🗓️ Friday 31st October 2026 Come down to The Focus Centre in Swanage today for an afternoon of free Halloween fun. Come in spooky fancy dress and enjoy:
Events that are FREE to attend
Find free events for the whole family in and around Swanage.
From art exhibitions & craft workshops to live music in the pubs, there’s plenty to do in Swanage without spending a penny, including many of the town’s biggest events such as Carnival Week and various festivals.
🗓️ Saturday 14th November 2026 Browse locally-made crafts and home produce at Langton Matravers’ annual Christmas Craft Fair. Find a range of unique and handmade Christmas gifts, produce, arts & crafts. Festive refreshments and mince pies will be available.
🗓️ Thursday 19th November 2026 Join local charity Lewis-Manning Hospice Care at its annual festival of light in Swanage. This year the community event is returning to Swanage Bandstand. It’s a chance to take part in a unique shared community experience and a time to remember and celebrate the lives of friends and family who have […]
🗓️ Saturday 28th November 2026 Get the date in your diary for this year’s Christmas lights switch-on in Swanage. Grab a mulled wine, join in with some festive songs and get ready for the countdown before the town sparkles with the magic of Christmas once more. There’ll be live entertainment, a formal countdown, and as always […]
🗓️ Saturday 28th November 2026 Harman’s Cross Village Hall’s regular Stalls at the Hall is a great way to spend a couple of hours browsing local craft stalls and enjoy a delicious homemade cake from the kitchen. You’ll find a range of local makers selling arts & crafts, bakes & preserves, seasonal produce and more. […]
🗓️ Saturday 5th December 2026 Swanage Christmas Market returns for another year, with over 60 festive stalls along Station Road and Institute Road. Come and meet local makers and producers and get a head-start on your Christmas shopping. Younger children can enjoy merry-go-round rides and visit Father Christmas in his grotto, and grown-ups can warm their […]
🗓️ Wednesday 9th December 2026 Join Swanage Town Band in a musical celebration of Christmas at its annual Carols on the Bandstand concert. Wrap up warm, bring a torch and join in the singing at Swanage’s historic bandstand for a traditional festive evening. Song sheets will be provided.
🗓️ Saturday 26th December 2026 The Boxing Day Swim on Swanage Beach is an annual community tradition, which sees hundreds of swimmers head into the chilly December water for a fun, festive dip. Meet at Swanage Information Centre from 10am and, on the town crier’s bell at 11am sharp, it’s time to brave the water […]
🗓️ Saturday 3rd – Sunday 11th April 2027 A brand new photographic event is coming to Purbeck this spring in association with Sandy Hill Arts in Corfe Castle. The inaugural nine-day Purbeck Photography Festival will be a pilot event with a view to becoming a biennial festival. The event will showcase the works of emerging […]
🗓️ Saturday 5th – Sunday 6th June 2027 Save the date for the next Swanage Fish & Food Festival. The weekend of local food, drink and craft returns on to Swanage on Saturday 5th – Sunday 6th June 2027. Enjoy browsing the food stalls and sampling locally-sourced fish, seafood and drink, all overlooking Swanage Bay. Plus, […]
🗓️ Friday 16th – Sunday 18th July 2027 Along with Swanage Carnival, nearby Wareham has its own summer carnival each July, the week before. There’s a street procession, with a different theme each year, along with live music, food and entertainment across the weekend at Wareham Recreation Ground. The theme for 2027 is to be […]
🗓️ Saturday 31st July – Saturday 7th August 2027 Swanage Carnival is one of the main highlights of the year in Swanage and Purbeck, with eight days of entertainment taking over the town in one of Dorset’s most popular family-friendly festivals. Save the date for Swanage Carnival 2027: Saturday 31st July to Saturday 7th August […]