Need ideas for things to do with the family in September? You'll find lots of fun events and shows listed below.
ABBOTSBURY SWANNERY BRAMLEY HEDGE TRAIL
Info: Based on the Summer Story book, the trail includes fun facts, stamp points and an activity booklet. The trail runs alongside the daily mass swan feeds, willow swan maze and pedal go-karts.
Dates: Ongoing
Address: Abbotsbury Swannery, New Barn Road, Abbotsbury, Dorset, DT3 4JG
Website: Abbotsbury Swannery
THE WALLED GARDEN DINOSAURS IN SPACE TRAIL
Dates: Wednesday 16th July - Friday 5th September 2025
Address: The Walled Garden, Station Road, Moreton, Dorset, DT2 8RH
Website: The Walled Garden
KINGSTON LACY SUMMER OF PLAY
Info: There's so much to try out this summer - start your engines in the wacky races, build something amazing with the giant blue blocks, try out the ball play and slacklining zone and much, much more.
Dates: Saturday 19th July - Sunday 7th September 2025
Address: Kingston Lacy, Wimborne Minster, Dorset, BH21 4EA
Website: Kingston Lacy
MOORS VALLEY COUNTRY PARK STICK MAN TRAIL & MORE
Info: Moors Valley is an award-winning visitor attraction offering a host of outdoor activities for all ages with long paths to explore in the woods, multiple fun play areas, the Moors Valley Railway and much more. Activities in the holidays include pond dipping, fishing, mini golf, adventure valley land rovers and the Stick Man Trail.
Dates: Saturday 19th July - Sunday 7th September 2025
Address: Moors Valley Country Park, Horton Road, Ashley Heath, BH24 2ET
Website: Moors Valley Country Park
THORNCOMBE WOODS WILD WORKOUT TRAIL
Info: Enjoy a FREE nature inspired Physical Activity Trail. Keep everyone moving and exploring this summer holiday with a family friendly trail around the reserve! Follow the pink and blue waymarked trails to discover beautifully hand-painted discs. Each disc reveals a nature-inspired movement challenge to try. Trail leaflets can be found in car park or at the Visitors Centre.
Dates: Saturday 19th July - Monday 8th September 2025
Address: Thorncombe Woods, Higher Bockhampton, Dorchester, Dorset, DT2 8QH
Facebook: Hardys Birthplace
HIGHCLIFFE CASTLE SUMMER WELLBEING CHALLENGE
Info: Explore the grounds of Highcliffe Castle for an outdoor challenge trail promoting positive wellbeing and appreciating you. Indoor crafts will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays and there will be a different craft each week to do.
Dates: Sunday 20th July - Sunday 7th September 2025
Address: Highcliffe Castle, Rothesay Drive, Highcliffe, Dorset, BH23 4LE
Website: Highcliffe Castle
MUSEUM OF EAST DORSET MINECRAFT ADVENTURES
Info: From character hunts to crafty clay creations, families can dive into a pixel-powered holiday filled with creativity and exploration. Whether you’re a seasoned player or a curious newcomer, there’s something for everyone in this immersive experience.
Dates: Monday 21st July - Saturday 6th September 2025
Address: Museum of East Dorset, 23-29 High Street, Wimborne, Dorset, BH21 1HR
Website: Museum of East Dorset
KINGSTON MAURWARD ANIMAL PARK & GARDENS MAGICAL FAIRY TRAIL
Dates: Saturday 9th August - Friday 5th September 2025
Address: Kingston Maurward, Dorchester, Dorset, DT2 8PX
Website: Kingston Maurward Gardens & Animal Park
PURBECK FILM FESTIVAL CINEMA UNDER THE STARS
Info: Enjoy a magical season of summer screenings in some of Purbeck’s most iconic outdoor locations.
Dates: Saturday 16th August - Saturday 6th September 2025
Locations: Studland, Swanage, Corfe Castle & Wareham
Website: Purbeck Film Festival
BLUEY VISITS AT PEEKABOO & BREW
Dates: Monday 1st - Sunday 7th September 2025
Address: PeekABoo & Brew, 214a Macaulay Road, Broadstone, Poole, Dorset, BH18 8DX
Website: PeekABoo & Brew
VERWOOD FUN FAIR
Dates: Thursday 4th – Sunday 7th September 2025
Address: Memorial recreation Ground, Ringwood Road, Verwood, Dorset, BH31 7AA
Facebook: William Cole and Sons Amusements
SANDWORLD LOCAL RESIDENTS OFFER
Dates: Thursday 4th – Tuesday 30th September 2025
Address: Sandworld, Lodmoor Country Park, Preston Beach Road, Weymouth, Dorset, DT4 7SX
Website: Sandworld
SWANAGE FOLK FESTIVAL
Info: A weekend of music, dance and fun around the beautiful town of Swanage.
Dates: Friday 5th – Sunday 7th September 2025
Location: Across Swanage
Website: Swanage Folk Festival
CLASSIC & STEAM VEHICLE SHOW
Dates: Friday 5th - Sunday 7th September 2025
Address: Norden, Corfe Castle, Dorset, BH20 5DW
Website: BPP Club
ARTS BY THE SEA BITSIZED FESTIVAL
Date: Saturday 6th September 2025
Address: Henry Brown Centre, 18 Cunningham Crescent, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH11 8DU
Website: Arts by the Sea Festival
BOURNEMOUTH BRICK FESTIVAL
Date: Saturday 6th September 2025
Address: Bournemouth International Centre, Exeter Road, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH2 5BH
Website: Bournemouth International Centre
BOURNEMOUTH COMIC CON
Date: Saturday 6th September 2025
Address: Bournemouth International Centre, Exeter Road, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH2 5BH
Website: Bournemouth International Centre
VJ DAY CELEBRATIONS
Date: Saturday 6th September 2025
Address: New Milton Recreation Ground, Whitefield Road, New Milton, BH25 6DF
Website: New Milton Town Council
BRIDPORT HAT FESTIVAL
Date: Saturday 6th September 2025
Location: Bucky Doo Square & Millenium Green
Website: Bridport Hat Fest
BLANDFORD TOWN MUSEUM OUTDOOR FAMILY PERFORMANCE
Date: Saturday 6th September 2025
Address: Blandford Town Museum, Beres Yard, Blandford Forum, Dorset, DT11 7HQ
Website: Blandford Town Museum
CLIFFTOP MUSIC FEST
Date: Saturday 6th September 2025
Address: Wharncliffe Road, Highcliffe, Dorset, BH223 5DF
Website: Highcliffe Village
BRIDPORT FIRE STATION OPEN DAY
Date: Saturday 6th September 2025
Address: Bridport Fire Station, 56A South Street, Bridport, Dorset, DT6 3NN
Facebook: Bridport Fire Station
CORFE CASTLE CIVIL WAR RE-ENACTMENT WEEKEND
Info: The English Civil War Society will be bringing this most turbulent part of the castle’s history to life and visitors will be able to engage with the sights, sounds and atmosphere of the 17th century. See a dramatic, live re-enactment of the siege of Corfe Castle when it was taken by parliamentary forces in 1646 plus lots of hands-on activities.
Dates: Saturday 6th & Sunday 7th September 2025
Address: Corfe Castle, The Square, Corfe Castle, Dorset
Website: National Trust Corfe Castle
MOORS VALLEY RAILWAY STEAM SPECTACULAR
Dates: Saturday 6th & Sunday 7th September 2025
Address: Moors Valley Country Park, Horton Road, Ashley Heath, BH24 2ET
Website: Moors Valley Railway
DORSET COUNTY SHOW
Info: The Dorset County Show returns with stunt riders, action horses, livestock, live music, local produce, stalls, and much more.
Dates: Saturday 6th & Sunday 7th September 2025
Address: Dorchester Showground, Dorchester, Dorset, DT2 7SD
Website: Dorset County Show
WEYMOUTH WATERFEST
Date: Sunday 7th September 2025
Location: Weymouth Beach
Website: Weymouth Town Council
ARTS BY THE SEA BITSIZED FESTIVAL
Date: Sunday 7th September 2025
Address: Bourne Community Hub, Northmere Road, Poole, Dorset, BH12 4DY
Website: Arts by the Sea Festival
B-SIDE ARTS FESTIVAL
Info: B-side is an internationally recognised and locally loved arts organisation that both embodies and enriches its place of origin - the Isle of Portland.
Dates: Thursday 11th - Sunday 14th September 2025
Location: Across Portland
Website: B-Side Festival
INSIDE OUT DORSET
Info: Inside Out Dorset is an international outdoor arts festival. Expect live performance in unexpected places – in town centres, by the sea, on hilltops and in woodland, all for everyone to enjoy.
Dates: Friday 12th - Sunday 21st September 2025
Locations: Across Dorset
Website: Inside Out Dorset
HERITAGE OPEN DAYS
Dates: Friday 12th - Sunday 21st September 2025
Locations: Across Dorset
Dorsetmums Blog: Heritage Open Days in Dorset
SWANAGE BOATHOUSE OPEN DAY
Date: Saturday 13th September 2025
Address: Swanage Lifeboat Station, Peveril Point Road, Swanage, Dorset, BH19 2AY
Facebook: Swanage Lifeboat Station
WELDMAR’S SUMMER FETE
Info: Set in the beautiful grounds of the hospice, this much-loved annual event brings together local talent, family-friendly entertainment, and a whole host of activities for all ages.
Date: Saturday 13th September 2025
Address: Weldmar Hospicecare Inpatient Unit, Herringston Road, Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 2SL
Website: Weldmar Hospicecare
STURTS FARM FAMILY FUN DAY
Date: Saturday 13th September 2025
Address: Sturts Farm, Three Cross Road, Ferndown, Dorset, BH22 0NF
Website: Gullivers Farm
SEAFOOD & SOUNDS
Dates: Saturday 13th & Sunday 14th September 2025
Location: Poole Quay
Website: Seafood and Sounds
STURMINSTER NEWTON CHEESE FESTIVAL
Dates: Saturday 13th & Sunday 14th September 2025
Address: Sturminster Newton Recreation Ground, Sturminster Newton, Dorset, DT10 1BY
Website: Cheese Festival
DUSK 'TIL DARK
Info: Watch an amazing fusion of contemporary dance, martial arts and live soundscapes coming from boom bikes. The performance starts at Weymouth Town Bridge and weaves through the streets to the beach.
Dates: Friday 19th & Saturday 20th September 2025
Location: Weymouth Town & Beach
Website: We Are Weymouth
DISCOVERY FEST
Date: Saturday 20th September 2025
Address: Shore Road, Swanage, Dorset
Website: Dorset Coast
LITTLEMOOR FAMILY FUN DAY
Date: Saturday 20th September 2025
Address: Top Club, Louviers Road, Weymouth, Dorset, DT3 6AY
Website: Big 4 Littlemoor
RINGWOOD CARNIVAL
Info: Ringwood Carnival consists of 2 processions - an afternoon children’s procession and an evening illuminated parade. In addition to this, there is live entertainment across the town throughout the day plus stalls, fireworks and fun fair.
Date: Saturday 20th September 2025
Location: Ringwood Town
Website: Ringwood Carnival
THE DORSET BIKE FESTIVAL
Dates: Saturday 20th & Sunday 21st September 2025
Address: Wooders Campsite, Bere Regis, Dorset, BH20 7NN
Website: Dorset Bike Festival
SHAFTESBURY CARNIVAL WEEK
Dates: Saturday 20th – Sunday 28th September 2025
Location: Across Shaftesbury
Website: Shaftesbury Carnival
THE WALLED GARDEN FETE
Date: Sunday 21st September 2025
Address: The Walled Garden, Station Road, Moreton, Dorset, DT2 8RH
Website: The Walled Garden
WESSEX HEAVY HORSE SHOW & COUNTRY FAIR
Date: Sunday 21st September 2025
Address: Turnpike Showground, Shaftesbury, Dorset, SP7 9PL
Website: Wessex Heavy Horse Society
ARTS BY THE SEA FESTIVAL
Dates: Friday 26th - Sunday 28th September 2025
Location: Bournemouth Town
Website: Arts by the Sea Festival
STINSFORD VILLAGE FETE
Date: Saturday 27th September 2025
Address: The Old Vicarage & Stinsford Church, Stinsford, Dorchester, Dorset, DT2 8XW
THE ZOO THAT COMES TO YOU
Info: The Zoo That Comes To You follows the impassioned attempts of two animal enthusiasts to share their love of and concern for animals with the world. They take in animals that need respite, care or a temporary home and have, accidentally, ended up with a whole sanctuary, but with no visitors! So everybody, animals and humans alike, have decided it is time to get out, see the world, and bring the zoo, to you. Featuring puppetry, live music and playful characters, Scarlet Oak Theatre welcomes you to join the conversation about animal conservation.
Date: Saturday 27th September 2025
Address: Lighthouse Poole, 21 Kingland Road, Poole, Dorset, BH15 1UG
Website: Lighthouse Poole
THE ALLENDALE FREE FILM CLUB
Date: Sunday 28th September 2025
Address: The Allendale, Hanham Road, Wimborne Minster, Dorset, BH21 1AS
Website: The Allendale
GILLINGHAM CARNIVAL WEEK
Info: The week features a variety of traditional carnival events, including a walking treasure hunt, a baby show, bingo, a quiz night, and a fun fair.
Dates: Sunday 28th September – Saturday 4th October 2025
Location: Across Gillingham
Website: Gillingham Carnival
Please always check an event is running before travelling as cancellations can occur. If you know of any more family friendly events in September then please do Contact Us.
Need more ideas for the things to do with the family?
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