Festivals & Events in Christchurch, Dorset

For the 11th year, the Cheese and Chilli Festival is returning to Christchurch in 2025! The festival promises to be a vibrant celebration filled with incredible flavours, colours, and experiences—you won’t want to miss it! Whether the sun is shining or it’s a bit rainy, it will be an amazing time for everyone! The Christchurch Cheese and Chilli Festival celebrates local producers of cheese and chilli related products, hosts a variety of musical and theatrical entertainment, and supports local charities with it's profits. Be it live cooking demonstrations, circus-style performances, live music, taste tents, or chilli eating competitions, the festival is filled with delightful activities for adults and kids alike.

Find information about 2025 Festival Events in Christchurch, Dorset, including food, music and car festivals.

The largest music and sport festival in the world, Bournemouth 7s has come around once again! Buy tickets here: https://bournemouth7s.com/tickets/

Come and join in the fun for free! The Christchurch Carnival promises a fun weekend which includes a float parade, fireworks, stalls and more! The event takes place every August.

Visit the Mudeford Arts Festival in July 2027 at Mudeford Quay, Christchurch. This free Dorset arts festival celebrates local creativity with artists, handmade crafts, live music, demonstrations, food and family-friendly entertainment in a beautiful harbourside setting. It's one of Christchurch's most popular summer events and a wonderful weekend for visitors of all ages.

Step back in time at the Shake & Stir Vintage Music Festival 2027, taking place at Fisherman’s Walk in Southbourne in June. This year’s special Armed Forces Weekender combines live vintage music, swing and jive dancing, military heritage displays, an Armed Forces parade, family entertainment and independent traders. With free admission and activities for all ages, Shake & Stir is one of Southbourne’s most distinctive community events.

Dedicated to preserving vintage vehicles, Christchurch's Classic Cars on the Quay allows new generations to experience the past. The array of cars from yesteryear is a must-see for any vintage enthusiast, and a lovely experience for any casual visitors.

Enjoy Stompin' on the Quomps 2026, Christchurch's much-loved free smooth jazz festival, taking place on Saturday 1 August at The Quomps. Celebrate 30 years of live music with talented jazz performers, delicious food and drink, a welcoming family atmosphere and stunning riverside views. Find event dates, admission details, opening times and everything you need to plan your visit to one of Dorset's most relaxing summer music events.

Welcome to Bournemouth’s newest festival: Kings Park Festival. This two-day, multi-arena, multi-genre music festival located in the heart of Bournemouth will be held on Sat 4th & 5th May 2025.

Located at Christchurch Quay, XChurch Music Festival celebrates the vibrant local community while welcoming visitors from near and far. Join for an unforgettable weekend of live music, great food, and entertainment for all ages.

Visit the Dorset Wine Festival for a day of sipping, swirling, and savoring the best wines from the region!

Launched in 2000, Christchurch Food Festival continues to bring people together in one of the most beautiful spots on the South Coast to share great food and drink. With chef demos, live entertainment, and a delicious selection of local produce, the festival celebrates the pleasure of food while also helping to support small producers and independent food businesses.

The Highcliffe Food and Arts Festival takes place every June - its is a two-day celebration of local food & drink. The event is organised and run by a committee of unpaid volunteers who want to ensure the festival promotes local food producers, independent restaurants and retailers in Highcliffe. The objective of the festival is also to increase the profile of Highcliffe as a tourist destination, and to encourage people to eat healthy, homemade and locally sourced food through educations & fun workshops, plus cookery demonstrations.

Celebrate summer at the Christchurch Music Festival, one of Dorset's biggest live music weekends. Taking place in July at the beautiful Christchurch Quay, the festival features live music, tribute acts, chart-topping performers, street food, bars and family-friendly entertainment. Find event dates, ticket information, opening times, venue details and everything you need to plan your visit to this popular Dorset music festival.