Weymouth and Portland will host more than 250 events during 2015, including community fetes and fairs, world and national sailing championships, live music, art, sports championships and many seasonal favourites.

The events programme gets off to a sporting start in March with top class sailing action with the RYA Olympic Class and Winter Racing Regatta’s at the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy and back on land with Weymouth and Portland’s first mass participation Half Marathon Run, with over 1200 participants taking in many of the area’s iconic viewing areas. Don’t forget to find time to visit the 15th Best of Dorset Show, a free event at the Weymouth Pavilion showcasing a year of fun and adventure taking place throughout Dorset in 2015.

The borough’s major events are back in 2015 including, Wessex Folk Festival and Armed Forces Celebrations in June, Pommery Dorset Seafood Festival and Spirit of Portland in July, Weymouth Carnival and International Fireworks in August, Waterfest and Challenge Triathlon in September, Lions Beach Motocross in October and Guy Fawkes in November.

Big sporting events and championships will once again feature strongly throughout the year, including one of the country’s leading Ironman Distance Triathlons. This year’s Challenge Triathlon promises to attract over 2,000 competitors and feature a strong entry from Europe. Back on the water the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy has a busy year of hosting high profile sailing events including the ISAF Sailing World Cup, Hansa UK Nationals and Bart’s Bash 2.

Throughout 2015 many local people and sports visitors will take part in sporting challenges such as BustinSkin multi-event series, Round-the-Rock I0K, I0 mile road race and Dimble Bimble Fun Run on Portland, the Weymouth I0 Mile Race and Weldmar Midnight Walk on Weymouth Seafront, It’s A Knockout at Lodmoor Country Park and the ASA Long Distance Swimming Championships of Preston Beach.

July and August is always a great time to try out a new activity, why not join the fun on Weymouth Beach at this years the all new Dorset Sports and Wellbeing Festival, two day opportunity to try water sports (Kayaking and paddle boarding), a range of beach sports and general health checks and information . The two week sports and wellbeing festival will also feature a two day Disability Beach Festival for Dorset Schools and Adults, Battens Charity Beach Volleyball event, RFU Tag Rugby and the RAF Weymouth Beach Volleyball Classic, the country’s leading two a side men’s and women’s volleyball championships.

Throughout 2015 the borough’s fabulous park and open spaces will host a range of activities including fetes, fairs and picnics organised by the park’s friends groups and borough council.

Weymouth & Portland Borough Council Tourism and Culture brief holder, Cllr Rachel Rogers said: “The 2015 programme is packed full of great events and offers something for everyone. The many seasonal favourites are joined by some fantastic new events, making the programme bigger and better than ever. I'd like to encourage residents to participate in this impressive community based events programme which continues to entertain and inspire and to generate social and economic and benefits across the borough.”