A number of musical treats are being lined up across Purbeck in Dorset for spring and summer 2026, from Swanage Bandstand’s biggest programme of concerts in recent times, to classical Coldplay by candlelight at St Mary’s Church in Wareham.
Swanage Town Band is starting off its 2026 season with a completely new event, and one of Swanage’s popular entertainers Karen Grant is holding a 50th anniversary concert to celebrate a special milestone.
Swanage Town Band will begin the 2026 season with its first ever spring concert
Swanage Town Band departs from usual playlist
Swanage Town Band is holding its first ever spring concert in its long history, at Swanage Methodist Church on Saturday 16th May 2026.
Spokesperson Liz Roberts said:
“We are super excited to announce our very first ever spring concert which, as always, will be free to attend, with a retiring collection for Town Band funds.
“We’d love people to come along and enjoy some great music where we hope to show how versatile the band can be, with a few pieces that are quite different from the usual bandstand playlist!
“There was a town band in Swanage as early as 1864, and it was still in existence at the end of World War Two, but in 1995 it was reformed by Eric Gosney and Eddie Wright, starting with just eight musicians.
“There are now more than 40 musicians in the band and we perform every summer at Swanage Bandstand, attracting crowds of around 200. Our first bandstand gig of 2026 is on Saturday 23rd May during the Swanage Pirate Festival, so expect plenty of maritime music!”
Concert dates 2026
- Saturday 16th May: Swanage Methodist Church, 7 pm
- Saturday 8th August: St George’s Church Fete, Langton Matravers, 2 pm
- Various dates throughout 2026: Swanage Bandstand
Swanage Bandstand is a great spring and summer location to listen to music
Swanage Bandstand’s biggest line up
Swanage Bandstand hosts its first concert of the season on Tuesday 19th May 2026 at 7pm when Purbeck Big Band kicks off the biggest programme of entertainment in recent times with more than 20 events planned for the year.
A paper leaflet has been produced to promote the bandstand with information about its history and restoration, available at Swanage Information Centre and also from the noticeboard next to the bandstand where there is also a full list of 2026 concerts advertised.
Alan Houghton, who led fundraising for the restoration of Swanage Bandstand, said:
“We are delighted that so many bands want to come to Swanage to play here, and bring money into the town – one of them, the Waterloo Band and Bugles of the Rifles, from as far as Abingdon.
“The bandstand has more events booked this year than last year, and the list will be updated on the events board as more are added.
“We are very excited to announce the first ever Swanage Bandstand flyer, which is a wonderful leaflet, very informative, and we are really appreciative of the information centre for doing it.”
Concerts dates 2026
- Tuesday 19th May: Purbeck Big Band, 7 pm to 8 pm
- Saturday 23rd May: Swanage Town Band, 2.30 pm
- Saturday 6th June: Swanage Town Band, 2.30 pm
- Tuesday 16th June: Purbeck Big Band, 7 pm to 8 pm
- Saturday 20th June: Swanage Town Band, 2.30 pm
- Saturday 27th June: Bisham Town Band, 2 pm to 4 pm
- Sunday 28th June: Devizes Town Band, 2 pm to 4 pm
- Saturday 4th July: Wareham Town Band, 2 pm to 4 pm
- Sunday 5th July: Lymington Town Band, 1.30 pm to 4.30 pm
- Wednesday 8th July: Swanage Town Band, 7 pm
- Tuesday 14th July: Purbeck Big Band, 7 pm to 8 pm
- Saturday 18th July: Shrewton Silver Band, 12 noon to 4 pm
- Sunday 19th July: Shaftesbury Silver Town Band, 2 pm to 5 pm
- Thursday 23rd July: The Waterloo Band & Bugles, 2 pm to 2.30 pm
- Wednesday 29th July: Swanage Town Band, 7 pm
- Thursday 30th July: The Waterloo Band & Bugles, 2 pm to 2.30 pm
- Saturday 8th August: Trinity Concert Band, 2 pm to 4 pm
- Sunday 16th August: Wareham Town Band, 2 pm to 4 pm
- Sunday 23rd August: Wareham Town Band, 2 pm to 4 pm
- Tuesday 25th August: Purbeck Big Band, 7 pm to 8 pm
- Wednesday 26th August: Swanage Town Band, 7 pm
The Belvedere Singers are back in St Mary’s Church, Swanage, for their spring concert
Belvedere Singers take walk in the woods
The Belvedere Singers hold its spring concert on Saturday 16th May 2026 at St Mary’s Church, Swanage, with a retiring collection for Forest Holme Hospice.
Musical director Clive Watkiss said:
“We will be taking a walk in the woods from a musical point of view with flowers, trees and birds featured in music by Saint-Saëns – Les Fleurs et Les Arbres – and Charles Stanford’s The Bluebird.
“Saint-Saëns, with the exception of a handful of very well known works, is perhaps a rather neglected composer in this country, and his lesser known Ave Maria, composed in 1914, is a subtle and beautiful work not to be missed.
“Solos by Amy Jerman and Martha Harwood, both Purbeck Youth Music Ambassadors, and our talented choir accompanist Angus Murray-Brown, will round off an excellent evening of music proving that we all still possess the Rhythm of Life!”
Concert date 2026
- Saturday 16th May 2026: St Mary’s Church, Swanage, 7.30 pm
Karen Grant celebrates her 50th year of entertaining
Karen Grant celebrates 50 years of music
Swanage entertainer Karen Grant is celebrating her 50th anniversary of public performances to raise money for charities and good causes, with a concert on Thursday 21st May 2026 at Newton Manor Hall.
Karen Grant said:
“I learned piano at the age of five and from the age of eight on Saturdays I would go to play for a local ballet school to earn some pocket money, but from the age of 10 I have been going into residential and care homes to entertain.
“As a Girl Guide I had been to a home for the deaf and the disabled and thought how nice it would be to do something for these lovely people, so I got together with some pals and we arranged a concert for them and raised about £10 for their home.
“Since then, raising money for good causes has always been in the background, and I still go around the care homes and residential homes, which I love.
“We moved to Swanage 22 years ago, I was a boarding school house matron at The Old Malt House, Langton Matravers, and I’ve always sung with local choirs.”
Karen will be back in St James’s Church, Kingston, for a concert in June to raise money for the building
“I’ve managed to raise £26,000”
Karen, who also has a concert at St James’ Church in Kingston on Sunday 21st June 2026, to raise money for the church, added:
“I’ve always had so much support from the fantastic local community – over the last 10 years I have managed to raise £26,000 and wanted to mark my 50 years of entertaining, which I thought was quite a milestone to hit.
“The evening concert I am doing at Newton Manor is to raise money for the Psoriasis Association and also an accessible lift for the disabled at The Mowlem.
“The first song I used to sing, from the age of four, was Lily the Pink by The Scaffold, so that is going to be part of my concert through to some opera and musical numbers.
“Music tastes have changed so much over the years, when I first started singing in care homes the residents wanted to listen to songs from the war years and music halls, but it’s much more modern now!”
Concert dates 2026
- Thursday 21st May: Newton Manor Hall, High Street, Swanage, 7 pm
- Sunday 21st June: St James’ Church, Kingston, 2 pm
Lumos bring their candlelit concerts to Purbeck for the first time with a Coldplay special at the Priory Church of Lady St Mary, Wareham
Classical Coldplay by candlelight
The Priory Church of Lady St Mary, Wareham, will host a classical Coldplay candlelight experience when a string trio plays 10 of the band’s best known hits.
The event on Friday 12th June 2026 is staged by Lumos, a company known for staging concert experiences paying homage to world famous artists in spectacular locations across the UK – but this will be the first time they have played in Purbeck.
A Lumos spokesperson said:
“We believe music should be more than just heard, it should be felt, and our candlelit concerts transform timeless classics and modern favourites into unforgettable live experiences.
“From Coldplay to Vivaldi, Abba to Beyonce, each show is designed to move hearts, spark memories, and create moments you’ll never forget.
“Every venue we choose is handpicked for its character, charm, and atmosphere. Whether it’s a grand theatre, a hidden gem, or a historic church, the glow of thousands of candles turns it into a place where music feels truly magical.
“We’re here to remind people of the power of live music, to connect, to heal, to bring joy, and we believe that in the glow of candlelight, every note feels just a little more special.”
Concert date 2026
- Friday 12th June 2026: Priory Church of Lady St Mary, Wareham, 7 pm and 10 pm
A string trio will play classical versions of Coldplay’s greatest hits, including Yellow, Clocks and Viva La Vida
Watch a clip of a Lumos concert
Further information
- More about Swanage Town Band
- More about concerts at Swanage Bandstand
- More about the Belvedere Singers
- Book Lumos tickets for Wareham concert
