Dorset has a number of fantastic theatres and venues in Dorset and through the year you can expect to find a whole host of family shows which include our children’s favourite characters, dinosaurs, science, bubbles, pirates and princesses, and much more!

To see what’s on near you, please see our list below.

   

• APRIL • 

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST

Info: When the wicked enchantress Elora transforms the handsome Prince into a monstrous Beast, Fairy Flambe` casts a spell of her own: if Beast can find true love before the last petal of the rose falls, the curse will end and the Prince will be restored.  However, when spirited villager Belle, a bibliophile who dreams of adventure, chooses to take her fathers place as the Beast's prisoner, the first meeting is anything but enchanting.  Will the Beast be able to find true love before the last petal falls, or will our fabulously evil villain Elora finally take over the kingdom?  Find out in this action-packed Pantomime with something for all the family!

Date: Friday 25th – Sunday 27th April 2025
Address: The Factory Space, 1172-1180 Christchurch Road, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH7 6DY
Booking: The Factory Space

• MAY •

MILKSHAKE! LIVE

Date: Sunday 4th May 2025
Address: Weymouth Pavilion, Esplanade, Weymouth, Dorset, DT4 8ED
Booking: Weymouth Pavilion

 

PIG HEART BOY

Date: Wednesday 7th – Saturday 10th May 2025
Address: Lighthouse Poole, 21 Kingland Road, Poole, Dorset, BH15 1UG
Booking: Lighthouse Poole

 

 

THE WIGGLES: BOUNCING BALLS TOUR

Info: Experience the magic of this interactive and engaging live show experience set to spark creativity, curiosity and a love of learning through The Wiggles signature mix of entertainment and education.  Get ready to sing, dance and wiggle in this high energy musical extravaganza featuring all 8 Wiggles including OG Blue Wiggle Anthony, Simon, Lachy, Tsehay, John, Lucia, Caterina and Evie.  Plus all the Wiggly friends including Dorothy the Dinosaur, Wags the Dog, Henry the Octopus, Captain Feathersword and TikTok sensation The Tree of Wisdom!

Date: Saturday 10th May 2025
Address: Bournemouth Pavilion, Westover Road, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH1 2BU
Booking: Bournemouth Pavilion

 

SHLOMO’S BEATBOX ADVENTURE FOR KIDS

Info: SK Shlomo makes amazing music with just a mouth and a mic, and has performed around the world.  Anybody can become one of this sonic superhero’s sidekicks in a world of funny sounds, brilliant noises, and cool music, whether they’re aged 1 or 101.

Date: Saturday 24th May 2025
Address: Lighthouse Poole, 21 Kingland Road, Poole, Dorset, BH15 1UG
Booking: Lighthouse Poole

 

CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY

Info: When Charlie Bucket finds one of the five golden tickets to the Wonka Chocolate Factory, he and the other winners can’t wait to feast on the sweets of their dreams.  But, beyond the gates they discover more than just remarkable edible delights.  As they embark on an extraordinary journey through Willy Wonka’s marvellous mind, they soon learn that nobody leaves the same way that they arrived!  This is an amateur production presented by Bournemouth and Boscombe Light Opera Company.

Date: Wednesday 28th – Saturday 31st May 2025
Address: Bournemouth Pavilion, Westover Road, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH1 2BU
Booking: Bournemouth Pavilion

 

OLIVER!

Date: Wednesday 28th – Saturday 31st May 2025
Address: Weymouth Pavilion, Esplanade, Weymouth, Dorset, DT4 8ED
Booking: Weymouth Pavilion

 

• JUNE •

PIRATES LOVE UNDERPANTS

Info: Join the swashbuckling party of pirates on their quest to find the fabled Pants of Gold for the Captain’s Treasure chest!  Dodge hungry crocs beneath Long-John Bridge, bob upon the waves of Big Knickers Bay, spot sharks in fancy underpants and trek across Three Pants Ridge.  Filled with music, puppetry and glittering pants of gold, get ready to set sail for a family adventure!

Date: Thursday 12th June 2025
Address: Lighthouse Poole, 21 Kingland Road, Poole, Dorset, BH15 1UG
Booking: Lighthouse Poole

 

• AUGUST •

DINO TALES: JURASSIC RESCUE

Info: Flapping frills and dino thrills await as you set off on the ultimate wild rescue mission with state-of-the-art walking dinosaurs, some of which have never been seen on a stage before.  You’ll encounter Freya the dancing Raptor, Dylan the Dilophosaurus, Angie the Ankylosaurus, Scar the Spinosaurus and Bruce the mighty T-Rex!

Date: Friday 8th August 2025
Address: Bournemouth Pavilion, Westover Road, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH1 2BU
Booking: Bournemouth Pavilion

 

DINOSAUR WORLD LIVE

Date: Friday 29th – Sunday 31st August 2025
Address: Lighthouse Poole, 21 Kingland Road, Poole, Dorset, BH15 1UG
Booking: Lighthouse Poole

 

 

NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM PRESENTS DINOSAURS LIVE!

Date: Sunday 31st August 2025
Address: Weymouth Pavilion, Esplanade, Weymouth, Dorset, DT4 8ED
Booking: Weymouth Pavilion

 

• DECEMBER • 

CINDERELLA PANTOMIME

Info: You shall go to the ball!  Get ready for our brand new panto at the Bournemouth Pavilion, Cinderella!  Noel Brodie will return for his 11th year in panto as Buttons.

Dates: Saturday 6th December 2025 – Sunday 4th January 2026
Address: Bournemouth Pavilion, Westover Road, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH1 2BU
Booking: Bournemouth Pavilion

 

DICK WHITTINGTON PANTOMIME

Info: Once again CBeebies’ favourite Chris Jarvis is back to write and direct a joyfully funny script that tells this magical rags to riches tale.  This year’s show will be brimming with dazzling costumes, stunning scenery and a dose of feline flavour.

Date: Thursday 11th December 2025 – Sunday 4th January 2026
Address: Lighthouse Poole, 21 Kingland Road, Poole, Dorset, BH15 1UG
Booking: Lighthouse Poole

 

GOLDILOCKS AND THE THREE BEARS

Info: Goldilocks and the Three Bears takes centre stage in this all-new, action-packed panto production, where the classic tale is brought to life with a twist of circus magic!  Follow the curious and adventurous Goldilocks as she stumbles upon the cozy home of The Three Bears – but that’s just the beginning… Enter the dazzling world of Dame Betty Barnum, the ringmaster extraordinaire, Joey the Clown and a whole host of hilarious characters who will have you rolling in the aisles and shouting for more!

Dates: Saturday 13th December 2025 – Sunday 4th January 2026
Address: The Tivoli Theatre, 19 West Borough, Wimborne, Dorset, BH21 1LT
Booking: The Tivoli Theatre

 

ELF: THE MUSICAL

Info: This larger-than-life production brings the festive magic to the arena with unforgettable scenes, including Santa’s flying sleigh, an interactive snowball fight with the audience, and a giant candy cane journey from the North Pole, all set against breath-taking video-film backdrops on a massive LED screen.

Dates: Friday 19th & Saturday 20th December 2025
Address: Bournemouth International Centre, Exeter Road, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH2 5BH
Booking: Bournemouth International Centre

 

Please check back for more shows being added through the year.  If you know of a great show we’ve missed then please do Contact Us.

 

Need more ideas for things to do in Dorset with the kids?

Attractions & Places to go

Soft Plays & Play Cafes

Car Boot Sales

Where to see Planes, Trains and Automobiles

Free or low cost things to do in Dorset with kids

Crazy Golf Courses in Dorset

Pubs with Play Parks

Dorsetmums has made every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this site and does not accept liability for any errors or omission.  Please also note that an event or venue may cancel or close at any time and you should consider contacting beforehand to check an event is running.