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.
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
FOODIE FEST
Info: This year’s festival is set to be bigger and better than ever. Bring your friends and family to enjoy a day of great food, drinks and entertainment.
Good to know: FREE ENTRY!
Date: Saturday 4th July 2026
Address: Muscliff Park, Shillingstone Drive, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH9 3LR
Website: Foodie Fest
SKYGLOW MUSIC FESTIVAL
Info: SkyGlow Music Festival is a full day of family fun, filled with live tribute music, stunt shows, inflatables, and hands-on activities for all ages. The event is designed to be exciting for children and relaxed for parents, with something happening throughout the day.
Date: Saturday 4th July 2026
Address: Dorchester Showground, Dorchester, DT2 7SD
Website: SkyGlow Music 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
FAMFEST LIVE!
Info: FamFest Live is a festival packed with everything you love – live entertainment, amazing food, and fun experiences for all ages!
Good to know: Children under 10 go FREE!
Date: Sunday 5th July 2026
Address: Dorchester Showground, Acland Road, Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 1EF
Website: FamFest Live
COUNTRY IN THE PARK
Info: Country in the Park brings the best of country music together with southern state USA activities, vehicles, stalls, food and drink for the ultimate celebration of Americana.
Good to know: Children 2 and under go FREE!
Date: Sunday 5th July 2026
Address: Upton Country Park, Poole Road, Upton, Poole, Dorset, BH17 7BJ
Website: Country in the Park
BREDY REUNION
Info: A small festival in the heart of Dorset with an incredible line-up of some of the best dance acts and DJ’s around! Camping and glamping options are available.
Dates: Thursday 9th – Saturday 11th July 2026
Address: Bredy Farm, Bredy Lane, Burton Bradstock, Bridport, Dorset, DT6 4ND
Website: Bredy Farm
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
WESTIVAL
Info: There’s an amazing day of activities and attractions planned with live music, thrilling mountain bike stunt shows, kids’ magic and entertainment, creative kids’ crafts, spectacular birds of prey flying displays, small animal petting, car show, climbing wall and bouldering cave, stalls, food and drinks.
Good to know: FREE EVENT!
Date: Saturday 11th July 2026
Address: Fryer Field, West Moors, Dorset, BH22 0LL
Website: West Moors Town Council
SUMMER CAMP OUT
Info: Get ready for a full-on ska explosion. There’s 40+ bands and DJ’s over the weekend, local food and drink, plus family friendly activities for all ages.
Good to know: Kids under 5 go FREE!
Dates: Thursday 16th – Sunday 19th July 2026
Address: Pilford Farm, Pilford Heath Road, Wimborne, Dorset, BH21 7BD
Website: Summer Camp Out
THE RUSTIC STOMP
Info: A family-friendly, roots-driven music festival in the heart of Dorset. Enjoy three days of Americana, folk, blues and alternative music across four unique stages.
Good to know: Children under 16 go FREE!
Dates: Friday 17th – Sunday 19th July 2026
Address: Knoll Farm, Soldiers Road, Wareham, Dorset, BH20 5DU
Website: Rustic Stomp
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
SUMMERFEST
Info: Summerfest promises an action packed day full of entertainment, live music, sports tournaments, food and drink stalls, and family entertainment.
Date: Saturday 18th July 2026
Address: Redlands Leisure Centre, Dorchester Road, Weymouth, Dorset, DT3 5AW
Website: Weymouth Round Table
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
GREAT DORSET CHILLI FESTIVAL
Info: A great weekend for chilli enthusiasts, food lovers and families with stalls, artisan food producers, music, chilli eating competitions, street food and more.
Good to know: Children aged 10 and under go FREE!
Dates: Saturday 1st & Sunday 2nd August 2026
Address: Stock Gaylard Estate, Sturminster Newton, Dorset, DT10 2BG
Website: Great Dorset Chilli Festival
ONE WORLD FESTIVAL
Info: This festival celebrates the diversity of cultures in Dorchester through music, dance, food and activities. You can expect live music, stalls, workshops for adults and children plus a bouncy castle.
Good to know: FREE ENTRY!
Date: Saturday 8th August 2026
Address: The Borough Gardens, Cornwall Road, Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 1RG
Website: South West Dorset Multicultural Network
JURASSIC FIELDS MUSIC FESTIVAL
Info: Jurassic Fields showcases amazing live music, food and entertainment. Camping options are available.
Dates: Friday 14th – Sunday 16th August 2026
Address: West Bay Fields, Nr Broomhill Farm, West Bay Fields, Bridport, DT6 5LB
Website: Jurassic Fields Music Festival
LIL GIANT FESTIVAL
Info: Get ready for an unforgettable weekend escape filled with electrifying live music, incredible food, outdoor adventure, and the simple joy of camping — all included in your ticket. Expect a seriously good soundtrack all weekend long. From some of the best DJs on the South Coast, to spoken-word poetry and funk, the music is as varied as it is vibrant. Expect real ale brewed on site, alongside a mouth-watering food. There are loads of activities to dive into, whatever your age. Get hands-on with bushcraft sessions, jump into family games, cheer on the talent show, and keep the kids buzzing with dedicated activities. Balance it all out with wellbeing experiences like yoga and sound baths or wander through stalls hosted by eclectic local traders offering everything from clothing and crafts to unique handmade treasures.
Dates: Friday 14th – Sunday 16th August 2026
Address: Cerne Abbas Brewery, Dorchester Road, Cerne Abbas, Dorchester, Dorset, DT2 7JS
Website: South Coast Family Events
RIVERSIDE FEST
Info: A music festival in the beautiful countryside in the heart of North Dorset. Raising money for Children With Cancer UK, The Vale Pantry and the Big Yellow Bus Project. There will be a fantastic line up of live music, stalls, workshops and children’s entertainment.
Date: Saturday 15th August 2026
Address: Riverside Meadows, Sturminster Newton, Dorset, DT10 2BS
Facebook: Riverside Fest
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
BECIDER SEASIDE 22
Info: The little music festival that packs a big punch – a super friendly and chilled atmosphere meaning you can relax, let your hair down and enjoy yourselves without a care in the world! Camping and glamping options are available.
Dates: Friday 28th – Sunday 30th August 2026
Address: Bredy Farm, Bredy Lane, Burton Bradstock, Bridport, Dorset, DT6 4ND
Website: Bredy Farm
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
STURMINSTER NEWTON CHEESE FESTIVAL
Info: If you love cheese then this one is for you! Meet local producers, browse food and craft stalls, children’s activities and live music.
Good to know: Kids 15 and under go FREE!
Dates: Saturday 12th & Sunday 13th September 2026
Address: Recreation Ground, Sturminster Newton, Dorset, DT10 1BY
Website: Cheese Festival
If you know of any more family friendly festivals in Dorset then please do Contact Us.
Need more ideas for things to do with the family?
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.
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