In 2017 Weymouth and Portland will host over 250 major events and festivals, welcoming over a million event visitors and raising over £275,000 for many local and national charities.
The events programme will include an abundance of colourful community fetes and fairs, prestigious world and national sailing championships, live music, art, sports championships and many seasonal favourites.
The borough’s iconic events are back in 2017 including the Wessex Folk Festival, Armed Forces Celebrations and Out Loud Music festival in June, Pommery Dorset Seafood Festival in July, Weymouth Carnival and International Fireworks in August, Waterfest in September, Lions Beach Motocross in October and Seafront Guy Fawkes Celebrations in November.
Big sporting events will once again feature strongly throughout the year, including one of the world’s top Ironman 70.3 Triathlons. The event promises to attract up to 3,000 entries and feature the popular sea swim, bike ride and run.
The Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy has a busy year ahead with a number of high-profile sailing championships including the ISAF Sailing World Cup, 505 World Sailing and International Moth taking place.
Cllr Jason Osborne, Weymouth & Portland Borough Council’s Tourism and Culture Briefholder, said:
“This year’s programme is again packed full of great events and activities offering something for everyone. Many of our seasonal favourites are joined by some fantastic new events, making the programme bigger and better than ever.
“I’d like to encourage residents to come and take full advantage of this impressive community-based events programme which continues to entertain and inspire as well as raise money for a range of charitable causes.”
Nigel Reed, Weymouth BID Manager, said:
“The Events programme for Weymouth & Portland really shows a wide variety of what is on offer throughout the year. Events and Festivals are recognised as a major driver to bring visitors to the area and that people visit a number of times. The Bids aim has always been to provide events that reach a wider audience and new visitors and each year the Events Calendar gets bigger which is good news for our Tourism when competing with other destinations.”
Phil Say, General Manager at Weymouth Pavilion, said:
“The rejuvenated Weymouth Pavilion is proud to be acknowledged as the natural hub for events entertainment and Culture in Weymouth, Portland and West Dorset. The excellent Pavilion team provide a quality programme if show’s and community functions. Throughout the year we are proud to welcome tens of thousands of visitors and provide an inspirational venue for the immense local singing dancing and theatrical talent.”
For a full listing of 2017 Weymouth and Portland events or a downloadable events programme, go to visit-dorset.com.
Copies of the events programme are also available from Weymouth Pavilion.
