Events in Purbeck (August & September)

What’s On in Purbeck: August & September 2026

From festivals and live music to fireworks, family days, steam trains and traditional village fêtes, August and September are packed with things to see and do. Here are some of the highlights taking place across Swanage, Wareham, Corfe Castle and the surrounding Purbeck area.

Saturday 1 August
Church Knowle Three Parishes Fete | 2pm–5pm
A traditional village fête held in the grounds of The Old Rectory at Church Knowle. Expect a relaxed afternoon of stalls, activities and traditional family entertainment. More info

Saturday 1 August
Final Day of Swanage Carnival
The final day of Swanage Carnival week, one of the biggest events in the town’s summer calendar. Carnival week runs from Saturday 25 July into the beginning of August, with entertainment and activities around Swanage.

Sunday 2 August
Colour Trail, Dorset Adventure Park, Corfe Castle
Get colourful – and muddy – at Dorset Adventure Park’s Colour Trail. Tackle balance beams, tunnels, slides and other obstacles while being showered in colour along the way. A second Colour Trail takes place on Sunday 23 August.
More info

Wednesday 5 August – Party Night, Wareham Quay | 6.30pm–10.15pm
The first of Wareham’s popular Wednesday summer evenings. Party Night features live entertainment, children’s activities, food and drink, a pop-up car show and live music from The Big Nite Out, finishing with a firework display over the Quay at 10pm.
More info

Thursday 6 August
Swanage & Purbeck Rotary Summer Fete, Sandpit Field, Swanage | 10am–5pm
A traditional summer fête overlooking Swanage Bay, with stalls, live music, food and drink, games, children’s activities and entertainment throughout the day.

Thursday 6 August – Pinocchio Outdoor Theatre, Corfe Castle | 7pm
Illyria brings its outdoor production of Pinocchio to the spectacular setting of Corfe Castle. Bring a picnic and enjoy family theatre surrounded by one of Purbeck’s most iconic landmarks.
More info

Saturday 8 to Saturday 15 August
Swanage Lifeboat Week
One of Swanage’s favourite summer traditions returns with a week of events and entertainment raising funds and awareness for the RNLI. Activities take place around the seafront, beach and Prince Albert Gardens, with the week culminating in the popular raft race and BBQ.

Saturday 8 to Sunday 9 August
Isle of Purbeck Model Railway Exhibition, Harman’s Cross Village Hall
A weekend exhibition for model railway enthusiasts and families at Harman’s Cross Village Hall.

Saturday 8 August
St George’s Church Fete, Langton Matravers | 2pm–5pm
A traditional village fête at St George’s Church in Langton Matravers.

Sunday 9 August
Country Fayre & Dog Show, Church Knowle | 11am–4pm
Margaret Green Animal Rescue hosts its Country Fayre and Dog Show at Church Knowle – a great family day out for dog lovers.
More info

Wednesday 12 August
Retro Nostalgia & Tug of War, Wareham Quay | 6.30pm–10.15pm
Step back in time for an evening of retro entertainment, including the annual Tug of War competition, children’s entertainment and live music from That Britpop Band. The evening finishes with fireworks at 10pm.
More info

Wednesday 19 August
Pirate Invasion, Wareham Quay | 6.30pm–10.15pm
Pirates return to invade Wareham Quay! Expect pirate fancy dress, the Muddlecombe Men, Wimborne Militia, children’s entertainment and live music from Queen tribute band Flash, followed by fireworks at 10pm.
More info

Thursday 20 to Sunday 23 August
Purbeck Valley Folk Festival, near Corfe Castle
One of Purbeck’s major summer festivals returns for four days of folk, roots and world music.

Set on a farm with views towards Corfe Castle, the festival features five stages, established and emerging musicians, workshops, poetry, crafts and a huge range of children’s activities. Camping is available, making it a full weekend in the heart of Purbeck.
More info

Sunday 23 August
Colour Trail, Dorset Adventure Park, Corfe Castle
The second August Colour Trail offers another chance to tackle Dorset Adventure Park’s muddy obstacle course with an added explosion of colour.
More info

Wednesday 26 August
Wild West & Raft Race, Wareham Quay | 6.30pm–10.15pm
The final Wareham Wednesday of summer goes Wild West. Highlights include Punch & Judy, the popular raft race, acoustic country music and Honky-Tonk Highway, before the summer series signs off with fireworks at 10pm.
More info

Monday 31 August
Harman’s Cross Annual Fete & Show
Round off the Bank Holiday weekend with a traditional village fête and show at Harman’s Cross.

Friday 11 to Sunday 13 September
Swanage Folk Festival
Three days of folk music, dancing and entertainment take over Swanage.
The festival features live music, Morris dancing, workshops, street performances, children’s activities, sessions and a ceilidh, with a mixture of free daytime entertainment and ticketed concerts.
More info

Friday 11 to Sunday 13 September
Swanage Railway Autumn Steam Gala
Steam enthusiasts won’t want to miss Swanage Railway’s Autumn Steam Gala. The three-day event runs along the heritage railway through Purbeck, including Corfe Castle station, and is traditionally one of the railway’s biggest events of the year.
More info

Tuesday 15 to Wednesday 16 September – Heritage Open Days at Lulworth Castle
Explore Lulworth Castle and Park as part of the national Heritage Open Days programme. Discover the history of the 17th-century castle, visit St Mary’s Chapel, climb the tower and explore the grounds.
More info

More to Explore in Purbeck
As well as these headline events, you’ll find markets, live music, exhibitions, walks and smaller community events taking place throughout Swanage, Wareham, Corfe Castle and the surrounding villages.