Swanage has a thriving, year-round music scene, covering all genres. There’s classical, jazz and blues festivals, family-friendly charity gigs, and live music in a range of pubs, village halls and theatre venues, bringing fresh new, local bands and established bigger names to Purbeck. Find upcoming concerts, open mic nights and free music sessions on our calendar.
🗓️ Thursday 11th & Thursday 18th December 2025 Get the dates in your diary for Swanage Railway’s new Christmas Carol Train rides this December. More information will be released later in the year – keep up to date with the latest announcements via the Swanage Railway website: https://www.swanagerailway.co.uk And for a journey with a touch […]
🗓️ Thursday 2nd – Sunday 5th October 2025 The annual Swanage Blues Festival brings the distinctive sounds of blues, roots and soul to Swanage’s pubs, bars and music venues each autumn. This October, enjoy some 60 gigs across 15 great venues in Swanage and Purbeck as it the festival celebrates its 25th anniversary. 2025 Programme Highlights […]
🗓️ Saturday 27th September 2025 Join Bournemouth Concert Brass at The Mowlem for a matinee performance of their rousing annual Last Night of the Proms. They’ll be playing music from across the genres, including British sea songs, Jerusalem and the obligatory Land of Hope and Glory. Audience participation is encouraged!
🗓️ Friday 5th – Sunday 7th September 2025 The annual folk festival in Swanage takes place each September, bringing the town alive with traditional music and colourful dance displays, along with a range of activities to get involved in. It’s a weekend of folk concerts, street performances, music and dance workshops, all topped off with a […]
🗓️ Thursday 4th – Sunday 7th September 2025 Enjoy four days of classical music on the Isle of Purbeck at a range of historic venues. Purbeck International Chamber Music Festival (PICMF) has grown into a hugely popular and unique event in Dorset after it began life as part of local art festival Purbeck Art Weeks. Each […]
🗓️ Friday 29th – Sunday 31st August 2025 The Jurassic Dance Festival is returning this summer, with three days of classic dance tunes. *Unfortunately this event has been cancelled and will not go ahead for 2025* Held at Wilkswood Farm, just outside Swanage – also home to the Wilkswood Reggae Festival – it’s a celebration […]
🗓️ Wednesday 20th August 2025 Journey through the life of Karen Carpenter in This Carpenter’s Masquerade – a musical tribute and touching exploration of the story behind the woman, from the early days of The Carpenters to her lasting legacy. The show features The Carpenters’ classics including Rainy Days & Mondays, Top of the World […]
🗓️ Thursday 14th – Sunday 17th August 2025 This family-friendly, intimate festival is set on a farm just outside Swanage and is one of the most popular events of its kind on the Jurassic Coast. Kick back to the sounds of world and roots music, and dust off your dancing shoes for some toe-tapping traditional […]
🗓️ Saturday 9th August 2025 Get your ‘Ticket to Ride’ tonight with the Upbeat Beatles at The Mowlem. The Beatles tribute band will be playing all your favourite Fab Four hits. Tickets Check the Upbeat Beatles out on their website: www.upbeatbeatles.co.uk
🗓️ Thursday 31st July – Sunday 3rd August 2025 The annual Camp Bestival in Lulworth is arguably the largest festival on the Isle of Purbeck and brings some of the UK’s biggest names in music to Dorset. The brainchild of DJ Rob Da Bank and wife Josie, Camp Bestival’s top names for 2025 include Sir Tom Jones, […]
🗓️ Thursday 24th – Sunday 27th July 2025 Dubbed by the team as ‘Notting Hill Carnival by the sea’, this intimate little festival brings the sound of roots, reggae, dub and ska to the heart of the Purbeck countryside. *Unfortunately this event has been cancelled and will not go ahead for 2025* Set on a […]
🗓️ Friday 11th – Sunday 13th July 2025 Swanage’s annual jazz festival is a firm favourite in the town’s busy events calendar, returning each year with over 50 bands performing live across three days. From free fringe outdoor concerts and performances in local pubs & hotels, to main ticketed events at venues including Swanage’s Mowlem […]
🗓️ Friday 4th July 2025 There’s musical mayhem at The Mowlem tonight with comedy mash-up maestros Juliette Pochin and James Morgan. Expect silly songs, irreverent verse, audience participation and a hint of ABBA. The duo met whilst at uni at Cambridge and have together written for stage and screen, working with several famous names, from […]
🗓️ Friday 27th June 2025 Jazz and swing cover band Five Star Swing are back at The Mowlem tonight, with their Swing n’ Sinatra show. It’s a celebration of 100 years of swing music and all things Frank Sinatra. The group has appeared on various TV shows, including Children in Need, Military Wives and Strictly […]
🗓️ Saturday 21st June 2025 Get your cowboy hats and boots ready for a daytime disco, Country style, at The Fonc Lounge today. There’ll be non-stop modern and old school country hits by the likes of Dolly Parton, Jonny Cash, Luke Combs and Shania Twain. And there’ll be scenic backdrops for fun photo opportunities to […]
🗓️ Saturday 14th June 2025 Join local jazz band Swing Easy Too, plus special guests, at The Mowlem’s Showbar this afternoon for a special fundraising concert. The group, under the banner Music Unlimited for Swanage Independent Charities (M.U.S.I.C.), is holding the charity gig for Dementia Friendly Purbeck. Come and show your support and enjoy an […]
🗓️ Saturday 7th June 2025 Get ready to let your hair down, have a great time – and be home in time for your evening tea…or keep the night going! Menopause of Sound – a play on words of the famous club brand Ministry of Sound – is all about celebrating life at any stage […]
🗓️ Thursday 5th June 2025 Purbeck Folk Club is back with another night of live music in Langton – tonight featuring Milton Hide. It’s a great chance to catch the folk duo before they perform at the Wimborne Folk Festival this weekend. Bring your own drinks (glasses provided) or purchase refreshments, hot drinks and homemade […]
🗓️ Saturday 31st May 2025 Head to The Scott Arms this evening for another live DJ night, brought to you by Funky Lemonade. Tonight’s party features award-winning Krafty Kuts, aka DJ Martin Reeves – a pioneer of the UK breakbeat & bass movement. Check his music out online: https://kraftykuts.com
🗓️ Saturday 31st May 2025 Enjoy a special musical performance by Saied Silbak (oud) and Fred Thomas (percussion and keyboard) at Sandy Hill Arts this evening. The duo’s music has Turkish, Arabic, Indian and Western influences. For full information and performer bios, as well as booking, please visit the Sandy Hill Arts website: sandyhillarts.co.uk/events/saied-silbak-and-fred-thomas-gig/
🗓️ Saturday 24th May 2025 Join Swanage Drama Company and friends at another memorable evening of entertainment at The Mowlem tonight. Showcasing an array of local talent, there’ll be music, comedy sketches and performances from: There will also be a raffle with some great prizes to be won at this fun, community event. Tickets And […]
🗓️ Wednesday 21st May- Sunday 31st August 2025 (Selected Dates) Enjoy another exciting programme of band music at Swanage’s bandstand this spring and summer season. Bring a picnic, blanket or camping chair, or take a seat in the tiered amphitheatre, and soak up the sunshine and atmosphere as you listen to some live music at […]
🗓️ Saturday 17th May 2025 There’s live music in The Showbar tonight from Bournemouth’s Quartet of the Hot Club. They’re a gypsy jazz/swing band made up of: Check the band out on Facebook: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551782064708
🗓️ Saturday 17th May 2025 The Belvedere Singers return with another uplifting concert for spring this May. The programme includes choral works by Elgar, Gjeilo, Mozart and some lighter pieces inspired by Flanders & Swann and Gilbert & Sullivan. The choir will also be singing an original song, Crossings, by choir director Clive Watkiss and […]
🗓️ Thursday 8th May 2025 Come and celebrate the 80th anniversary of VE Day today at the Swanage Bandstand. It’s a chance for the community to come together in remembrance and commemoration and enjoy some live music to mark the occasion from Swanage singer, Karen Grant, who will be performing songs from the era. The […]
🗓️ Sunday 4th May 2025 Come along to a musical celebration and commemoration of the 80th anniversary of VE Day this afternoon. Local singer Karen Grant will be singing reflective music alongside tributes in this special concert of remembrance at St James’ Church in Kingston.
🗓️ Saturday 3rd May 2025 The Mowlem does Motown tonight in this upbeat tribute show. Legends of Motown celebrates all the legendary Motown-era artists, such as Stevie Wonder, The Temptations, Marvin Gaye, The Supremes, Martha Reeves and lots more.
🗓️ Saturday 3rd May 2025 Indie alt pop/rock singer Carley Varley is playing at The Village Inn in Ulwell tonight. Find out more about Bournemouth-based Carley online: https://carleyvarley.com
🗓️ Saturday 26th April 2025 It’s a night of tribute music at The Mowlem tonight with the Tom Petty & Fleetwood Mac Legacy Show. The two-hour concert is a celebration of the bands’ classic hits, including Free Fallin’, Go Your Own Way, Little Lies and lots more.
🗓️ Saturday 19th April 2025 Four talented local musicians are coming together in The Mowlem’s Showbar this evening for a night of song and improv. Quartet Blue Doves is made up of: