Wednesday, July 8

The Longest Yarn 2 Britain at War exhibition is now open at the Nothe Fort in Weymouth until August 31. The 80m textile installation explores the social history of the Second World War. The exhibition also features life-sized, hand-crafted figures, honouring those who served. Entry free with an annual pass (from £4.50 child to £26.50 for two adults and two kids).

World-famous music scene photographer Adrian Boot shows his work at the Punk Bridport exhibition, Bridport Arts Centre (DT6 3NR) until August 22. Weds to Sat, 10am-4pm. Explore the spirit of punk rock through a series of powerful images. Free (voluntary donations).

More than 20 artists are exhibiting in Sturminster Newton Art Weeks, which runs across 30 venues from now until July 19. Pick up an art trail brochure from businesses around the town or check out sturminster-newton.org.uk

A talk about state benefits and grants for people of pension age will be held at St George’s Church Hall Fordington DT1 1LB. Free. Info: 07788 436797 or rosemary.rogers@oddfellows.co.uk

Thursday, July 9

The internationally acclaimed Gaudier Ensemble return to St Mary’s Church, Cerne Abbas until July 11 for a series of concerts highlighting the Romantic and classical periods including pieces by Mozart, Brahms and Schubert. The ensemble is joined by leading pianist Alasdair Beatson and renowned violinist Stephanie Gonley. Details and tickets at cerneabbasmusicfestival.org.uk or call 0333 666 3366 Mon-Fri 9am-7pm.

The Dorchester Oddfellows will visit Bennett’s Water Gardens, Chickerell, DT3 4AF. Meet at entrance at 2pm. All welcome. Join the Oddfellows for a tea after enjoying a stroll around the garden. Entrance fee £13.95, or members pay £10. Info: Rosemary 07788436797 or rosemary.rogers@oddfellows.co.uk

Friday, July 10

Dorchester Oddfellows host a coffee and get together with bring and buy 10.30-noon at Crossways Village Hall. Contact Mary Brewer 01305 853125 marybrewer44@icloud.com

Saturday, July 11

It’s Cider Saturday at Dorset Nectar Cider! Come on down every week, 5.30pm to 8pm at the farm in Waytown, Bridport DT6 5FT and enjoy delicious food (veggie option) and live music from Cobalt Blue.

The Dorset Wrecks perform a Sea-Song & Shanty Concert, 7.30pm (doors open 7pm), at St Nicholas Church, Broadwey, Weymouth DT3 5DN. Cash bar. Tickets £10, cash preferable, proceeds to National Coastwatch, Portland Bill and St Nicholas Church Repair Fund. Tickets: 07944 617553 or susanamalik@yahoo.com

Sydling Church Fete will be held 2pm-5pm on the village green. There’ll be Punch & Judy, Scrufts dog show, a petless pet show, a choir, a fortune teller, raffle, gymnasts, treasure hunt, plants, bouncy castle, white elephant and food and drink. Entry £2, U16 free.

The Rose Queen Festival will be held 1pm-4pm at St Edmund’s Church, Lanehouse Rocks Road, DT4 9HZ. A community afternoon with a kids fun zone including bouncy castle slide, performances from Amberlights Majorettes, live music, bar, refreshments, tombolas and raffle plus lots of local stalls.

Dorset Ceramics Market, featuring more than 25 potters and ceramic artists, will be held at the Corn Exchange, Dorchester 10am-4pm. Dorset Clay Cooperative is bringing together a one-day market celebrating the variety and versatility of contemporary ceramics, with makers from across Dorset and further afield, including the 2026 winner of Channel 4’s The Great Pottery Throwdown, Fynn Allen. Diana Parker, a Dorset potter who was a semi-finalist from series eight of the same programme, is also joining the market with her porcelain and stoneware decorated pottery. Browse and buy work spanning sculpture, homewares, ceramic art, jewellery, garden pottery and functional tableware made using a range of methods and firing techniques. Free entry.

Bridport & West Dorset Rambling Club 7.5-mile walk from Maiden Newton. Details on 01308 898484 or 01308 863340. New members/visitors welcome.

Wellworthy Bowls Club at Dumbarton Road, Wyke Regis, is holding an open morning today and every Saturday 10am-noon. Come and try your hand at bowls! Wear flat-bottomed shoes. Contact: Carol on 07817 393178 or caroldixon55@gmail.com

Beaminster Museum is holding a Finds Day from noon-2pm, when finds liaison officer Ciorstaidh Hayward Trevarthen will help identify and record any archaeological (not geological) items found within the county boundaries. Admission is free, but donations are welcome. Whitcombe Rd, Beaminster DT8 3NB. beaminstermuseum.co.uk

The Dorset Sinfonia will be joined by musicians from Dorchester Middle School to play a medley of popular tunes from the worlds of film, stage and video games at United Church, South Street, DT1 1BY at 6pm. Tickets £10 for adults and £5 for children (under 5s free) on the door or from dorsetsinfonia.co.uk

Sunday, July 12

The Katz – a local four-piece rock and roll band covering music from the 60s to modern day will play Greenhill Gardens 2pm-4pm. Free.

Weymouth Concert Brass will play 2pm-4pm in Radipole Park, courtesy of the Friends Group, with the Quangle Wangle choir in the interval. Free parking. Refreshments and toilets available at the cafe.

The Sherborne Steam and Waterwheel Centre is holding its annual gala day 11.30am-3.30pm. The waterwheel and steam engines will be running. Tea, coffee and basic refreshments, picnic area, toilet. Wheelchair access to all areas except for the visitor centre and toilet. Park in Oborne Road. Entry by donation. New members and volunteers warmly welcomed. Sswc.co.uk

Monday, July 13

Dorchester Townswomen’s Guild meets at Dorchester Community Church, Liscombe Street, Poundbury, DT1 3DF for a talk by Fiona Kent-Ledger on scams at 2pm. Fiona focuses on protecting communities, especially older and vulnerable individuals from doorstep, online, phone and many more scams.

Tuesday, July 14

Royal British Legion, Dorchester Branch will hold a meet and greet social event 11am-1pm at The Junction Hotel, Great Western Road, DT1 1UF. Meetings are held on the 2nd Tuesday of each month. All welcome.

Southill Gardening Club hosts Dorset-based garden designer Jenny Short for a presentation entitled Through the Garden Gate – a selection of distinctive gates and the gardens behind them. Southill Community Centre at 7.30pm. Non-members welcome. Further info from Nigel Smith on 01305 788939.

A friendly drawing/ painting/ mixed media class is held every Tuesday 10am to 12.30pm upstairs at the Dorset Craft Workshop, The Mews, Durngate street, Dorchester, DT1 1JP. Each session costs £12. They are a friendly mixed group of all levels and welcome anyone who wants to draw or paint. Experienced members are able to give advice and help to beginners. Email Eian Mantle at eianmantle@yahoo.co.uk for more information.

Thursday, July 16

There’s cash bingo at Charleton Horethorne village hall (DT9 4FY), 6.30pm, eyes down 7pm. 01935 814199. Proceeds to hall funds.

The Dorchester Branch of the Children’s Society host their annual cream tea 2.30pm-4pm in St George’s Church Hall, Fordington. Freshly baked scones, cream and jam, accompanied with a cup of tea, will be served by waitresses. All welcome. Tickets £5 on the door.

All are welcome at a memory café in Bridport’s St Swithun’s Church Hall, North Allington, DT6 5DU, 2pm-3.30pm (1st & 3rd Thursdays). Refreshments will be available, there’s no charge and there’s no need to book a place. For info call Mel: 07860 592407 or Jim: 07719 074485 email: admindorset@alzheimers.org.uk

Saturday, July 18

The Sherborne Open Art Exhibition, staged by Sherborne Art Club and Sherborne Arts, will hold its annual exhibition at the Digby Hall (next to the library), Hound Street, Sherborne until Sunday, July 26. The exhibition is open 10am-5pm daily apart from the last Sunday, when it will close at 1pm. Admission is free and a weekend café will be available.

There’s a vintage toy fair in Sherborne at the Digby Memorial Hall, DT9 3NL, from 8.30am (£5 entry, £3 after 9am), closing at 1.30pm. Around 30 toy sellers, offering vintage favourites and rare items. They will also buy items visitors bring along. More fairs will be held on Saturdays October 3, November 28 and December 19. Contact Hilary on 07736 666414 or hilarychisholm@ aol.com to book a stall.

Bridport & West Dorset Rambling Club 7.5-mile walk from Ringstead. 01308 898484 or 01308 863340. New members/visitors welcome.

It’s Cider Saturday at Dorset Nectar Cider! Come on down every week, 5.30pm to 8pm at the farm in Waytown, Bridport DT6 5FT and enjoy delicious food (veggie option) and live music from Joey Clarkson and Pete Dixon.

St Peter’s Church, Dorchester will hold a free lunchtime concert with Laura Jones (flute) and Rob Taylor (piano) 12.30-1pm.

There’s a cream tea and fancy dress show 2.30-4.30pm at St Swithun’s Church, Allington, Bridport DT6 5DU, featuring St Swithun’s Brass Band, raffle, tombola, fresh produce stall, teddy bear tombola plus lots of fun and games for all the family. Extra parking at Amsafe, all welcome.

A fun afternoon is on offer at Godmanstone Garden Fete at 2pm, with lots of stalls and games plus a traditional tea tent offering savouries, cakes, and cream teas. Adults £2.50, children free. Manor Farm House Gardens, DT2 7AQ (on A352 between Godmanstone and Cerne). Parking at Manor Farm and follow the signs.

A coffee morning will be held at All Saints church, Wyke Regis, 10am to midday. Cakes, books, Fairtrade stall.

Wyke Regis Community Film Club presents Taxi Tehran at Wyke Regis Memorial Hall, 7pm, starring and directed by Jafar Panahi. Having been banned from producing films by the Government of Iran in 2010, Panahi openly defies the ruling regime by posing as a taxi driver and documenting the interactions he has with his passengers. Entry £6.50 to include a glass of wine, beer, or soft drink. Book now at parishofwykeregis.org.uk/events or contact Jeff on 07710 096174, or pay on the door.

Sunday, July 19

The Cattistock Countryside Show and Dorset Knob Throwing event will be held off the A356 northwest of Maiden Newton in the direction of Crewkerne. There’s a dog show, a pony show and flower and produce show, plus all the fun of the knob games. Tickets £12, U16s free, at cattistockshow.co.uk

St Peter’s Church, Dorchester is holding a Choral Eucharist at 10.30am, with music by Dubra and Mozart.

Weymouth Concert Brass will play Greenhill Gardens 2pm-4pm. Free. There’s an open mic poetry afternoon 3pm-5pm at The Occasional Bookshop, 16 Durngate St, Dorchester (01305 261186). Poets and listeners are welcome. Free entry, doors open at 2.30pm.

Stoke Abbott Street Fair will be held 2pm-5pm. One of the region’s most popular events, the fair will open with the historic Sick Club Parade. There will be stalls, live entertainment, ferret-racing, cream teas, the ever-popular Book Barn and more. Highlights include The Big Foolini Magic Show at 3pm together with the Discover Farming team, who will have hands-on rural activities for all ages too. This year, proceeds will go to support the Beaminster Foodbank as well as St Mary’s church and the village hall. Free parking from the Beaminster end. Entry £3, U16 free.

Tuesday, July 21

Turn Lyme Green hosts a free talk entitled Recycling: Where does it go? at 7pm in Driftwood Café, Baptist Church in Broad Street, Lyme Regis. Marten Gregory of Dorset Waste Services will give a round up plus a review of national policies. Refreshments available.

Performances start today for Dorset Opera Festival, and continue until Saturday, July 25, with matinées on Thurs 23rd and Sat 25th. It’s the 52nd festival and features two world class Korean singers, performing in the UK for the first time. Enjoy Donizetti’s charming and humorous L’elisir d’amore and Saint-Saëns’ dramatic biblical epic Samson et Dalila, accompanied by a pre-ordered picnic or a five-course opera dinner at Bryanston, near Blandford. Tickets are priced from £49-£110, with subsidised £10 tickets for those under 26 in full-time education at all performances and £40 for those age 40 and under at the Friday performance of L’elisir d’amore. dorsetopera.com or call 07570 366 186.

Wednesday, July 22

Friends of Bridport Millennium Green will be holding a jigsaw stall in Bucky Doo Square from 9.30am-1pm. Complete jigsaws and books wanted. Will collect. Contact 01308 423078.

Thursday, July 23

Wessex Artists present an exhibition celebrating the colours and landscapes of the Jurassic Coast. Kaleidoscope is on daily until Sunday, August 2, 10.30am-4.30pm at Eype Centre For The Arts, St Peter’s Church, near Bridport (DT6 6AR). Meet the artists. Art for sale. Free parking.

Jenny Penney Makers Shop & Gallery, Mangerton Mill, Bridport DT6 3SG, will host a talk by author Georgia Piggott on 17th century food, with samples to taste and recipes to try at home, 7pm-8.30pm. Free parking, Level access. Tickets £3, booking essential on 07768 223030.

Saturday, July 25

Bridport & West Dorset Rambling Club 7-mile walk from West Milton. 01308 898484 or 01308 863340. Visitors welcome.

Join a pilgrimage from Dorchester to Jackman’s Cross, above the Cerne Valley. Meet at the bandstand in Dorchester Borough Gardens at 9.30am. Expect to return at about 3.30pm after an 11.5-mile walk. Bring lunch. Further information from jpsburn@gmail.com

St Peter’s Church, Dorchester will hold a Choral Evensong with music by Rose, Rutter, Howells and Rheinberger at 4.30pm.

Wyke Regis Gardening Club is holding an open day at its clubhouse 9.30am-2.30pm, with a tabletop sale with cakes, second hand books and other goods plus shop items and of course plants! Refreshments available in the café. The club’s last trading day before the summer break is July 29 and they reopen on September 5. The Clubhouse in Rylands Lane is open on Wednesdays 2pm-4pm and Saturdays 9.30am-12.30pm. Membership is £10 per year. For more information email enquiries@wrhs.org.uk or call 01305 602137.

Love Parks Day Returns to Dorchester’s Borough Gardens between 11am and 3pm. This year’s event features bouncy castles, face painting, tennis taster sessions, Dorchester Gymnastics, arts and crafts, science fun with Mini Professors, Nikki’s Little Play Café, and hands-on activities from Discover Dorchester, Dorchester Youth Council, and the Keep Military Museum.

A village fête with all the traditional fun and an appearance from the Big Foolini, a wandering magician, is being held in Puncknowle Manor’s gardens 2pm-4pm. Entry £1 (under 12s free), free parking.

Dorset Chamber Choir holds its summer concert: Summertime – Choral Music by English composers from the 16th to 20th centuries at a new venue, St Mary’s Church in Sturminster Marshall (BH21 4BU) at 7pm. The choir will be singing a set of madrigals from the 16th and 17th centuries, as well as From the Bavarian Highlands by Edward Elgar (1837-1934), Four Songs for Sailors by George Dyson (1883-1964) and Choral Dances from Gloriana by Benjamin Britten (1913-1976). Tickets £12, U18 free. Buy from choir members, or on the door (cash or card). dorsetchamberchoir.com

Sunday, July 26

Netherbury Repair Café is held at the hall on the last Sunday of the month, 10am-12pm. Bring your garden tools to be repaired and sharpened, and items to be fixed, including electricals, bikes, textiles, ceramics, electronics, wooden and metal items. The cafe offers home-made cakes, delicious coffee and a range of Clipper teas. Vegan and vegetarian-friendly. They are always looking for new volunteers! Contact Lisa Willis on 07870 950 666 or info@repaircafenetherbury.org repaircafenetherbury.org

Sherborne Supercars & Classics Show will be held at Sherborne Castle, offering a fantastic day of events and displays including motor club stands, motor trade stands, autojumble, craft fair and fun activities for the whole family. More than 1,500 cars will be on display, from veteran and heritage vehicles to the latest supercars. Tickets at classic-supercars.co.uk

An afternoon recital of organ and voice will be hosted by Upwey Music at 3pm at St Laurence’s Church. William Bishop on organ and piano will be joined by singer Irina Temerel. Free with a collection for the upkeep of the organ. Refreshments, cash only.

Head to Mapperton from today until Sunday, September 6 for Chip and Willow’s Wildland Adventures, a family nature trail led by Mapperton’s two beavers. Children can buy a £5 Nature Passport, complete six outdoor activities, collect stamps and return throughout the holidays at no extra child cost. Expect minibeast hunts, butterfly spotting, bug hotel building, tree challenges, nature art and planting a seed to take home. Book at ecom.roller.app/ mapperton/booknow/en/product/1334602

Let’s Go Fly! Kite Festival will take place on The Great Field in Poundbury 11am-4.30pm. Dorchester Tourism Partnership is working with White Horse Kite Flyers to deliver some amazing kite displays and free kite making activities.

Local band The Originals will be playing hits from the 50s-80s such as Dire Straits, The Eagles, The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Searchers, Status Quo and many more at The Friends of Greenhill Gardens (FOGG) Weymouth summer fayre and live music event 2pm-4pm – free! A fun afternoon with a homemade cake sale, cards, jewellery and book stalls, plus a fabulous raffle.

Bridport’s monthly vintage market will be held from 10am-3pm, with antiques, clothes, vintage items, live music and more. Head to St Michael’s trading estate (DT6 3RB).

Tuesday, July 28

Dorchester Oddfellows meet 10am-noon for their regular coffee and chat at The Kings Arms Hotel, High East Street, DT1 1HF. The first two coffees/ teas are on the Oddfellows, bar snacks are available to buy. Rosemary 07788 436797/ rosemarywdt2@gmail.com

Bridport U3A will host a talk at 2pm at Bridport United Church Hall, East Street DT6 3LJ. Sally Smith on The Woman Who Went Round The World. The talk lasts an hour followed by Q&A. Visitors £3.

Friday, July 31

Adults with physical and/or learning disabilities are being invited to a new gaming café at the Dorset Youth Association hut next to the ambulance station in Lubbecke Way, Dorchester, from 2pm-4.30pm. Enjoy gaming with a range of adaptations, learn how to use AI to create your own games and more. Strictly over-18s. To learn more, find Louis’ Accessible Gaming Café on Facebook or call 07493 306736 or email louisgamescafe@gmail.com

Poole Harbour Festival kicks off today and runs until Sunday, August 2 at Baiter Park, Poole, BH15 1UY. Tickets from £34 adult, £110 weekend, £237 family. pooleharbourfestival.com

Saturday, August 1

It’s Cider Saturday at Dorset Nectar Cider! Come on down every week, 5.30pm to 8pm at the farm in Waytown, Bridport DT6 5FT and enjoy delicious food (veggie option) and live music from Cobalt Blue.

The Great Dorset Chilli Festival is being held at Stock Gaylard near Sturminster Newton (DT10 2BG) today and tomorrow. Sauces, plants, competitions plus crafts and homewares and 20 teams will compete to produce the best curry and the best chilli with visitors judging the entries. Lots for children, plus live music. Tickets £9.50 at greatdorsetchillifestival.co.uk

Bridport & West Dorset Rambling Club 7-mile walk from Hawkchurch. Info on 01308 898484 or 01308 863340. Visitors welcome.

Loders fete will be held 2pm-5pm in the idyllic grounds of Loders Court (DT6 3RZ, next to Loders Church). Stalls include tea tent, bar, BBQ, grand raffle, tombola, coconut shy, fresh produce and preserves, cakes, plants, books, silent auction and more – there will be magic and mayhem from children’s entertainer Count Backwards, Punch and Judy, music from Lyme Regis Town Band, a dog show and a classic vehicle display.

Sunday, August 2

Martin Clunes’ Men Behaving Badly co-star Neil Morrissey will be making a guest appearance at the star’s popular Buckham Fair, just outside Beaminster (DT8 3SH). Neil will help judge the dog show – there is even a ‘dog most like Neil Morrissey’ category. Tickets are £20 in advance and £25 on the gate. Free parking. buckhamfair.com

Dr Jazz play music from the golden age of jazz in Greenhill Gardens 2pm-4pm.

Monday, August 3

Sherborne Abbey hosts an exhibition by Jim Johnson of photographs of Dorset’s churches – interiors, architecture, art, and furniture. Dorset & Beyond: A Discovery of Churches is on until August 28. Free admission. More info at byjimj@gmail.com

Wednesday, August 5

There will be a floral demonstration by Carrie Diamond at Dorchester and District Gardening Club’s August meeting, exploring some of the different options for water storage for arrangements now we are trying to use much less floral foam. United Church Hall, 49/51 Charles Street, Dorchester DT1 1EE, doors open 7.15pm. No booking necessary, £4 on the door. Bring and buy stall and draw. All welcome. Contact: Jane 01305 268523 or dorchestergardening@gmail.com

Thursday, August 6

There’s giant paddle board racing at 5pm at The Official Test Centre, Osprey Quay, Hamm Beach Rd, Portland DT5 1SA, as part of Weymouth Lifeboat Week. Teams of six-plus. Email info@otc-windsurf.com to register your teams. £10pp.

Saturday, August 8

There’s a host of Lifeboat Week fun in Weymouth today, with a Lifeboat Open Day from 10.30am-3pm on Nothe Parade (DT4 8TX), a family fun day and emergency services display noon-6pm in Nothe Gardens (DT4 8UF) and a lifeboat display at 4pm in Newton’s Cove (DT4 8UR).

There’s a flea market at the Digby Memorial Hall, Sherborne, DT9 3NL, from 9am-1.30pm. Free entry. Contact Hilary on 07736 666414 or hilarychisholm@ aol.com to book a stall.

One World Festival will be held in Dorchester’s Borough Gardens today from 11am-4pm – a brilliant free annual event celebrating local cultural diversity through world music, dance, activities, and a global food village. The WDM will be there – come and say hello!

There’s bingo at Maiden Newton village hall, doors 2pm, eyes down 2.30pm.

Bridport & West Dorset Rambling Club 8 mile walk from Abbotsbury. For further information please ring 01308 898484 or 01308 863340.

Blessing of the lifeboats at 1pm on Weymouth’s Nothe Parade, with the Salvation Army Band.

Singer Darron Garnett will bring cool swing style to Greenhill Gardens 2pm-4pm, showcasing the songs of Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Bobby Darin, Nat King Cole, Michael Bublé and more!

The Sherborne Steam and Waterwheel Centre is holding an open day 11.30am-3.30pm. Waterwheel and steam engines will be running. Basic food, picnic area, toilet. Wheelchair access to all areas except for the visitor centre and toilet. Park in Oborne Road. Entry by donation. New members and volunteers warmly welcomed. Sswc.co.uk