Family Friendly Events in Dorset September 2026
Posted on
Need ideas for things to do with the family in September? You'll find lots of fun events and shows listed below.
ABBOTSBURY SWANNERY BRAMLEY HEDGE STORY TRAIL
Info: The trail takes visitors around the Swannery grounds, to discover more about the swans and the adventurous mice. Designed for families to enjoy, the trail includes interactive activities, stamp points and questions to answer, all alongside the swans and discovering more about the unique Swannery.
Dates: Saturday 14th March – Saturday 31st October 2026
Address: Abbotsbury Swannery, New Barn Road, Abbotsbury, Dorset, DT3 4JG
Website: Abbotsbury Swannery
THE BLUE POOL TRAIL OF ENCHANTED DOORS
Info: Discover beautifully crafted doors hidden among the trees and meet the fairies and other magical woodland characters who live behind them. Children can enjoy the play area at the end of the trail. Complete your activity sheet and have the special certificate on the back stamped to take home with you.
Dates: Ongoing
Address: The Blue Pool, Furzebrook Road, Wareham, Dorset, BH20 5AR
Website: The Blue Pool
ABBOTSBURY SUBTROPICAL GARDENS TRAIL
Info: Join Lancaster The Explorer on a journey across the world of plants at the Subtropical Gardens. This new children's activity trail highlights and educates children on the world of plants. Find out interesting facts, collect stamps and visit Lancaster's Hut.
Dates: Friday 1st May – Wednesday 30th September 2026
Address: Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens, Bullers Way, Abbotsbury, Weymouth, Dorset, DT3 4LA
Website: Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens
HENGISTBURY HEAD SCAVENGER HUNT
Info: Follow the trail, find the clues, complete the hunt and claim your prize.
Dates: Wednesday 1st July - Wednesday 30th September 2026
Address: Hengistbury Head Visitor Centre, Broadway, Southbourne, Dorset, BH6 4EW
Website: Hengistbury Head Visitor Centre
SANDWORLD LOCAL RESIDENTS OFFER
Dates: Tuesday 1st – Wednesday 30th September 2026
Address: Sandworld, Lodmoor Country Park, Preston Beach Road, Weymouth, Dorset, DT4 7SX
Website: Sandworld
TEQUILA CIRCUS
Dates: Wednesday 9th – Sunday 20th September 2026
Address: Wimborne Showground, Wimborne Road, Wimborne, Dorset, BH21 1EF
Website: Tequila Circus
B-SIDE ARTS FESTIVAL
Info: This year’s festival theme - That Other Place, draws inspiration from the Isle of Portland’s proud oddness, the now-defunct Portland Fair, and local resident David Palmer’s extraordinary Fair archives. In 2026, they’re bringing this to life through artists and communities, bringing back their interpretation of the Fair alongside ambitious, year-long artist projects rooted in the island.
Dates: Thursday 10th – Sunday 13th September 2025
Location: Across Portland
Website: B-Side Festival
WIMBORNE MINSTER TOWN TRAIL
Date: Friday 11th September 2026
Location: Wimborne Minster Town
Facebook: Wimborne Minster Town Council
SWANAGE FOLK FESTIVAL
Info: A weekend of music, dance and fun around the beautiful town of Swanage.
Dates: Friday 11th – Sunday 13th September 2026
Location: Across Swanage
Website: Swanage Folk Festival
HERITAGE OPEN DAYS
Info: Every year in September, Heritage Open Days offers the public the opportunity to visit hundreds of attractions, castles, churches, theatres, town halls, museums, and more for FREE!
Dates: Friday 11th - Sunday 20th September 2026
Locations: Across Dorset
Dorsetmums Blog: Heritage Open Days in Dorset
THE BOURNEMOUTH DAY NURSERY FUN OPEN DAY
Date: Saturday 12th September 2026
Address: The Bournemouth Day Nursery, 75 Lansdown Road, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH1 1RW
Website: The Bournemouth Day Nursery
STURTS FARM FAMILY FUN DAY
Date: Saturday 12th September 2026
Address: Sturts Farm, Three Cross Road, Ferndown, Dorset, BH22 0NF
Website: Gullivers Farm
WELDMAR’S SUMMER FETE
Info: Set in the beautiful grounds of our hospice this much-loved annual event brings together local talent, family-friendly entertainment, and a whole host of activities for all ages, from live music and dancing to food stalls, games, crafts, and animal encounters, there’s something for everyone to enjoy!
Date: Saturday 12th September 2026
Address: Weldmar Hospicecare Inpatient Unit, Herringston Road, Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 2SL
Website: Weldmar Hospicecare
SEAFOOD & SOUNDS
Dates: Saturday 12th & Sunday 13th September 2026
Location: Poole Quay
Website: Seafood and Sounds
STURMINSTER NEWTON CHEESE FESTIVAL
Info: If you love cheese then this one is for you! Meet local producers, browse food and craft stalls, children’s activities and live music.
Dates: Saturday 12th & Sunday 13th September 2026
Address: Recreation Ground, Sturminster Newton, Dorset, DT10 1BY
Website: Cheese Festival
CORFE CASTLE MEDIEVAL LIVING HISTORY WEEKEND
Info: Step inside medieval life at Corfe Castle with hands-on crafts, castle characters, and the sights, sounds and skills of the past.
Dates: Saturday 12th & Sunday 13th September 2026
Address: Corfe Castle, The Square, Corfe Castle, Dorset
Website: National Trust Corfe Castle
WESSEX HEAVY HORSE SHOW & COUNTRY FAIR
Date: Sunday 13th September 2026
Address: Turnpike Showground, Shaftesbury, Dorset, SP7 9PL
Website: Wessex Heavy Horse Society
THE HORNS INN DOG SHOW & FAMILY FUN DAY
Date: Sunday 13th September 2026
Address: The Horns Inn, Burt's Hill, Wimborne, Dorset, BH21 7AA
Facebook: Horns Inn Wimborne
RINGWOOD FUN FAIR
Dates: Thursday 17th - Saturday 19th September 2026
Address: Bickerley Green, Bickerley Road, Ringwood, BH24 1EF
Website: Ringwood Carnival
WIMBORNE FOOD FESTIVAL
Date: Saturday 19th September 2026
Location: Willow Walk & Minster Green, Wimborne Minster, Dorset
Website: Wimborne Food Festival
DISCOVERY FEST
Date: Saturday 19th September 2026
Address: Shore Road, Swanage, Dorset
Website: Planet Purbeck
RINGWOOD CARNIVAL
Info: Ringwood Carnival consists of two colourful processions (2pm & 7.15pm) featuring community floats, marching bands, majorettes, carnival royalty, steam engines and classic cars.
Date: Saturday 19th September 2026
Location: Ringwood Town
Website: Ringwood Carnival
CORFE CASTLE FOLKLORE & FAIRIES FAMILY QUEST
Info: Step back into a time where everyday life was filled with folklore, mystery, and superstition, where every home had its own secrets. On this family quest, uncover strange beliefs about cooking, protecting homes, and keeping away witches and fairies.
Dates: Saturday 19th – Sunday 22nd November September 2026
Address: Corfe Castle, The Square, Corfe Castle, Dorset
Website: National Trust Corfe Castle
DUSK TIL DARK
Info: Dusk Til Dark transforms the town into a series of static sound and light installations, inviting you to discover each one in your own time.
Dates: Thursday 24th - Saturday 26th September 2026
Location: Across Weymouth Town
Website: We Are Weymouth
ARTS BY THE SEA FESTIVAL
Info: Enjoy an exceptional weekend of art, culture, and people. This year’s theme, ELEMENTAL, celebrates the powerful energies that connect us to each other and to the world around us. From the crackle of ideas that light up our imaginations to the steady rhythms that keep us grounded, these forces remind us of all that creativity is. Join in to celebrate creativity as a catalyst for positive change, encouraging collective action, sustainable thinking and a deeper connection to the world we share, starting in Bournemouth Gardens.
Dates: Friday 25th & Saturday 26th September 2026
Location: Across Bournemouth Town
Website: Arts by the Sea Festival
MAD4ANIMALS LIVE SHOW
Info: Meet up to 20 incredible animal species. Get closer to giant snakes, reptiles and some seriously unusual animals. Meet birds, mammals, amphibians and creepy crawlies, take photos, enjoy hands-on encounters and chat to the Mad4Animals team.
Date: Saturday 26th September 2026
Address: Upton Country Park, Poole Road, Upton, Poole, Dorset, BH17 7BJ
Website: Mad4Animals
MAPPERTON LIVING HISTORY WEEKEND
Info: History comes to life at Mapperton. Wander through a period camp, watch cooking and sewing demonstrations, see musket demonstrations and pike drills on the Croquet Lawn and witness the day's battle unfold across the grounds. With a full parade, drums sounding all day and period games for younger visitors there is something for everyone, whatever your age.
Dates: Saturday 26th & Sunday 27th September 2026
Address: Mapperton, Beaminster, Dorset, DT8 3NR
Website: Mapperton
CORFE CASTLE THE TIME TRAVELLERS KITCHEN
Info: Experience the sights, smells and flavours of the Middle Ages as The Time Travellers Kitchen arrives at Corfe Castle for a special weekend of live cooking demonstrations.
Dates: Saturday 26th & Sunday 27th September 2026
Address: Corfe Castle, The Square, Corfe Castle, Dorset
Website: National Trust Corfe Castle
Please always check an event is running before travelling as cancellations can occur. If you know of any more family friendly events in September then please do Contact Us.
Need more ideas for the things to do with the family?
Dorset Attractions & Places to Visit
Soft Plays & Play Cafes
Car Boot Sales
Popular Blog Posts:
Free & Low Cost places to go in Dorset with Kids
Where to see Planes, Trains and Automobiles
Walking the Lawrence of Arabia Trail
The Blue Pool
Tout Quarry Sculpture Park in Portland
Exploring Badbury Rings Iron Age Hillfort
Durlston Country Park to Swanage Town Circular Walk
The Great Field Play Park at Poundbury
Charmouth Heritage Coast Centre & Beach
