It’s going to be another bumper year for Weymouth and Portland with more than a million visitors expected to flock to the resort for various events.

In 2018, the borough will host more than 250 major events and festivals.

It is estimated more than a million event visitors will be coming – including competitors, family, friends and event enthusiasts – generating more than £275,000 for many local, national charities and good causes.

Weymouth and Portland Borough Council’s events programme includes an abundance of colourful community fetes and fairs, prestigious world and national sailing championships, live music, art, sports championships and many seasonal favourites.

Many of the borough’s iconic events are back in 2018 including the Wessex Folk Festival, armed forces celebrations and Chickerell Steam and Vintage Show in June, Pommery Dorset Seafood Festival in July, Weymouth Carnival and international fireworks in August, Nothe Fort Military Weekend and Weymouth Keelboat Regatta in September, Lions Beach Motocross in October, Guy Fawkes celebrations in November, and the Christmas pantomime, Chase the Pudding and the Lions Christmas Day Harbour Swim in December.

Big sporting events will once again feature strongly throughout the year, including one of the world’s biggest Ironman 70.3 triathlon. This prestigious multi discipline event attracts more than 2,500 entries from Britain and overseas.

The Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy has another busy year ahead with a number of high-profile sailing championships including the Byte World Championships, the RS 25th Anniversary Games and Weymouth Speed Week

Cllr Richard Kosior, Weymouth & Portland Borough Council’s Tourism and Culture spokesman, said: “This year’s programme is once again packed full of great events and activities offering something for everyone. Many of our seasonal favourites are joined by some fantastic new events, making the programme bigger and better than ever.”

“I’d like to encourage residents to spread the word and come and take advantage of this wonderful community-driven festival and events programme which continues to entertain and inspire as well as raise money for a range of charitable causes.”

Claudia Moore, Weymouth BID Manager, said: “The bustling 2018 events programme for Weymouth and Portland really emphasise the rich variety of what is on offer throughout the year. Events and festivals are internationally recognised as a major driver to bring additional visitors to an area.”

For a full listing of 2018 Weymouth and Portland events or a downloadable events programme see visit-dorset.com