It’s been a sizzling start to the summer in Swanage, Dorset, with three heatwaves so far, encouraging many to head to the beach and a dip in the sea, but there’s plenty of events happening in the town and across Purbeck over the school holidays.
The big festival of the summer is the Swanage Carnival which takes place over eight days from Saturday 25th July until Saturday 1st August 2026 with Team Raven, a formation aerobatic display team, flying in as one of the top attractions, along with the carnival procession and of course, the wheelbarrow race.
Take a chance on The Mowlem to entertain over the summer
Summer of music
There’s the Summer of Music, a series of top tribute acts performing live at The Mowlem, plus events at Swanage Railway, Durlston Country Park, and Swanage Pier.
Further afield the National Trust is putting on a number of activities at Studland and Corfe Castle, while Wareham Wednesdays are back with fireworks and entertainment on Wareham Quay.
Dorset Adventure Park at Corfe Castle is operating throughout the summer with its waterpark and mud trail plus special Colour Trail and SEN sessions.
And there’s always Swanage Beach for entertainment and Punch and Judy of course!
Swanage Carnival is the town’s top summer event
July
Saturday 18th
- The Wild Swimming Festival in Swanage – Prince Albert Gardens and in the bay until Sunday 19th
- Glass engraving workshop – 11 am to 12.30 pm at the Learning Centre at Durlston Country Park
- Tony Christie: The Farewell Tour – 7.30 pm at The Mowlem
- Chef Richard Bertinet cooking demo – 12 noon to 3 pm at The Scott Arms, Kingston
Sunday 19th
- Wareham Carnival procession – From 1 pm through Wareham’s town centre
- Romeo and Juliet performed by theatre company Oddsocks – Doors open 6 pm with performance at 7 pm at Holme for Gardens, near Wareham
- Summer Meadows Flower Walk – Meet 2.30 pm at Durlston Castle reception
Tuesday 21st
- Colour and Coast exhibition by landscape painter Shelley Perry – Daily 10.30 am to 4.30 pm until Tuesday 4th August at The Fine Foundation Gallery, Durlston Country Park
Thursday 23rd
- Tales from the Trees – Family show by Squashbox Theatre from 2.30 pm followed by puppet-making workshop at Sandy Hill Arts, Corfe Castle
There’s always time for a round of Jurassic golf
Friday 24th
- Break The Rules: Status Quo Tribute – 7.30 pm at The Mowlem
- West End to Hollywood by Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra ensemble – Doors open 6.30 pm with show start at 7.30 pm at National Trust Corfe Castle
Saturday 25th
- Swanage Carnival – Until Saturday 1st August
- The Pickwick Papers performed by theatre company Rain or Shine – Doors open 6.30 pm with performance at 7.30 pm at Holme for Gardens, near Wareham
- Smash Hits 80s by Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra ensemble – Doors open 6.30 pm with show start at 7.30 pm at National Trust Corfe Castle
- Swanage Painting Club summer art exhibition – Until Sunday 2nd August at Catholic church hall, Rempstone Road, Swanage
- Art workshop with Madeleine Devenay – Learn to paint in watercolour 11 am to 1 pm at Learning Centre, Durlston Country Park
- Ceramic, oil and acrylic exhibition by Jan Dagley – 10 am to 4 pm until Saturday 1st August at Sandy Hill Arts
- Jellyfish Glass Fusion Workshop with Jenny Green – 10 am to 1 pm at Sandy Hill Arts, Corfe Castle
Sunday 26th
- Curious Creatures and Adventurous Animals by Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra ensemble – Doors open 4 pm with concert starting 5 pm at National Trust Corfe Castle
- Fairy Day – Storytelling, workshops and face painting at The Blue Pool near Wareham
- Colour and Coast Minis with Shelley Perry – Painting drop in sessions for families 10.30 am to 4.30 pm at Fine Foundation Gallery, Durlston Country Park
- Marvellous Moths summer workshop – Opening an overnight moth trap with Martin Warren 9.30 am to 11 am at Sandy Hill Arts, Corfe Castle
Thursday 30th
- Camp Bestival – Family-friendly music festival until Sunday 2nd August at Lulworth Castle
- Hand Painting Landscapes workshop with Shelley Perry – 11 am to 1 pm at the Fine Foundation Gallery, Durlston Country Park
Wareham Wednesdays at the Quay are always popular
August
Saturday 1st
- Meet a Moth! – Open up the overnight moth trap 11 am to 11.30 am at Durlston Castle reception
- Three Parishes Fete at Church Knowle – Traditional village fete in the grounds of The Old Rectory from 2 pm
Sunday 2nd
- Colour Trail – Sessions from 10 am with final session from 2 pm on the mud trail with an added splash of colour at Dorset Adventure Park, Corfe Castle
Wednesday 5th
- Wareham Wednesday Party Night – From 7 pm on Wareham Quay with Dorchester and Bridport Rock Choir, followed by The Big Nite Out live band, plus fireworks at 10 pm
Thursday 6th
- Swanage and Purbeck Rotary Summer Fete – 10 am to 5 pm at Sandpit Field in Swanage
- Castle Tour – An hour’s guided tour of Durlston Castle 11 am to 12 noon
- Pinocchio by outdoor theatre company Illyria – Family outdoor show, gates open 6 pm for performance at 7 pm at National Trust Corfe Castle
Swanage and Purbeck Rotary is hoping the weather stays dry for its fete
Friday 7th
- Interaction of Light exhibition by artist Cathy Veale – Daily 10.30 am to 4.30 pm until 23rd August at The Fine Foundation Gallery, Durlston Country Park
- August Flowers Walk – Meet 2.30 pm at Durlston Castle reception
Saturday 8th
- Swanage Lifeboat Week – until Saturday 15th
- This Is Floyd – Tribute act 7.30 pm at The Mowlem
- Colourful Beach Huts Glass Fusion Workshop with Jenny Green – 10 am to 1 pm at Sandy Hill Arts, Corfe Castle
- Moment’s Notice live music – 7.30 pm to 10 pm at Sandy Hill Arts, Corfe Castle
- The Isle of Purbeck Model Railway Exhibition – Until Sunday 9th August at Harman’s Cross village hall
- St George’s church fete – 2 pm to 5 pm in Langton Matravers
Sunday 9th
- Marvellous Moths summer workshop – Opening an overnight moth trap with Martin Warren 9.30 am to 11 am at Sandy Hill Arts, Corfe Castle
- Horrible Histories Day – Illustrator of Horrible Histories and writer Martin Brown gives a talk at 11 am and a workshop at 2 pm at Sandy Hill Arts in conjunction with Corfe Castle library
- Country Fayre and Dog Show – From 11 am at Margaret Green Animal Rescue Centre, Church Knowle
- A Midsummer Night’s Dream performed by theatre company Folksy Theatre – Doors open 6 pm with performance at 7 pm at Holme for Gardens, near Wareham
Monday 10th
- The Pickwick Papers performed by theatre company Rain or Shine – Open air theatre, 7 pm at Prince Albert Gardens, as part of Swanage Lifeboat Week
- Heard it Through the Grapevine – Tribute act 7.30 pm at The Mowlem
- Make a Jurassic Monster Mask – Drop-in between 11 am and 2 pm at the Belvedere, Durlston Castle
Wednesday 12th
- RNLI Lighthouse Loop Trail Run – 5k run, registration at 6 pm with race start at 7 pm from Swanage Lifeboat Station as part of Swanage Lifeboat Week
- Tom Petty and Fleetwood Mac Legacy Show – Tribute act 7.30 pm at The Mowlem
- Wareham Wednesday Retro Nostalgia Night – From 7 pm on Wareham Quay with the Tug of War followed by live bands Deadwood and Whisky and That Britpop Band, plus fireworks at 10 pm
- SEN waterpark session – From 5 pm at Dorset Adventure Park, Corfe Castle
It wouldn’t be summer in Swanage without ice cream!
Thursday 13th
- Bugs and Butterflies Guided Walk – Meet 2.30 pm at Durlston Castle reception
- The Tale of Peter Rabbit and Benjamin Bunny by Quantum Theatre – Gates open 6 pm with outdoor performance starting 7 pm at National Trust Corfe Castle
Saturday 15th
- Good Times: A Tribute to Nile Rodgers and Chic – 7.30 pm at The Mowlem
- Jazzknots gig – Funk and soul band from Swanage, 7 pm to 9 pm at Sandy Hill Arts
- St Edward’s church fete – 12 noon to 4 pm at Corfe Castle
- The Blues Brothers (15) – Purbeck Film Festival outdoor screening at Langham Wine Estate near Puddletown
Sunday 16th
- Glass engraving workshop – 11 am to 12.30 pm at the Learning Centre at Durlston Country Park
- Folk Funk Fusion Youth Music Project – Workshop for young musicians aged from 7 to 18, 10 am to 5 pm at Sandy Hill Arts, Corfe Castle
Monday 17th
- Sounds of the 60’s with The Zoots – 7.30 pm at The Mowlem
Wednesday 19th
- Alter Eagles – Tribute act 7.30 pm at The Mowlem
- Wareham Wednesday Pirate Invasion – From 7 pm on Wareham Quay with a tussle between the pirates and the King’s men followed by Flash, a Queen tribute band and fireworks at 10 pm
Thursday 20th
- Bug Hunts and Hotels – Family event to hunt for Durlston’s minibeasts, meet 10.30 am at the Learning Centre, Durlston Country Park
- Purbeck Valley Folk Festival at Harman’s Cross – until Sunday 23rd
- Shakespeare’s As You Like It by outdoor theatre company Illyria – Gates open 6 pm for performance at 7pm at National Trust Corfe Castle
- King Arthur and the Holy Fail by theatre company The Three Inch Fools – From 5 pm with outdoor performance starting at 6.30 pm at Kimmeridge Bay as part of the Artsreach programme
Always good to catch the Purbeck Arts Club summer exhibition
Friday 21st
- The Magic Faraway Tree (U) – Purbeck Film Festival outdoor screening at Careys Secret Garden, Wareham
Saturday 22nd
- Oasiz – Tribute act 7.30 pm at The Mowlem
- Purbeck Arts Club Exhibition – Until Monday 31st August at Catholic church hall, Rempstone Road, Swanage
- Meet a Moth! – Open up the overnight moth trap 11 am to 11.30 am at Durlston Castle reception
- Art workshop with Madeleine Devenay – Learn to draw and sketch in pen and pencil 11 am to 1 pm at Learning Centre, Durlston Country Park
- Summer Garden Glass Fusion Workshop with Jenny Green – 10 am to 1 pm at Sandy Hill Arts, Corfe Castle
- Jaws (12A) – Purbeck Film Festival outdoor screening at Knoll House Hotel, Studland
- Family Fun Day – Swanage and Wareham Rugby Football Club, Bestwell Road, Wareham from 12 noon
Sunday 23rd
- Colour Trail – Sessions from 10 am with final session from 2 pm on the mud trail with an added splash of colour at Dorset Adventure Park, Corfe Castle
Monday 24th
- Take A Chance On Us – Tribute act 7.30 pm at The Mowlem
Wednesday 26th
- The Upbeat Beatles – Tribute act 7.30 pm at The Mowlem
- Spirit of Fancy Exhibition by artists from East Dorset – Daily 10.30 am to 4.30 pm until 17th September at The Fine Foundation Gallery, Durlston Country Park
- Wareham Wednesday Wild West Night – From 7 pm on Wareham Quay with a raft race followed by live music from Hannah Trim and the Honky-Tonk Highway, with fireworks at 10 pm
Lots of events for children and adults at Durlston Country Park over the summer
Thursday 27th
- Ulwell Summer Fete – 12 noon to 7 pm at Ulwell Holiday Park, Swanage – all welcome
- Dinosaur Discovery family event – Find out more about Durlston’s prehistoric past through games and activities, meet 10.30 am at the Learning Centre, Durlston Country Park
Friday 28th
- Paddington 2 (PG) – Purbeck Film Festival outdoor screening at National Trust Corfe Castle
- Old Harry Bar annual beer festival – Until 31st August at Studland village hall with live music and a selection of real ales and ciders
Saturday 29th
- Elvis: From Memphis to Vegas – Tribute act 7.30 pm at The Mowlem
- Wicked: For Good (PG) – Purbeck Film Festival outdoor screening at National Trust Corfe Castle
Sunday 30th
- Park to Pier Guided Walk – Meet at 10.30 for a guided walk from Durlston Castle to Swanage Pier
- Marvellous Moths summer workshop – Opening an overnight moth trap with Martin Warren 9.30 am to 11 am at Sandy Hill Arts, Corfe Castle
Monday 31st Bank Holiday
- Harman’s Cross fete – From 12 noon at the Harman’s Cross village hall
The historic paddle steamer The Waverley docks at Swanage Pier
September
Thursday 3rd
- Pleasure Grounds Guided Walk – Meet at 11 am at Durston Castle reception for a walk exploring the history of the Durlston Pleasure Grounds and its restoration
- Purbeck International Chamber Music Festival – Until Sunday 6th
Friday 4th
- Paddle steamer Waverley day trips – Calling in to Swanage Pier on various dates until Sunday 20th September
- Labyrinth (PG) – Purbeck Film Festival outdoor screening at The Blue Pool, near Wareham
Saturday 5th
- Dorset Bird Fest – Guided walks, talks, and stalls at RSPB Arne until Sunday 6th September
- The Devil Wears Prada 2 (12A) – Purbeck Film Festival outdoor screening at The Blue Pool, near Wareham
- Poetry Weekend – Poetry readings and workshops at Sandy Hill Arts, Corfe Castle, until Sunday 6th
Sunday 6th
- September Stroll – Meet 2.30 pm at Durlston Castle reception
- The Beast – Purbeck Trail Race, registration from 9 am with race start at 10 am from Corfe Common, West Street, Corfe Castle
Swanage Folk Festival is one of the biggest events of its type in the UK
Friday 11th
- Swanage Folk Festival – Until Sunday 13th
- Swanage Railway Autumn Steam Gala – Until Sunday 13th
- Classic and Steam Vehicle Show – 10 am to 4 pm at new location of Norden, near to the Swanage Railway line and Purbeck Park
- Absolute Beginners Birds – Meet at Durlston Castle reception for entry-level introduction to birdwatching 10.30 am to 12 noon around Durlston Country Park
Saturday 12th
- Apple Day – Bring your apples to be pressed and sample the cider at Purbeck Cider Farm near Corfe Castle
- Clavell Tower heritage open days – 10 am to 4 pm until Sunday 13th September at Kimmeridge
- Wood Engraving Workshop by Robin Mackenzie – 10.30 to 4 pm at the Learning Centre, Durlston Country Park
Sunday 13th
- Park to Pier Guided Walk – Meet at 10.30 for a guided walk from Durlston Castle to Swanage Pier
- Life in Studland in World War Two heritage open day walk – National Trust self-guided walks 10 am to 4 pm, with guided walk 10.30 am to 12.30 pm starting at Middle Beach car park, Studland
