Poole hosts a variety of events to keep the whole family entertained. For a full events listing go to the Events Calendar .

Poole Tourism & Wave 105's Summertime in the South

A festival of events every year from April until September.  Poole Tourism and Wave 105 bring you the longest Summertime in the South! 

New Year's Day Bath Race

1st January, Poole Quay
Every New Years Day sees a vast array of craft take to the water to raise funds for local charities. Organised by the Pirates of Poole .

Dream Machines

Tuesdays, April to September, Poole Quay 6 pm
The biggest and best weekly motorcycle event in the UK. Up to 2,000 bike enthusiasts roar into the town to showcase their bikes and meet with fellow bikers and spectators on Poole Quayside.

Quay for my Car

Fridays, May to August, Poole Quay 6 pm
Poole Quay is closed to traffic and filled with themed cars as enthusiasts bring their pride and joy to Poole - a fantastic event for spectators and owners.  Themed nights include Mini's, British Classics, Beetles and Audi TT's.

Poole Street Arts Festival 

Poole Quay, early May
Prepare for a fun-filled day of the very best street arts entertainment and performances as Poole Quay is taken over by street arts companies and live music.

Mini Steam on the Quay

May, Poole Quay
Celebrate the sights, sounds and smells of the age of steam when mini traction engines come to Poole Quay for a great day out.

Summer Breeze on the Quay with Fireworks

Every Thursday in June on Poole Quay from 6 pm
Live music, quayside restaurants, vibrant pubs and bars, activities all evening to keep the family entertained and a spectacular fireworks finale.

Events Afloat

There's a host of events on the water in Poole throughout the summer.

Poole Afloat

10 am - 6 pm on Poole Quay, 19th June
Poole’s biggest free boating and watersports event. Enjoy a showcase of boats and watersports accessories, "Try a Boat" sessions and entertainment on Poole Quay.

Harry Paye Day

Poole Quay, 19th June
A gathering of pirates on Poole Quay to honour the memory of Harry Paye, the renowned Poole pirate. With live music, family fun, rowing races and a pirate procession. 

Beachfest

Two weeks of music and sport at Sandbanks Beach in July.

British Beach Polo Championship

Sandbanks Beach, July
Two days of beach polo with professional polo players competing in a specially constructed arena on Sandbanks Beach. Evening entertainment on both days.

Brownsea Open Air Theatre

Brownsea Island,  July/August 
Open Air Theatre , one of many special events on the National Trust's Brownsea Island.

Summer Breeze on the Beach

Every Thursday in August, Shore Road Beach, Sandbanks from 7 pm
Beach sports and family fun, live music on the terrace of the Sandbanks Hotel, superb beachside dining and a spectacular fireworks finale.

Continental Street Market

Poole Quay, September
Traders show off the best produce France, Germany, Italy and Spain have to offer with a superb variety of the finest goods. Open from 9.30 - 5.30pm, stalls and traders stretch along Poole Quay overlooking the water’s edge. Visit isstv to see the 2009 Market.

RNLI Open Day

Royal National Lifeboat Institute HQ, Poole, September
The RNLI HQ  and the Lifeboat College, where lifeboat crews and lifeguards train, open their doors to the public for a weekend in September. A chance to find out more about what the RNLI does including sea survival demonstrations, lifeboat tours, rescue demonstrations & tours.  This event is held every two years - the next is in 2011.

Animal Poole Windfest

2nd weekend in September
The South Coast's biggest action sports festival: windsurfing, kitesurfing, stand up paddleboarding, wakeboarding and much more.  www.animalwindfest.co.uk   See footage of the 2009 event on issTV

Fireworks Display

5th November, Poole Quay
November 5th brings a host of street entertainers plus live music to Poole Quay, leading up to a fantastic free fireworks display on the water at 8 pm. The whole length of the Quay is packed with entertainers keeping the crowds entertained from 4.30 pm.

Santa Arrives in Poole

In late November Santa arrives by lifeboat at Poole Quay, then makes his way through the town to his grotto in the Dolphin Shopping Centre.

Lantern Procession

December
Local school children process along the High Street and gather at the Guildhall to sing carols.

Christmas on the Quay

December
Father Christmas is welcomed to Poole Quay with an evening of entertainment, including a flotilla of lights (if the weather permits).