From a sunny spring to a warm and mainly dry summer, there’s been no dramatic cancelling of events due to the weather so far for 2025, so there’s a full programme of activities in Swanage and the surrounding Dorset villages, lined up to enjoy.
Top of the list is the Swanage Carnival which takes place from Saturday 26th July to Saturday 2nd August with the show stopping attraction of The Red Arrows booked to kick off eight days of competitions, activities, food, drink, and music.
150th anniversary of Swanage RNLI will be marked during Swanage Lifeboat week in August
Swanage RNLI celebrates 150 years
The Mowlem – Swanage’s arts hub – is belting out classic hits throughout its Summer of Music, with top tribute artists, as well as putting on a great selection of films.
Plenty going on as usual at Durlston Country Park and lots more happening at Sandy Hill Arts at Corfe Castle.
The National Trust has organised a varied programme of summer activities at Studland, Corfe Castle and Brownsea Island.
And Swanage Lifeboat Week from Saturday 9th to Sunday 17th August is extra special as Swanage RNLI celebrates its 150th anniversary.
Let’s hope the weather stays good, so Swanage can continue to party throughout summer 2025!
Pick up a Swanage Carnival programme to know what’s on when
July 2025
Friday 25th
- Pop Up Bowie tribute act – The Mowlem 7.30 pm
- Marvellous Meadows children’s trail – Durlston Country Park, 10 am to 4 pm daily, until Monday 11th August
- Children’s History Walk – Swanage Pier, 11 am
Saturday 26th
- Swanage Carnival – The Red Arrows open the show at 11.30 am, fireworks at 9.45 pm. Events continue to Saturday 2nd August
- Tea and Cake at the Lookout – Swanage Coastwatch at Peveril Point 10.30 am to 3.30 pm
- Carnival parkrun – Durlston Country Park, 9 am
- Swanage Painting Club summer art exhibition – Catholic Church Hall, Victoria Avenue 10 am to 5 pm daily until Sunday 3rd August. Free admission
Sunday 27th
- Swanage Carnival Procession – Swanage town centre, from 2.45 pm
- Tea and Cake at the Lookout – Swanage Coastwatch at Peveril Point 10.30 am to 3.30 pm
- Park to Pier guided walk – Durlston Country Park, 10.30 am to 12.30 pm
Monday 28th
- A Purbeck Perspective art exhibition – Fine Foundation Gallery, Durlston Castle, daily 10.30 am to 4.30 pm, until Sunday 10th August
- Story Garden – Swanage Library 2.30 pm to 4.30 pm. Stories and craft activities for children. Free
- Summer of Play – Shell Bay, Studland, 10 am to 3 pm. Games on the National Trust beach for children and families. Free
Wednesday 30th
- Swanage Carnival Fireworks – Swanage Bay, 9.45 pm
- Wild Wednesdays – Durlston Learning Centre, 11 am to 3 pm. Painting and craft activities for children. Free
The Swanage Carnival Procession is always good to watch
August 2025
Friday 1st
- Swanage Carnival Wheelbarrow Race – Shore Road, 7.30 pm
- Poetry Weekend – Sandy Hill Arts, Corfe Castle until Sunday 3rd August
- Woodland Clan sculpture and activity trail for children – Sandy Hill Arts, Corfe Castle 10 am to 5 pm daily until 1st September
- Twelfth Night – Kimmeridge Bay, 6 pm. Outdoor performance by the Miracle Theatre supported by Artsreach
Saturday 2nd
- Swanage Carnival Fireworks – Swanage Bay, 9.45 pm
- Rough Guide to Durlston guided walk – Durlston Castle, 11.30 am to 1 pm
- Parkrun – Durlston Country Park, 9 am
- Three Parishes Fete – The Old Rectory, Church Knowle, from 2 pm
Monday 4th
- Supersonic Queen tribute act – The Mowlem 7.30 pm
- Summer of Play – Shell Bay, Studland, 10 am to 3 pm. Games on the National Trust beach for children and families. Free
Tuesday 5th
- Big Wild Sleepout – RSPB Arne from 2 pm on Tuesday to 12.30 pm on Wednesday 6th, for adults and older children
- Children’s History Walk – Swanage Pier, 11 am
Plenty of activities at Durlston Country Park over the holidays
Wednesday 6th
- Abba Stars UK tribute act – The Mowlem 7.30 pm
- Big Wild Sleepout – RSPB Arne from 2 pm on Wednesday to 12.30 pm on Thursday 7th, for families
- Wild Wednesdays – Durlston Learning Centre, 11 am to 3 pm. Painting and craft activities for children. Free
- Purbeck Folk Club – Langton Matravers village hall from 7.30 pm. Evening entertainment from Italian duo Duea and local musician Malcolm Lageu
- Potter Round the Point – Swanage Pier, 10.30 am to 12 noon. Two hour guided walk including Swanage Pier and Peveril Point
Thursday 7th
- Swanage and Purbeck Rotary’s summer fair – Sandpit Field 10 pm to 4 pm
- Castle Tour – Durlston Castle, 11 am to 12 noon. Free
- Make Your Own Nature Pendant for children – Durlston Castle in the Belvedere, drop in 11 am to 1 pm
- Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen outdoor theatre – National Trust Corfe Castle 7 pm. Performed by theatre company Illyria
Friday 8th
- Woodland Clan workshops for children – Sandy Hill Arts, Corfe Castle 10.30 am to 12 noon, and 1 pm to 2.30 pm
Watch out for the duck race (and the publicity!) at the start of lifeboat week
Saturday 9th
- Swanage Lifeboat Week – to Sunday 17th, Prince Albert Gardens
- Parkrun – Durlston Country Park, 9 am
- Meet a Moth – Durlston Castle, 11 am to 11.30 am. See what is in the moth trap. Free
- Drawing Beach Treasure workshop – Durlston Learning Centre, 11 am to 1 pm. Artist Madeline Devenay workshop for adults and children aged 8 and over
- The Upbeat Beatles tribute band – The Mowlem 7.30 pm
- St George’s Church Fete – Langton Matravers 2 pm
- The Isle of Purbeck model railway exhibition – Harman’s Cross village hall 10 am to 5 pm until 10th August
- Mouse Gets A Fright musical children’s show – Sandy Hill Arts, Corfe Castle 3 pm and 5 pm
- Woodland Clan workshops for children – Sandy Hill Arts, Corfe Castle 10.30 am to 12 noon, and 1 pm to 2.30 pm
Sunday 10th
- August Flowers Walk – Durlston Castle, 2.30 pm to 4 pm. Guided walk led by Ali Tuckey
- Margaret Green Animal Rescue country dog show – Church Knowle 11 am to 4 pm
- Colour Trail – Dorset Adventure Park, from 10 am. Tackle 50 obstacles along the 2 km mud trail with added colour
- Mouse Gets A Fright musical children’s show – Sandy Hill Arts, Corfe Castle 3 pm and 5 pm
- Woodland Clan workshops for children – Sandy Hill Arts, Corfe Castle 10.30 am to 12 noon, and 1 pm to 2.30 pm
Always look out for tea and cake at Peveril Point during the summer
Monday 11th
- Tina Live tribute act – The Mowlem 7.30 pm
- The Rivals outdoor theatre – Prince Albert Gardens 6 pm. Comedy performed as part of Swanage Lifeboat week by Rain or Shine Theatre Company
- Summer of Play – Shell Bay, Studland, 10 am to 3 pm. Games on the National Trust beach for children and families. Free
Tuesday 12th
- Boats of the Bay children’s trail – Durlston Country Park, 10 am to 4 pm daily until Wednesday 3rd September
Wednesday 13th
- Nothing But A Good Time – The Mowlem 7.30 pm. Rock classic hits
- RNLI Lighthouse Loop – Start at Peveril Point, registration 6 pm, race starts 7 pm. 5k trail run as part of Swanage Lifeboat week
- Zennor Box art exhibition – Fine Foundation Gallery, Durlston Castle. Daily 10.30 am to 4.30 pm until Thursday 28th August
- Wild Wednesdays – Durlston Learning Centre, 11 am to 3 pm. Painting and craft activities for children. Free
Thursday 14th
- The Most Perilous Comedy of Elizabeth I outdoor theatre – National Trust Corfe Castle 7 pm. Performed by theatre company Three Inch Fools
- Purbeck Valley Folk Festival – to Sunday 17th, Harman’s Cross
- Silk Banner painting workshop for children – Sandy Hill Arts, Corfe Castle, 10.30 am to 1 pm
Friday 15th
- Children’s History Walk – Swanage Pier, 11 am
Saturday 16th
- The Zoots – The Mowlem 7.30 pm. 1960s classic hits
- Parkrun – Durlston Country Park, 9 am
- VJ80 Day – Swanage Royal British Legion, 1 pm to 4.30 pm. Refreshments and live music to mark the anniversary of VJ Day
- St Edward’s summer fete – Corfe Castle, 12 noon to 4 pm
Sunday 17th
- Park to Pier guided walk – Durlston Country Park, 10.30 am to 12.30 pm
Monday 18th
- New Jersey Boys tribute act – The Mowlem 7.30 pm
- Summer of Play – Shell Bay, Studland, 10 am to 3 pm. Games on the National Trust beach for children and families. Free
Tuesday 19th
- Children’s History Walk – Swanage Pier, 11 am
- Messy Art family workshop – Sandy Hill Arts, Corfe Castle, 10 am to 12 noon
Shell Beach at Studland has plenty of space for a Summer of Play
Wednesday 20th
- This Carpenters Masquerade tribute act – The Mowlem 7.30 pm
- Wild Wednesdays – Durlston Learning Centre, 11 am to 3 pm. Painting and craft activities for children. Free
Thursday 21st
- Scavenger Hunt Art for children – Durlston Learning Centre, 2 pm to 3 pm. Hunt for natural objects to make into art
- The Merry Wives of Windsor outdoor theatre – National Trust Corfe Castle 7 pm. Performed by theatre company Illyria
Friday 22nd
- Beer Festival – Old Harry Bar, Studland village hall until Monday 25th August, 1 pm to 11 pm daily, except Friday which starts at 3 pm. Beer, pizza and live music
- Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets outdoor cinema – National Trust Corfe Castle, film starts 8.45 pm. Part of Purbeck Film Festival’s Cinema Under the Stars programme
Saturday 23rd
- From Gold To Rio tribute act – The Mowlem 7.30 pm
- Parkrun – Durlston Country Park, 9 am
- Meet a Moth – Durlston Castle, 11 am to 11.30 am. See what is in the moth trap. Free
- Glass Engraving Workshop – Durlston Learning Centre, 11 am to 12.30 pm. South West Guild of Glass Engravers workshop for adults and children aged 8 and over
- Paddington in Peru outdoor cinema – National Trust Corfe Castle, film starts 8.45 pm. Part of Purbeck Film Festival’s Cinema Under the Stars programme
Pop up to Sandy Hill Arts next to Corfe Castle station
Bank Holiday Monday 25th
- Elvis: Memphis To Vegas tribute act – The Mowlem 7.30 pm
- Harman’s Cross Field Day – Harman’s Cross village hall, from 12 noon
- Butterflies, Birds and Bugs Guided Walk – Durlston Castle, 2 pm to 3 pm
- Summer of Play – Shell Bay, Studland, 10 am to 3 pm. Games on the National Trust beach for children and families. Free
Wednesday 27th
- Wild Wednesdays – Durlston Learning Centre, 11 am to 3 pm. Painting and craft activities for children. Free
Thursday 28th
- Dinosaur Discovery – Durlston Learning Centre, 10.30 am to 11.30 am. Games and activities for children
Friday 29th
- Works on Paper pop up exhibition by Zara Saganic – Durlston Castle in the Belvedere, daily 10.30 am to 4.30 pm until Sunday 7th September
- Children’s History Walk – Swanage Pier, 11 am
- Wicked outdoor cinema – Knoll House Hotel, Studland, film starts 8.15 pm. Part of Purbeck Film Festival’s Cinema Under the Stars programme
Saturday 30th
- Singer songwriter Beth Orton and bassist Tom Orton – Sandy Hill Arts, Corfe Castle, 7.30 pm
- Parkrun – Durlston Country Park, 9 am
Swanage Folk Festival is back in full swing for 2025
September 2025
Monday 1st
- Summer of Play – Shell Bay, Studland, 10 am to 3 pm. Games on the National Trust beach for children and families. Free
Wednesday 3rd
- Paddle Steamer Waverley cruises – Selected dates to Tuesday 23rd September, Swanage Pier
Thursday 4th
- Pleasure Grounds Guided Walk – Durlston Castle, 11 am to 12.30 am
- Purbeck International Chamber Music Festival – to Sunday 7th September
Friday 5th
- Swanage Folk Festival – to Sunday 7th
- Classic and Steam Vehicle Show – to Sunday 7th, Harman’s Cross station
- Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy outdoor cinema – The Blue Pool, near Wareham, film starts 8 pm
- Karen Grant sings the songs of Karen Carpenter – The Mowlem Showbar, 7.30 pm
Saturday 6th
- Steampunk Day – Swanage Railway, 9.30 am to 5 pm
- Parkrun – Durlston Country Park, 9 am
- Meet a Moth – Durlston Castle, 11 am to 11.30 am. See what is in the moth trap. Free
- Landing Among the Stars photography exhibition – Fine Foundation Gallery, Durlston Castle, daily 10.30 am to 16.30 am until Thursday 18th September
- Civil War re-enactment weekend – National Trust Corfe Castle, 10 am to 4.30 pm, until Sunday 7th September
Sunday 7th
- The Beast trail race – Corfe Common, registration 9 am, starts 10 am. The 13 mile route is part of the Purbeck Trail Series organised by Poole Athletic Club
Thursday 11th
- Potlicker – The Mowlem, 7.30 pm. Comedy written and directed by Ed Viney for ages 16 and over
Swanage Railway’s Autumn Steam Gala will be an event to look forward to in September
Friday 12th
- Autumn Steam Gala – Swanage Railway until Sunday 14th September
- Sound Cellar and Swanage Jazz Festival present Jo Harrop – The Mowlem Studio, 7.30 pm
Saturday 13th
- Diana Remembered – an evening with Ken Wharfe and Ingrid Seward – The Mowlem, 7.30 pm
- 150th anniversary celebratory open day – Swanage Lifeboat Station, 12 pm to 3 pm
- Parkrun – Durlston Country Park, 9 am
- Clavell Tower open weekend – Kimmeridge 10 am to 4 pm, to Sunday 14th September
Sunday 14th
- Glass Engraving Workshop – Durlston Learning Centre, 11 am to 12.30 pm. South West Guild of Glass Engravers workshop for adults and children aged 8 and over
Wednesday 17th
- The Mowlem Comedy Club – The Mowlem Studio, 7.30 pm
Thursday 18th
- Damien Lewis SAS Escape Stories – The Mowlem 7.30 pm
Friday 19th
- Protecting Our Seas – Emmanuel Baptist Church, 7 pm. Greenpeace marine evening with guest speakers
- Moments in Time magic show – The Mowlem, 7.30 pm
Saturday 20th
- Parkrun – Durlston Country Park, 9 am
- Apple Day – Dorset Cider Farm, near Corfe Castle BH20 5JP
Apples growing in Purbeck
Further information
- More about Swanage Carnival
- What’s on at The Mowlem
- Events at Swanage Railway
- Activities at Durlston Country Park
- Events at Sandy Hill Arts
- National Trust events at Studland, Corfe Castle and Brownsea Island
