Our Dorset Life

Whether you’re visiting Dorset on holiday or you’re lucky enough to live here, August is one of the busiest months of the year. From food festivals and carnivals to beach fireworks, family fun and live music, there’s something happening almost every day.

Here’s my week-by-week guide to what’s on across Dorset this August.

Week 1 (1st-9th August)

West Bay Weekend (1st-2nd August)

One of our favourite local events.

Expect live music, local food, classic cars, children’s entertainment and plenty of family fun throughout the weekend. It all finishes with a spectacular fireworks display over West Bay on Sunday evening. 

Dorset Food & Art Festival (1st August)

Held in Poundbury, this free festival celebrates local food, drink, makers and artists. A lovely day out if you enjoy supporting Dorset businesses. 

Stomping on the Quomps (1st August)

A popular family festival on the banks of the River Stour in Christchurch with music, entertainment and activities.

Poole Harbour Festival (1st-2nd August)

Camp Bestival (1st-2nd August)

Great Dorset Chilli Festival (1st-2nd August)

Lyme Regis Carnival Week (1st-8th August)

West Bay Regatta (8th August)

Watch gig racing in West Bay Harbour while enjoying one of Dorset’s prettiest seaside locations. 

BuzzFest at Careys Secret Garden (8th August)

A wonderful family-friendly day celebrating pollinators, wildlife and nature. 

One World Festival, Dorchester (8th August)

A free celebration of world cultures with music, food and performances. 

Mudeford RNLI Fun Day (9th August)

Swanage Lifeboat Week begins (9th August)

One of Dorset’s best-loved summer traditions with raft races, live music, demonstrations and plenty happening throughout the week. 

Week 2 (10th-16th August)

Swanage Lifeboat Week continues

Jurassic Fields Festival, West Bay (14th-16th August)

A fantastic family music festival just outside West Bay with live music, food and entertainment. 

Bournemouth Beach Fest (14th-16th August)

Christchurch Carnival (14th-16th August)

One of Dorset’s biggest community carnivals with parades, family entertainment and live performances. 

Riverside Fest (15th August)

Lyme Regis Lifeboat Week (15th-22nd August)

Burton Music & Arts Festival (15th-23rd August)

Dorchester Vegan Market Festival (14th August)

Held at Maumbury Rings with over 50 stalls and free entry. 

Week 3 (17th-23rd August)

Purbeck Valley Folk Festival (20th-23rd August)

Bridport Carnival (22nd August)

A brilliant local tradition with colourful floats, live entertainment and a funfair taking over the town. 

Torchlight Procession to West Bay (23rd August)

One of the most iconic Dorset events. Thousands of flaming torches make their way from Bridport to West Bay before a huge bonfire and fireworks display. 

Week 4 (24th-31st August)

Melplash Agricultural Show (27th August)

One of the South West’s biggest agricultural shows with livestock, food, crafts, shopping and family entertainment. 

BeCider Seaside Festival (27th-29th August)

Lyme Regis Folk Weekend (28th-31st August)

Anonymous Festival (31st August)

Weekly Fireworks

If you’re visiting Dorset with children (or just love a good fireworks display), there are lots of opportunities throughout August.

• West Bay Weekend Fireworks – Sunday 2nd August
• West Bay Torchlight Procession Fireworks – Sunday 23rd August
• Weymouth Fireworks – every Monday
• Wareham Fireworks – every Wednesday
• Poole Quay Fireworks – every Thursday
• Bournemouth Fireworks – every Friday 

My Top Picks

If I had to choose just five events this month, I’d go for:

• West Bay Weekend
• Swanage Lifeboat Week
• Jurassic Fields Festival
• Bridport Carnival & Torchlight Procession
• Melplash Agricultural Show

Whether you’re looking for family days out, local food festivals or somewhere to watch the sunset with fireworks, August is one of the very best times to explore Dorset.

Sarah x