The second May bank holiday is almost here and there are plenty of things to do in Dorset over the weekend.
Here is a list of 10 festivals or events that are sure to get make the most out of what will be a sunny weekend (hopefully).
BeCider Seaside 18 (Burton Bradstock) May 24/May 25/May 26
This all-weekend camping music and cider festival kick starts on Friday at Bredy Farm in Burton Bradstock.
Headliners on Friday include Mellowmatic, Mango Factory and Jimmy Hillbillies.
On Saturday it is the turn of the Lazyhabits, Omega Nebula and Malavita and to round off the weekend there will be performances by JFB, Karl Phillips and the Rejects and Sig Red.
It plans to be a lively one with bars open to 2am.
Tickets are £95 for the weekend and £33 for a day.
Copper Street Brewery Beer Festival May 25/May 26/May 27
Get down to Brewery Square Brewery Square for a three days of beer drinking and live music with plenty of street food stalls to feast on.
On Saturday there will be live music from Edger and Brown and on Sunday there will be music from Jim Etherington with both days starting at 12pm and running until 8pm.
On the Bank Holiday Monday the festival is open 12pm until 6pm.
Tables can be book ahead of time with a £20 deposit which gets you £20 worth of beer tokens.
Fayre in the Square (Weymouth) May 25/May 26
The popular Weymouth event returns with live music blaring from outside Brewers Quay and plenty of food, drink, and crafts stalls along the harbourside on Trinity Road and Cove Row.
This event has something for everyone and includes a brand new ‘Kids Street’ where children can have a go at arts and crafts.
Not only that, but the event raises funds for the Rotary club of Weymouth which helps many local causes.
Music starts at 10.15am and finishes at 6pm on both days.
Quayside Festival (Weymouth) May 25/May 26
Just the other side of the harbour there will be another classic Weymouth event.
The Quayside Festival at Rendezvous will again be bringing live music to the crowds.
The festivities will kick off on Customs House Quay at midday and bands finish at 10pm.
On Saturday there will be performances from the likes of Dukes of Havoc, Kimbo vs Damian, Iron Hide and Cooley & The Gang.
On Sunday The Leggomen will be closing the festivities with performances also coming from under the Carousel and Brothers Grimm plus many more.
Bryanston Summer Fair (Near Blandford) May 25 and May 26
Returning for its third year, the fair will be taking over the grounds of Bryanston School with more than 100 stalls, street food and a bar area.
Set in a beautiful rural setting there will also be kids’ entertainment, live music, and circus skill workshops for visitors to enjoy.
The fair runs from 10am until 5pm and cost £4 to get in – and just £1 for under 16s.
Swanage Pirate Festival May 25 May 26
Get ready for some skulduggery as pirates descend upon Swanage for a weekend filled with cannon fire and sword fights.
The event is open from 9am until 5pm and is free to visit with plenty of food and pirate pluder filled stalls to walk around.
There will also be living history displays and talks to enjoy.
On Saturday at 10.45am there will be a cannon display before full blown pirate battles break out on Banjo beach at 12.45pm and then on Sandpit field at 3.30pm.
On Sunday there will be a sword display at 10.45am before the two battles are recreated at Banjo beach and Sandpit field again.
Abbotsbury Swannery Food and Craft Fair May 25/26
Meet the fluffy cygnets and enjoy a weekend of food and crafts at the Abbotsbury Swannery with over 30 stalls from Dorset Food & Drink.
There will be Sharandys Birds of Prey a shoebox garden challenge, the new Bramble Hedge, the Willow Swan Maze, pedal go karts, vintage cars and live music.
It will cost £7.50 to get in or 31 for children between five and 15 years old.
May Half Term: D-Day Deceptions (Bovington) from May 25
Fancy getting up close and personnel with a tank? Well the Tank Museum is starting its live tank displays and D-Day commemoration activities from this weekend.
Visitors to the award-winning Bovington attraction can find out more about the invasion of northern France with the Morse code machine activity, float a tank task, and interactive games and trails.
Visitors can take part in tracked vehicle rides in the area and see an explosive live tank display every weekday throughout the half term
Kids can also let off steam in the museum’s soft play area and enjoy the outside tank themed adventure play area.
Open daily 9.30am until 5pm tickets cost £19.35 for adults of £10.49 for children.
Nothe Fort Pirate Extravaganza (Weymouth) from May 25
Pirates are set to descend on Nothe Fort which will be welcoming visitors for nine days of family fun as they host Pirate Week from Saturday until Sunday June 2.
The pirate-themed activities will be open daily between 10.30am until 4.00pm and visitors can expect heaps of pirate fun and treasure to find.
it will include a pirate ship for visitors to board, a walk the plank experience, panning for gold, and a host pirate games and crafts for people to enjoy.
The event is covered by a general admission or annual pass,
Pirate Day (West Bay) May 26
Another day of pirate debauchery including pirate games and entertainment for all the family with games on Fisherman's Green and West Bay Days Café in the Salt House.
Games in previous years have included pirate majorettes, treasure chest, lucky dip, cannon ball run and walk the plank.
The day's activities will be taking place from 12pm to 5pm.
The fancy dress competition will be judged at 2.30pm
Sherborne Castle County Fair and Rare Breeds show May 27
One way to round off the weekend would be to head to Sherborne Castle where there are plenty of fun activities to enjoy.
Open from 9am until 5pm it will cost £18 to get or £5 for children but there is plenty of value for money.
Activities on the day include archery, axe throwing, donkey rides, face painting and even paintball.
There will also be gymnast displays, Punch and Judy shows and vintage vehicles on display.
Not too mention Dragon boats, dog events and rare breed animals on show too.
The fair is open from 9am until 5pm and discounted tickets are available in advance.
There will also be face painting on offer, prizes for the best dressed pirate and a tombolo.
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