, live music, amazing stands, delicious food and drink. Camping options are available.
Good to know: Children 12 years and under go FREE!
Dates: Saturday 19th – Sunday 21st June 2026
Address: Wooders Campsite, Bere Regis, Wareham, Dorset, BH20 7NN
Tickets: Dorset Bike Fest
DORSET MELA FESTIVAL
Info: The Dorset Mela is a vibrant and culturally enriching event that celebrates the diversity of South Asian heritage, arts, music, and cuisine.
Good to know: FREE ENTRY!
Date: Saturday 20th June 2026
Address: Poole Park, Parkstone Road, Poole, Dorset, BH15 2SF
Website: Dorset Mela
DORSETFEST
Info: The 2 day event offers a fabulous range of music, entertainment and food. It is run and organised by volunteers with all money going to local charities.
Good to know: Children under 3 go FREE!
Dates: Friday 26th & Saturday 27th June 2026
Address: Warren Farm, Bulbarrow, Blandford Forum, Dorset, DT11 0HQ
Tickets: DorsetFest
UPTON COUNTRY PARK FESTIVAL
Info: Bring your own food and drink, or enjoy the food stalls and bar on site, and dance the night away to some of the best tribute bands and artists.
Good to know: Infants 2 and under go FREE!
Dates: Friday 3rd & Saturday 4th July 2026
Address: Upton Country Park, Poole Road, Upton, Poole, Dorset, BH17 7BJ
Tickets: Upton Country Park Festival
THE DORSET SEAFOOD FESTIVAL
Info: Enjoy an amazing choice of locally caught seafood, drinks, gifts and shopping, live entertainment, chefs’ theatre stages, and family fun.
Good to know: FREE ENTRY!
Dates: Saturday 4th & Sunday 5th July 2026
Location: Weymouth Harbour
Website: Dorset Seafood
DORSET VOLKSFEST
Info: Family friendly weekend of live entertainment, beer, great street food, and VWs!
Good to know: Children 11 and under go FREE!
Dates: Friday 10th – Sunday 12th July 2026
Address: The Showground, Worgret Road, Wareham, Dorset, BH20 6AB
Tickets: Dorset Volkfest
TOLPUDDLE MARTYRS’ FESTIVAL
Info: The Tolpuddle Martyrs Festival returns with an inspiring programme of discussion, music, performance, children's activities, speakers, food stalls, and more.
Dates: Friday 17th – Sunday 19th July 2026
Location: Tolpuddle Village
Tickets: Tolpuddle Martyrs
CHRISTCHURCH MUSIC FESTIVAL
Info: The festival which is held on The Quomps offers 3 days of non-stop music and entertainment.
Dates: Friday 17th – Sunday 19th July 2026
Address: Christchurch Quay, Christchurch, Dorset, BH23 1BU
Tickets: Christchurch Music Festival
BOURNEMOUTH REGGAE WEEKENDER
Info: Bournemouth Reggae Weekender is an independently run 3 day unique occasion to celebrate the diverse African-Caribbean culture and heritage in Bournemouth through reggae music with a full range of entertainment and traditional activities that supports creative arts and performing artists through music, poetry, storytelling, and dance workshops.
Good to know: Under 18’s go FREE!
Dates: Friday 24th – Sunday 26th July 2026
Address: King’s Park, Kings Park Drive, Bournemouth, BH7 6JD
Tickets: Bournemouth Reggae Weekender
CAMP BESTIVAL
Info: Undoubtedly Dorset’s largest family friendly festival. Camp Bestival has numerous stages, headline acts, multiple children’s activities, stalls, food and drink, workshops and so much more. Camping options and day tickets are available.
Dates: Thursday 30th July – Sunday 2nd August 2026
Address: Lulworth Castle, East Lulworth, Wareham, Dorset, BH20 5QS
Tickets: Camp Bestival Dorset
POOLE HARBOUR FESTIVAL
Info: Poole Harbour Festival has 60 live acts across 5 stages, plus an array of street food, bars, stalls, children’s entertainers and workshops.
Dates: Friday 31st July – Sunday 2nd August 2026
Address: Baiter Park, Poole, Dorset, BH15 1TQ
Tickets: Poole Harbour Festival
WE OUT HERE FESTIVAL
Info: The 4 day festival celebrates world-class music, alongside wellness, family and cultural activities.
Good to know: Children 3 years and under go FREE!
Dates: Thursday 20th – Sunday 23rd August 2026
Address: St Giles House, Wimborne St Giles, Dorset, BH21 5NA
Tickets: We Out Here Festival
PURBECK VALLEY FOLK FESTIVAL
Info: Purbeck Valley Folk Festival is a small festival set on a farm with a good variety of local music, workshops, children’s area, crafts, food and drink. Camping options and day tickets are available.
Good to know: Children 3 and under go FREE!
Dates: Thursday 20th – Sunday 23rd August 2026
Address: Purbeck Valley Farm, Valley Road, Harman’s Cross, Dorset, BH20 5HU
Tickets: Purbeck Valley Folk Festival
VDUB AT THE PUB
Info: A great family friendly festival with live music and DJ’s, stalls, food and drink, sports games, children’s activities and of course VW’s. Camping options and day tickets are available.
Good to know: Children 12 years and under are only £1!
Dates: Friday 21st – Sunday 23rd August 2026
Address: Julians Field, Julians Road, Wimborne, Dorset, BH21 3DH
Tickets: Vdub at the Pub
SWANAGE FOLK FESTIVAL
Info: A weekend of music, dance, stalls, and children’s activities around the beautiful town of Swanage.
Good to know: The majority of events are FREE however some concerts are ticketed.
Dates: Friday 11th – Sunday 13th September 2026
Location: Across Swanage
Website: Swanage Folk Festival
SEAFOOD & SOUNDS
Info: Poole will once again come alive with the sights, sounds and flavours of the coast. Taking place over 2 days, the event celebrates Poole’s rich maritime heritage, combining live music, outstanding local seafood and family friendly entertainment.
Good to know: FREE EVENT!
Dates: Saturday 12th & Sunday 13th September 2026
Location: Poole Old Town & Quay
Website: Seafood and Sounds
Some annual events are yet to announce dates and details, these will be added soon. If you know of any more family friendly festivals in Dorset then please do Contact Us.
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Dorsetmums has made every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this site and does not accept liability for any errors or omission. Please also note that an event or venue may cancel or close at any time.
