Festival Cup
Start at the Round Table Tent to buy your official 2026 festival cup before visiting the drinks tents.
Dorchester - 2026 edition
Dorchester Cider Festival
Your pocket guide to the 2026 line-up, cider village, food, site map, and festival essentials.
Date
Saturday 15 August 2026
Time
14:00-22:00
Entry
Free entry and music
Your festival guide
Cider, food and live music in Borough Gardens.
The 11th annual Dorchester Cider Festival returns to Borough Gardens for a family-friendly afternoon and evening of regional cider, local food, and live music. Entry to the park and live music is free. All festival profits are distributed to local causes by Dorchester Round Table.
Where to find us
Borough Gardens
Cornwall Road, Dorchester, Dorset DT1 1RE
Open directionsCider Village
Ten cider makers and Barnova cocktails, with the festival beer bar directly behind the Round Table Tent.
Live Music
Nine live sets across the Main Stage and Acoustic Stage from 14:00 until 22:00.
Festival schedule
Two stages, one full day.
Filter the full running order, then add any set straight to your calendar.
14:00
until 14:50
Main Stage
Fluke
Opening set on the Main Stage.
14:55
until 15:25
Acoustic Stage
Drew Allen
Afternoon set on the Acoustic Stage.
15:30
until 16:30
Main Stage
Tristan Hutton
Afternoon set on the Main Stage.
16:30
until 17:00
Acoustic Stage
Kipper
Afternoon set on the Acoustic Stage.
17:00
until 18:00
Main Stage
Tabula Fire
Late-afternoon set on the Main Stage.
18:00
until 18:30
Acoustic Stage
Chris Davies
Early-evening set on the Acoustic Stage.
18:30
until 20:00
Main Stage
Ironhide
Evening set on the Main Stage.
20:00
until 20:30
Acoustic Stage
Eva Grant
Evening set on the Acoustic Stage.
20:30
until 22:00
Main Stage
Stillyano
Headline set closing the Main Stage.
Festival map
Find your way around.
Filter the busy festival site by category, then select any marker for more details and walking directions.
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Food and drink
Meet the makers.
Ten cider makers, festival cocktails and local food vendors - all in one place.
Cider makers
Cranborne Chase Cider
Fourth-generation family-farm cidery at Minchington, making still and sparkling ciders with apples from its farm and Dorset orchards.
Visit websiteDorset Star Cider
Award-winning cider made by traditional methods from the family-owned star-shaped orchard at Chalmington, just outside Dorchester.
Visit websiteTwisted Cider
Dorset cider maker based near Sherborne, producing still, sparkling and flavoured ciders from carefully selected cider apples.
Visit websiteBridge Farm Artisan Cider
Award-winning artisan cider made from apples gathered within 20 miles of Bridge Farm and pressed using a traditional rack-and-cloth press.
Visit websiteWeymouth Cider Company
A Weymouth-founded cider maker with deep local roots and a familiar presence at Dorset events and festivals.
Visit websiteNoddy's Cider
Dorset micro-cidery that began in Weymouth and now makes its cider at Nether Cerne using local Dorset apples rather than concentrate.
Visit websiteDorset Nectar
Family-run organic cider farm near Bridport, crafting a broad range of certified-organic ciders from its own West Dorset orchard.
Visit websiteIsaac Cider
Family cider from a third-generation farm near Bridport, made with apples grown in an orchard planted by the family in 1972.
Visit websiteLaycock Cider
Award-winning natural cider, hand-pressed on the Dorset border using fruit from the maker's own chemical-free orchard.
Visit websiteSandford Orchards
Independent family cidery in Crediton, making fresh-juice Devon cider at Britain's oldest working cider mill.
Visit websiteCocktails
Barnova
Experienced mobile event-bar team serving creative cocktails made with quality ingredients and locally sourced products where possible.
Visit websiteFood vendors
Coffee Go Go
Freshly made coffee and hot drinks from a mobile festival coffee van.
Bridge Farm Crisps
Crisps and savoury snacks for an easy festival bite.
Fire in the Shire
Dorset-based vegan caterers serving freshly cooked plant-based pizza at festivals across the South West.
Vendor websiteTaste of Thailand
Authentic Thai street food cooked fresh for Dorset events by third-generation Thai chef Manaow Prasatthong.
Vendor websitePosh Pigs
Dorchester family farmers serving hog roast and locally sourced Dorset meats.
Vendor websiteWild Meats
Hot festival food featuring wild and speciality meats.
Mad Mitch Ice Cream
Local family-run Dorset ice-cream van serving Jersey Dairy whippy, slush, lollies and cold drinks.
Vendor websiteFestival essentials
Good to know before you arrive.
Think 25
A Think 25 policy will be enforced for all alcohol sales. Please bring suitable photographic identification.
Respect the Park
Please use the extra bins provided and help maintain Borough Gardens' Green Flag status.
Dogs Welcome
Dogs are welcome but must be kept on leads and under control throughout the event.
Questions answered
Festival FAQs.
When is the festival?
Dorchester Cider Festival takes place on Saturday 15 August 2026. The festival and live music run from 14:00 until 22:00.
Where is the festival?
The festival takes place in Borough Gardens, Cornwall Road, Dorchester, Dorset DT1 1RE.
Is there an entry fee?
Entry to Borough Gardens and the live music is free. An official 2026 festival cup must be purchased at the event for drinks bought within the cider village.
Where can I buy my festival cup?
Festival cups are available from the Round Table Tent. Please purchase your cup before visiting the cider stands.
Are there non-cider drink options?
Yes. The festival beer bar is directly behind the Round Table Tent, and Barnova will be serving cocktails.
Can I bring my dog?
Yes, but dogs must be kept on leads and under control throughout the event.
Will extra bins be provided?
Yes. Please use the additional bins to help keep Borough Gardens clean and maintain its Green Flag status.