THERE'S a bank holiday weekend just around the corner but if you're looking for something to do, there's no shortage of events going on across Dorset.

The weather is set to stay dry on Saturday and Sunday with highs of 17C but unfortunately rain is predicted for bank holiday Monday. Whatever you're up to, have a good one!

Marvel at Dorset’s largest ever gathering of stormtroopers at the Dorchester Love Parade on Sunday

The parade will see lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and their supporters taking to the streets to celebrate diversity.

Britain’s number one Madonna tribute act will be performing, encouraging the county town to ‘strike a pose’.

The action starts at 12.30pm from the Town Pump in South Street, followed by events at Maumbury Rings and an after party at Cafe Jagos in High West Street from 8pm.

Sip tea in the traditional way by enjoying a tea ceremony at Kingston Lacy

The National Trust house and gardens, near Wimborne, is offering visitors a chance to sample a selection of quality loose-leaf teas, professionally prepared by tea expert Cai Wan-Ling of Blandford-based Wan Ling Tea House.

Sessions are five times a day from tomorrow to Monday. It costs £10 per person and booking is essential. Click here.

Turn back the clock at the Nothe Fort’s Victorian Fair tomorrow and on Sunday

Special activities at the Weymouth Fort will include the Fort Artillery firing their cannons and performing musket and marching drill to the sounds of bugle and drums. There will be food and craft stalls, a Victorian schoolroom, maypole dancing, and singing. Click here.

See a film under the stars at Corfe Castle

Open air cinema returns to Corfe Castle this weekend with not one but three films being screened as part of the Purbeck Film Festival. Watch Tom Hanks as Captain Phillips tonight, The Lego Movie will keep the little ones entertained tomorrow, while sci-fi fans will want to catch Star Trek: Into Darkness on Sunday.

All three screenings start, weather permitting, at 8.45pm, with gates opening at 7.30pm. Movie fans are asked to bring their own seats and to wrap up warm. Don’t forget the popcorn. Click here.

Enjoy live music in a beautiful setting

The award-winning Purbeck Folk Festival continues this weekend at Wilkswood Farm farm in the heart of the beautiful Isle of Purbeck. The event, which is now in its sixth year, features its strongest musical bill to date with headliners including Turin Brakes, Eddi Reader, Idlewild Acoustic, singer songwriter Lloyd Cole, The (still beautiful) South, British folk stalwart Chris Wood and chart toppers Nizlopi.

According to the Purbeck Folk Festival website, day tickets for both adults and children are still available.

Explore the intricate world of wood turning and gypsy peg making at the Stock Gaylard Oak Fair tomorrow and Sunday.

The family-friendly event, held at the Stock Gaylard Estate near Sturminster Newton, is now in its tenth year.

The entire family will enjoy this traditional countryside event, with displays of axe wielding, falconry and heavy horse logging. Click here for more information.

Meet a sci-fi star at Charfest

Actors from the original Star Wars trilogy and Doctor Who will be among the line-up at Charfest this weekend.

Among the guests expected from Doctor Who are John Levene, who played UNIT’s Sgt Benton in the 1970s; Sarah Louise Madison, who played a Weeping Angel in the revived show; and Ian McNeice, who played Winston Churchill opposite Matt Smith’s Doctor.

The two day event. which starts today. takes place at Avon Social Club in Charminster and is being held in aid of charity Victim No More. There will be signings, live bands, stalls, a barbecue and a Friday night cabaret.

Saturday sees the start of the new series of Doctor Who – and VIP ticket-holders can watch it in the company of the celebrity guests. VIP tickets to Charfest cost £40; other tickets range from £6 for a day visit to £21 for a standard weekend pass. Under-12s go free. Details are available here.

Enjoy a traditional village fete

A fete will take place on Wimborne St Giles village green on Sunday from noon until 4pm. Admission to the event, which will feature jazz music, skittles, a display or classic cars, a duck race, refreshments and more, is £2.

Explore Hardown Hill through the medium of oil, watercolour and etching

Morcombelake Art Group is holding their annual exhibition on the theme of Hardown Hill at the James Hargreaves Community Hall in Morcombelake, from Saturday to Tuesday.

For more information call 01297 489521.

Enjoy a traditional country show

On Bank Holiday Monday the Cattistock Countryside Show will be at Rampisham Down near Dorchester from 9am to 5pm.

There will be equine classes, a dog show and demonstrations of traditional skills such as shoeing, wrought iron work and woodcarving as well as entertainment for children. Click here.

See 80 artists’ different works at an open studio event

Bridport and West Dorset Open Studios 2014 takes place from Saturday to Monday at various times and locations around the area.
For more information click here.