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Summer nights just got a little bit more dazzling with these FREE summer fireworks displays in Dorset…
Time to add some sparkle to your Dorset holiday! Throughout summer, several of Dorset’s biggest seaside towns host free fireworks nights. Many of them are fired over the water for an extra-special experience. Here’s our guide to whats on, with all the details you need to plan your trip…
Top Tip: We recommend bringing a blanket or camping chairs to sit on. It can get cooler after dark, especially on the seafront, so bring some extra layers to wrap up warm!
Dorset Summer Fireworks 2025
A quick overview to get you started! We’ve shared the full details for each event further down the page, including timings, best car parks, and the best places to view.
- Weymouth Beach: Every Monday night in August.
- Poole Quay: Every Thursday Night in August.
- Bournemouth Beach: Every Friday Night in August.
- Wareham Quay: Every Wednesday Night in August.
- Lyme Regis Regatta and Carnival: 1 August.
- West Bay (Bridport Carnival): 17 August.
- Christchurch Carnival: 16 August.
Summer Fireworks Displays in Dorset: Full Details
FYI: Fireworks are weather-dependent, so timings and other details are subject to change. Check the social media pages for each event before attending.
Weymouth Beach
Dates: Every Monday (28 July and 4, 11, 18, 25 August 2025)
Time: 9:30pm (approx 15 minutes)
Best Parking: Swannery Car Park (approx 10 minutes walk from the beach) or the Weymouth park and ride
More Info
You can see the fireworks from anywhere along Weymouth seafront, although the best spot is the section of beach between the Jubilee Clock and the Alexandra Gardens. There’s also a small funfair on the beach and rides along the esplanade.
Good to know: There are “lower noise” fireworks on the 11th August
Poole Quay
Dates: Every Thursday (31 July and 7, 14, 21 and 28 August 2025)
Time: 10pm (approx 10 mins)
Best Parking: Dolphin Shopping Centre or Harbourside Park
(Poole Quay multistory car park gets very busy so leaving after the fireworks takes a long time).
More Info
There’s also free entertainment, including live music (from 7pm), street entertainment, family-friendly activities and a few rides. The best spot to watch is on the quayside near the Jolly Sailor or Lord Nelson pubs.
Bournemouth Beach
Dates: Every Friday (25 July and 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 August 2025)
Time: 10pm
Best Parking: Bath Road South, Bath Hill, and Beacon Road.
More Info
You can watch the fireworks from anywhere along Bournemouth seafront – but the best spot is east of Bournemouth Pier.
Wareham Quay
Dates: Every Wednesday (6, 13, 20 and 27 August 2025).
Time: 10pm (approx 15 minutes)
Best Parking: The town car parks are small and fill up fast, so arrive early to avoid disappointment. The biggest is Streche Road car park (BH20 4PB).
More Info
There’s a FREE, family-friendly summer event on the picturesque quay in Wareham every Wednesday in August. The event starts from 6:30pm, with entertainment, live music, rides, and more – and there’s a different theme each week (click here for more info).
Lyme Regis Regatta and Carnival
Dates: 1 August 2025
Time: 9:30pm
Best Parking: Temporary carpark at St Andrews Meadow – Haye Lane (DT7 3LR) or the Lyme Regis Park & Ride on Charmouth Road.
More Info
The week-long Lyme Regis Regatta and Carnival Week kicks off with a fantastic fireworks display. You can watch the fireworks from anywhere along the seafront in Lyme Regis (the Sandy Beach is the best spot). There are also good views from Langmoor and Lister Gardens.
Bridport Carnival and Torchlight Procession, West Bay
Dates: Sunday 17 August 2025
Time: Procession at 9pm, fireworks at 10pm
Best Parking: South Street car park in Bridport (if joining the procession) or West Bay Road Car Park (if going straight to East Beach).
More Info
On the final day of Bridport Carnival, there’s a Torchlight Procession with around 1500 flaming torches carried from Bridport to West Bay, followed by a fireworks display on East Beach. There will also be entertainment on East Beach from 6.30pm, including live music, a bonfire, food stalls and a bar.
Join The Procession: You can buy torches from 6:30pm in Bucky Doo Square in the centre of Bridport. The procession leaves at 9pm sharp. If you join in, you can take a bus back to Bridport after the fireworks from 10:15pm (£1, under 10s free).
Christchurch Carnival
Dates: Saturday 16 August 2025
Time: 9:30pm
Where: Christchurch Quay
Best Parking: Mayors Mead and Priory car parks are closest to the quay but get busy, Wick Lane and Saxon Square car parks are much larger.
More Info
Activities and entertainment on Christchurch Quay all day, with live music, a funfair, activities, bike displays, food stalls and more. The headline act is on the main stage at 8pm, followed by the fireworks display.
If you know of any more summer fireworks displays in Dorset, share the details in the comments below!
