Extraordinary events in extraordinary places
Inside Out Dorset is an award-winning international outdoor arts festival that takes place across the county every two years. At the heart of what we do is our belief that the performing arts should be accessible for all – no matter what your experience or background. Therefore, all of Inside Out Dorset is free to attend.
We bring live performance to unexpected places – town centres, village squares, beaches and hilltops – for everyone to enjoy.
Inside Out Dorset is the only outdoor festival in the UK that works in both urban and rural outdoor locations across a whole county.
We celebrate Dorset and aim to promote our natural landscape and sense of place. Some of Dorset’s most remarkable urban and rural spots are transformed with experiences that touch hearts and minds like nothing else.
The next Inside Out Dorset festival will take place from 12-21 September 2025.
Highlights from 2023
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Over 80 internationally renowned artists, from 10 different countries across Europe, took part in Inside Out Dorset 2023.
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33,000 visits were made in 10 days
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97% of audiences rated their whole experience of the festival as ‘very good’ and ‘good’.
Our next IOD Festival takes place in September 2025
Planning is underway for our 2025 festival – it’s set to be even more exciting and ambitious.
You can expect cutting edge installations and thought-provoking performances in the most remarkable urban and rural spots. Click the link below to join our mailing list and be the first to hear about events. Enjoy all of our locations being transformed by our vibrant programme.
Feeling inspired
Volunteers are at the heart of the festival, it simply would not exist without them. Find out more today and register your interest in volunteering at our 2025 festival.
Touching hearts and minds and inspiring since 2007
Inside Out Dorset is an outdoor international festival of extraordinary events in extraordinary places that takes place across sites in Dorset. Since 2007, we’ve brought live performance to unexpected places – town centres, village squares, beaches and hilltops – for everyone to enjoy.
Latest Inside Out Dorset News
Go behind the scenes and learn more about our outdoor arts festival
Activate wins silver at Dorset Tourism Awards
Our Inside Out Dorset 2023 festival takes silver in the Tourism Event / Festival of the Year category.
Worldbeaters Return to Dusk Til Dark
The world class illuminated music and street dance theatre, Worldbeaters, will be arriving in Weymouth in late September to illuminate…
Inside Out Dorset 2023 dazzles audiences across the region
Thousands experience unique performances and installations at five remarkable Dorset locations.
Inside Out Dorset Family Activity Pack
A fun free activity pack with things to try at home.
Soup and a Story: meeting the artists
Meeting the recently-commissioned artists who will be performing at Bere Regis during Inside Out Dorset. Accompanied by a specifically-designed soup,…
Look out for puppets in Weymouth
Young people get creative making puppets inspired by Inside Out Dorset performance.
Stay up to date
Sign up to our News and Events Bulletin and receive the latest information about Inside Out Dorset.
Support Us
Activate is a charity and we produce the Inside Out Dorset festival. Without you, the work we do connecting communities, breaking down barriers and celebrating our landscape is not possible. To make sure Inside Out Dorset continues, please consider making a donation.