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  1. Inside Out Dorset A woman wearing a black top also wears a green peculiar looking helmet. There are large dome shapes in the background, set amongst some trees.

    Canopy: 24 ideas about trees

      1. 13/09/25-21/09/25 - 10 am-4 pm
      2. 18/09/25 - 7 pm, 8 pm & 9 pm
    • Moors Valley

    24 ideas about trees. Experience this fascinating sound installation as you walk through the forest. Immersed in a world of trees, you are invited to discover a trail of suspended seed pods, to pause and to listen. Artist Lorna Rees has collaborated with nearly 500 people to make CANOPY. Ecologists, artists, folk musicians, writers, and […]

  2. Inside Out Dorset An illustration of people working and foraging in the grass in front of the Cerne Abbas giant.

    Consequences

      1. 13/09/25-14/09/25 Summerhouse Hill - Yeovil - 10 am-4 pm
      2. 20/09/25-21/09/25 North Castle Field - Corfe Castle - 10 am-4:30 pm
    • Yeovil & Corfe Castle

    A monumental new creature is being created for the Dorset National Landscape, inspired by the mystery of the Cerne Abbas Giant. Artist Becca Gill and her company Radical Ritual, along with members of local community groups, have created a new giant for the region. The artwork is based on the game Consequences – where you […]

  3. Inside Out Dorset Indian dancers in red and orange costumes perform with flags

    Sonnet of Samsara

      1. 19/09/25-20/09/25 - 7 pm
    • Weymouth

    See Weymouth’s streets come alive with hundreds of silk pennants, local dance groups and international dance artists. You’ll witness an amazing fusion of contemporary dance, martial arts and live soundscapes coming from boom bikes. The performance starts at Weymouth Town Bridge and weaves through the streets to the beach. Along the way there’ll be short […]

  4. Inside Out Dorset A wooden horse and cart toy

    Arrels

      1. 20/09/25 - 11 am-5 pm
      2. 21/09/25 - 12 pm-5 pm
    • Corfe Castle

    Arrels is a collection of twenty games based on various cultural traditions. Each game has its own story and characters waiting for you to enjoy. Experience a meeting place that celebrates diversity and invites you to connect with the customs of different cultures. Created by a lifelong carpenter, an artist, and a builder, the games […]

  5. Inside Out Dorset A performer bends over backwards and reaches to an audience member. They are surrounded by metal poles.

    Idiòfona

      1. 20/09/25 - 12 pm & 2:45 pm
      2. 21/09/25 - 1:30 pm
    • Corfe Castle

    Performer Joan Català gathers an audience to build an incredible, large sound installation. Using his well-honed style of physical performance, Joan has created a unique performance with metal tubes that brings together the ideas of material, space and community. Idiophones are musical instruments that produce sound from vibration. Prepare to join in and to eventually […]

  6. Inside Out Dorset A man in a white shirt holds a spinning top in his hand

    Poi

      1. 20/09/25 - 1:15 pm & 4 pm
      2. 21/09/25 - 12 pm & 3:30 pm
    • Corfe Castle

    Poi – the spinning top – a toy on the verge of extinction. Prepare to be mesmerised by the story of a man trapped by the gyroscopic effect of his spinning top. Magical and historical, merging circus arts with the roots of Mediterranean culture, this show will amaze young and old alike. Spinning top world […]

  7. Inside Out Dorset A blurred image of a person standing on grass surrounded by trees

    We Fear Episode V: Leviathan

      1. 20/09/25-21/09/25 - 1:40 pm & 4:15 pm
    • Corfe Castle

    We Fear Episode V: Leviathan explores the complexities of human fear around change. It delves into the underlying tensions between the necessity of change in order to survive, and the desire to preserve the past to honour our roots. This is the fifth production in a series of events that integrate performing arts and installation […]

  8. Activate events An image of a woman wearing a red shirt and glasses looking to the left and a man wearing sunglasses and holding a microphone

    October holiday creative workshops

      1. 30/10/25-31/10/25 - 10 am-3:30 pm
    • Poole

    The Art of Belonging: What makes you who you are? Ready to get creative this half term? Join us for two fun-packed days of writing and performing workshops led by ethnically diverse professional writers, performers and musicians. Together we’ll explore the stories, places and things that make you feel you belong. No previous experience needed, […]

Watch This Space

Our next IOD Festival takes place in September 2025

Planning is underway for our 2025 festival – it’s set to be bigger and better than ever before. Please sign up to be the first to hear about news and events. You can expect enchanting installations, spectacular parade shows, awe-inspiring acrobatics and thought-provoking performances; some of Dorset’s most remarkable urban and rural spots will be transformed. Click the link below to join our mailing list and be the first to here about events.

Archive

  1. Inside Out Dorset A group of dancers on a dark stage, all holding their right hand in the air.

    We Rise

      1. 13/09/25 - 2 pm & 3 pm
    • Christchurch

    We Rise captures the energy and determination of younger generations rising up to protect the planet.   Created by Dorset Youth Dance in collaboration with professional choreographer Robyn Holder from Feet Off The Ground Dance, We Rise is a powerful contemporary dance performance. It unravels stories of protest, climate action, community and hope. It captures the […]

  2. Inside Out Dorset Artist wearing yellow top and dungarees holding up a painting. Back of a girls head in the foreground of the image.

    Meet the Artist

      1. 13/09/25 - 2:15 pm-2:45 pm
    • Christchurch

    A talk given by Heidi Steller and your chance to hear about the creative journey behind the River of Hope project in Dorset and Hampshire.

  3. Inside Out Dorset An illustration of large colourful flags on a sloping green hill. There are several people sat underneath the flags.

    River of Hope

      1. 12/09/25 - 5 pm-7:30 pm
      2. 13/09/25-14/09/25 - 10 am-7 pm
      3. 15/09/25 - 10 am-2 pm
    • Christchurch

    International project, River of Hope, comes to Dorset. The finale of this major artwork, Christchurch, this is your chance to see over 60 inspirational flags created by young people, in response to the climate crisis. River of Hope is a national project that gives young people the amazing opportunity to visit their local rivers and […]

  4. Activate events

    Street in the Park 2025

      1. 10/05/25 - 2 pm-7:30 pm
    • Dorchester

    Street In The Park is back! Get ready to witness epic DJ sets, creative street dance and amazing graffiti. Come on down to Borough Gardens in Dorchester on Saturday 10 May for a FREE family-friendly afternoon for everyone who loves music mixes, street dance and local DJs who are ready to play a big crowd.

  5. Activate events Ensemble of performers with their arms in the air.

    Ramshacklicious & Hijinx present: TRUTH!

      1. 26/04/25 - 11:30 am & 2:30 pm
    • Weymouth

    Part of Portland and Weymouth Towns of Culture launch weekend. A unique roving outdoor performance by an inclusive ensemble of playful troublemakers! The rebellion arrive – full of hope, fiercely comic and on a mission to disrupt the public norm. You, the audience, join in with the unfurling games which explore power and control. A […]

  6. Remix Activate events Young people dancing on grass

    Easter workshops

      1. 15/04/25-17/04/25 - 9:30 am-12:45 pm & 1:30 pm-5 pm
    • Weymouth

    Note – All sessions now FULLY BOOKED – email remix@activateperformingarts.org.uk to join the wait list   Get Ready to Shine at Street in the Park! The date is set, the stage is waiting, and we’re calling ALL performers ready to show off their skills. This Easter, were hosting 3 days of electrifying workshops in Street […]

  7. Activate events A long range view of a sandy beach with greenery to the left and the sea to the right. A circle of people can be seen on the sand.

    Transitioning Landscapes: Artists’ Talk

      1. 02/04/25 - 6 pm-7:30 pm
    • Portland

    Join us for an engaging artists’ talk where talented creators, David Koronczi (Slovakia), Rita Hoofwijk (the Netherlands) and artists collective RaraWoulib (France) talk about their work responding to transitions in the landscape. You will hear about: issues of water extraction in northern Slovakia rising sea levels and pollution in the Camargue, France increased soil salination in Terschelling in the Netherlands, due to sea […]

  8. Activate events

    Celebratory Showcase at The Bay Theatre, Weymouth

      1. 15/12/24 - 6 pm-8 pm
    • Weymouth College

    Join us for an evening of entertainment to celebrate Dorset’s talented young people on the Sunday 15th December at The Bay Theatre at Weymouth College. Activate had once again invited groups from across Dorset to perform together at its annual Christmas showcase. This year featured performances from: The Remix The Premix The Remix Originals Dorset […]

  9. Remix

    Remix, Premix and Originals Year Round Classes

      1. 24/11/24-13/07/25
    • Weymouth

    Would you like to join an inclusive youth performance company?  The Remix is open to young people age 12-17, both disabled and non-disabled, from across Dorset.  For younger children, there is the Premix which is a similar group set up for 5-11 year olds and more recently we have established a new group called The Originals […]

  10. Dorset Youth Dance

    Dorset Youth Dance Year Round Classes

      1. 24/11/24-13/07/25 - 10 am-12:30 pm
    • Dorchester

    Join Dorset Youth Dance (DYD) and FALL IN LOVE WITH DANCING! DYD is a county-wide youth dance company offering high quality dance experiences for young people who have a real passion for performing and classes happen EVERY TERM.  Focusing on contemporary dance, the company offers classes at three levels: Juniors (7 – 11), Seniors (12 […]

  11. Worldbeaters: Spark! and Fireflies

      1. 27/09/24 - 7:30 pm-10 pm
      2. 28/09/24 - 8 pm-9 pm
    • Weymouth

    Activate Performing Arts is bringing two shows by the fabulous Worldbeaters to Weymouth this September as part of We Are Weymouth’s Dusk Til Dark event. Spark! is a high-energy, live music performance that will pop up in three Weymouth locations on the evening of the Friday 27 September. Worldbeaters will also be performing the world […]

  12. Remix Premix Activate events

    Activate Summer School

      1. 20/08/24 - 1:30 pm-5 pm
    • Weymouth

    UPDATE – THE ACTIVATE SUMMER SCHOOL IS NOW FULLY BOOKED – See you next time? Want to Make New Memories This Summer? Make sure you book Activate’s Summer School 2024 from the 20 – 24th August. Join us for 4 days of dance, drama and music workshops culminating in a fantastic performance.  Confirmed artists include: […]

  13. We Out Here

      1. 15/08/24
    • Wimborne St Giles

    Activate is returning to We Out Here, Gilles Peterson’s fabulous festival of world-class music and more in Wimborne St Giles for what will be the biggest and best family programme to date. If you’re thinking of going, then there are still 300 tickets available from the We Out Here website. It’s our second year being […]

  14. FLAVOURS nature and activity day

      1. 14/07/24
    • Durlston Country Park

    The next FLAVOURS nature and activity day is on the 14th July at Durlston Country Park in Swanage. There’s something for everyone from scenic coastal walks and a wild play trail to creative experiences. Spaces are limited so don’t miss out! The FLAVOURS project is all about finding ways for people from ethnic minority and […]

  15. DYD Free Workshops for Purbeck Arts Week 2024 at Furzebrook Village Hall, Warehem

      1. 30/05/24 - 10 am-12 pm
    • Wareham

    Join Emily Thompson-Smith for a morning of creativity, dance and fun as part of Purbeck Arts Week.  A chance for budding young movers to learn more about dance through creative exercises and games. Suitable for all. 10 am – 10.45 am: 3 – 6 years old 11 am – 12pm: 7 – 10 years old […]

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