What’s on in our area

 

April

Antique & Decorative Arts Market

Saturday 4 April, The Furlong, Ringwood

A mix of antiques, collectibles and those making crafts and decorative arts. 

 

MAY

VE Day 75

8 May, 10am to 5pm, The Tank Museum, Linsay Rd, Bovington, Wareham

Commemorate VE Day with live entertainment, vintage fairground games a street party,  WWII Motorbike displays, special exhibitions and more at the Tank Museum. www.tankmuseum.org

Dogstival

17-18 May, Pylewell Park, The New Forest 

A new Festival for dogs and dog lovers, with open fields, exciting woodlands and a beach, plus food and drink producers from across the Forest, a vintage fun fair and live music. www.dogstival.co.uk

 

JUNE

Wimborne Minster Folk Festival

12-14 June, various venues around Wimborne

One of the largest gathering of dance teams and musicians in the South of England, this festival attracts around 70,000 people! www.wimbornefolk.co.uk

 

JULY

New Forest & Hampshire County Show

30 July-1 August, New Park Showground, Clay Hill, Brockenhurst SO42 7QH

One of the top agricultural shows in the country, with dog shows, gymkhana and farm animals, as well as a local produce market and demonstrations. Tickets are available from the Gateway building in the Ringwood main town carpark.  www.newforestshow.co.uk 

 

AUGUST

Great Dorset Chilli Festival 

Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 August, St Giles House, Wimborne St. Giles,

A great gathering for chilli enthusiasts and local food and drink lovers with hundreds of stalls, demonstrations and tastings. Hosted at the home of the Earl of Shaftesbury. www.greatdorsetchillifestival.co.uk

Ellingham Show

Saturday 8 August, 9an-5.30pm, Somerley Estate

If you want to soak up our agricultural heritage, this show is a great day out hosted by our local stately home. It has dog displays and dog show, equestrian events, Shetland pony racing, a donky show, livestock classes, heavy horses and fancy dress competition, to name just a few of main ring attractions. There will also be judging of fruit, vegetables and baking, plus numerous stalls. www.ellinghamshow.co.uk

Lymington Seafood Festival

Saturday 8 & Sunday 9 August, Bath Road Park, Lymington SO41 3SE

The organisers have scoured the New Forest and South Coast for exciting and innovative food and drink producers. The festival will also host bands and artists. It’s sponsored by Ringwood Brewery and is raising funds for the RNLI lifeboats. For more information about the festival and parking, etc. www.lymingtonseafoodfestival.co.uk

Mudeford Lifeboat Funday

Sunday 9 August, Mudeford Quay, Christchurch

A free and fun charity event event with some homemade raft races, search and rescue demonstrations and plenty of stalls by the sea. www.mudefordlifeboatfunday.co.uk

The Great Dorset Steam Fair

 Thursday 27 to Monday 31 August, South Down, Tarrant Hinton, Blandford, DT11 8HX

One of the world’s largest heritage and cultural events, showcasing Britain’s industrial, agricultural and leisure history. Experience steam giants of the past, WW1 flying aircraft, heavy horse displays and much more. www.gdsf.co.uk

Bournemouth Air Show

Thursday 20 August to Sunday 23 August, Bournemouth sea front

Free displays in the air, on the ground and at night in the UK’s largest air festival, featuring the Red Arrows and other flight acrobatics along with WW2 planes. www.bournemouthair.co.uk

 

SEPTEMBER

New Forest Marathon

Sunday 13 September, New Forest Marathon, hosted at the New Park Showground, Clay Hill, Brockenhurst SO42 7QH

A locally run event consisting of a marathon, half marathon, 10k, 5k,  1k fun and junior run plus woodland walk all in the beautiful New Forest. www.newforestmarathon.co.uk

Ringwood Carnival

Saturday 19th September, Ringwood town centre

Our local town turns out to watch its businesses, schools and local organisations raise money for good causes. Processions at 2pm and 7.15pm. www.ringwoodcarnival.org

 

OCTOBER

New Forest Walking Festival

Dates TBA

Let local experts take you on guided walks and learn about the history, heritage and wildlife of this unique area.

 

Regular Events

Markets and car boot sales

  • Ringwood Town Market – every Wednesday, Ringwood Market Place
  • New Milton Street Market – every Wednesday
  • Hampshire Farmers’ Market, Ringwood Furlong – Last Saturday of every month, 10am-2pm www.hampshirefarmersmarkets.co.uk 
  • Lymington Market – every Saturday

Ashley Heath Car Boot Sale is one of the largest and longest-running in the area. Every Sunday 7am-1.30pm at Homeland Farm, Three Legged Cross, Wimborne BH21 6QZ

Canford Park Arena Car Boot Fairs take place on Sundays at Canford Park Arena Magna Rd, BH21 3AP. Early buyers from 9.30am pay £10/car. Buyers from 11am pay £1/car. View website

 

Health and wellbeing

Park Run

Every Saturday 9am Moors Valley Country Park.

www.parkrun.org.uk/moorsvalley

 

Fordingbridge & Blashford Lakes Health Walks

Every Thursday throughout the year, guided by volunteers. Meet outside Fordingbridge Library for 10.30am start. Open to all. FREE. 10590 646671 for info.

 

More ideas

Theatres and music venues