If you’re planning on visiting on of the Dorset food festivals then keep your eye on this post throughout the year. Food festivals are a great day out, and a good chance to sample local food and drink.
Who knows what you might sample that you really enjoy. There are some fine Dorset cheeses to be found including the Dorset Blue Vinny, as well as Dorset Gin. There are also plenty of local Dorset craft ales to discover and sample. A food festival in Dorset really is the place to visit.
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Dorchester Beerex
Dates: 6th – 7th February 2026
Located at Dorchester Corn Exchange, your ticket price include a commemorative glass, programme and two halves of beer or cider. The evening sessions also have live music.
Wareham Beerex
Dates: 3rd – 4th April 2026
As well as raising money for local charities, you’ll find over 35 real ales from around the country. There’s also local ciders and local gin as well.
Location: Wareham Masonic Hall, Howards Lane, Wareham, Dorset BH20 4HU
Abbotsbury Food Fair
Date: 3rd – 4th April 2026
In association with Dorset Food & Drink go along to the Abbotsbury Food Fair. Ticket includes entry to the Subtropical Gardens.
Related post – What’s on in Dorset in April
Shaftesbury Feastival
Dates: 2026 TBC
Enjoy the Bank Holiday weekend in Dorset at Shaftesbury Feastival. Stalls will be lined up along the length of town with lots of local food and drink.
There’s also be live cooking demonstrations outside Shaftesbury Town Hall. Don’t forget about the Cheese Races up Gold Hill!
Taste Of West Dorset Market
Date: 2026 TBC
Indulge in the flavours of West Dorset at Mapperton Gardens. The Taste of West Dorset Market offers local flavours and food and drink providers. Support local and visit this tempting event in May.
Christchurch Cheese & Chilli Festival
Dates: 16th – 17th May 2026
Location: Parley Lane, Christchurch, BH23 6AD
The award winning Cheese and Chilli Festival is the only show in the UK which celebrates both Cheese and Chilli within a festival setting. Expect a chilli eating competition, food challenges, cooking demonstrations, family friendly entertainment and plenty more.
Magic Of Thailand Festival
Date: 16th – 17th May 2026
Location: Baiter Park, Poole
You can expect to see live cooking demonstrations, authentic Thai cuisine food stalls, Thai boxing demonstrations, kids rides and plenty more. There’s also the I’m British Get Me Out of Here! eating competition.
Christchurch Food Festival
Dates: 23rd – 25th May 2026
Located on Christchurch Quay, this brilliant setting is the perfect place for a food festival in Dorset. You can expect to find street food and local produce.
Related post – What’s on in Dorset in May
Abbotsbury Swannery Food & Craft Fair
Dates: 23rd – 24th May 2026
Meet the fluffy cygnets plus enjoy a weekend of food and crafts at the Abbotsbury Swannery.
Highcliffe Food and Arts Festival
Dates: 13th – 14th June 2026
You’ll discover local traders with stalls providing both food and arts and crafts. Celebrity and local chefs holding demonstrations of their skills together with music and entertainment for the whole family.
Swanage Fish Festival
Dates: 13th – 14th June 2026
Celebrate all things ‘fishy’ with a new festival that features food, fishing and fun. There will be things for all ages to enjoy and it won’t just be about eating. There will be plenty to join in with as well as to watch.
Bridport Food Festival
Dates: 13th June 2026
Location: Asker Meadow, Bridport, Dorset, DT6 4DL
Taste trails, food, drink, activities for the kids and more. There’s plenty going on at the Bridport food festival.
Related post – What’s on in Dorset in June
Bridport Beer Festival
Dates: 2026 TBC
Friday Night and all day Saturday! Heaps of Beer Bags of Cider Tons of Lager Fountains of Pimms A stage full of bands A field full of food
Dorset Seafood Festival
Dates: 4th – 5th July 2026
Location: Weymouth Peninsula
You may know the festival as Weymouth seafood festival. The Dorset seafood festival has been rebranded to Seafest. Taste fresh seafood from 100 stalls, with plenty of family entertainment on offer throughout. Top chefs are on location showcasing their skills with locally sourced ingredients.
Lyme Regis Sausage & Cider Festival
Dates: 2026 TBC
The annual Lyme Regis football club sausage and cider festival will include more than 20 ciders, sizzling sausages and other refreshments. There will also be a Pimms tent, BBQ, ice creams and a raffle.
Corfe Castle Food & Drink Festival
Dates: 11th – 12th July 2026
Love It Local’s inaugural Food & Drink Festival will be held at Corfe Castle this year. Celebrating the incredible food and drink produce from across the Isle of Purbeck.
Related post – What’s on in Dorset in July
Sandfest
Date: 12th July 2026
Location: Sandbanks Beach, Poole
This boutique beach festival in Dorset returns for its 8th year. The festival attracts around 5,000 people for good music on the beach.
Great Dorset Chilli Festival
Dates: 1st – 2nd August 2026
Location: Stock Gaylard Deer Park, Sturminster Newton
There is so much happening at the Great Dorset Chilli festival. With entertainment including circus workshops, live music and chilli eating competitions. There’s also plenty of bars and refreshments aside from chillis too.
Dorset Food And Arts Festival
Date: 1st August 2026
Location: The Great Field, Poundbury
Pop along to the FREE ‘pop-up’ festival market in Poundbury. There will be local produce and artisan crafts with over 45 stalls.
Dorchester Cider Festival
Dates: 2026 TBC
Related post – What’s on in Dorset in August
Sturminster Newton Cheese Festival
Dates: 2026 TBC
Location: Sturminster Newton (DT10 1DQ)
If you’re a cheese lover the Sturminster Newton cheese festival is not to be missed. There is plenty of children’s entertainment as well as demonstrations, food producers, arts and crafts available.
It’s not just cheese on offer, you can discover local chillies and jams, ciders, coffees and gins to name a few.
Related post – What’s on in Dorset in September
Oktoberfest Shaftesbury
Dates: 2026 TBC
Dig out your lederhosen or dirndl and visit Shaftesbury for their biggest German inspired bier festival of the year!
Related post – What’s on in Dorset in October
Dorset Food & Drink Winter Food Fair
Dates: 2026 TBC
The Dorset Food & Drink Winter Fair is back at Athelhampton House!
Expect a great line up of Dorset food, drink, artists, and makers, to bring you a weekend of festive shopping and gift inspirations.
Visit whether it’s raining or not as most of the stalls are under cover in the event marquee.
Poole Beer Festival
St Aldhelms Centre, Poole Road, Branksome BH12 1AD
Dates: 2026 TBC
The beer festival is open between 11:00 – 15:30 and 18:30 – 23:00 on both days. Tickets are bookable in advance only. This includes a glass, programme & 2 x ½ pints beer.
Allendale Christmas Food Fair
Date: 2026 TBC
Free entry between 10am – 4pm on 7th December for the Allendale Christmas food fair in Wimborne.
Don’t forget to check out the 2026 Festivals and events guide across Dorset too