The Purbeck Pirate Festival is returning for its second year at venues in Swanage from Friday, June 30, to Sunday, July 2. Members of the public will be able to climb aboard the frigate Shtandart and experience how it feels to stand on the deck of a frigate from 1703. There will be pirates, various stalls, music and more. Funds for the event will go towards the ‘Save the Pier’ appeal and the Purbeck Admiral Nurse Appeal.

Bourne Free festival returns this weekend. The theme for this year’s parade is superheroes. On Friday, a family fun night will take place in the Triangle, with a free, open air screening of The Incredibles. Then on Saturday starting at 11am, dozens of floats will parade from East Overcliff Drive, making their way through the town centre towards the Triangle. There will also be a Sunday service, led by the Metropolitan Community Church at the Bourne Free stage in the Triangle, followed by coffee and cake at Flirt.

The Vintage Shake & Stir Festival takes place in Southbourne until Sunday with music, dancing, classic cars, food and drink stalls.

Read more: Popular vintage festival to return (and this time the high street will be closed off for it)

A summer fair is taking place at Christchurch Infant School in Addiscombe Road, Christchurch, on Saturday, July 1 from 11am to 1.30pm, with stalls including a barbecue, BH Live football, a Nerf game, cuddly toy shy, adult and children’s tombola, raffle with a top prize of £100, books, toys and lucky dip.

A total of 24 gardens will open in aid of Wimborne in Bloom on Sunday, between 11am and 5pm. Visitors will pay £6 at the first garden visited. For more information, visit the tourist information centre or the library.

Help record all of the wildlife at Upton Country Park during a Bioblitz on Saturday. Meet in the Walled Garden between 10am and 2pm. The event is free. All ages welcome. Children’s activities include pond dipping, bird walk, dragonfly survey, butterfly bingo and wildflower surveys.

Christchurch Annual Festival is taking place at Christchurch Quay from Friday, June 30 until Sunday, July 2, with family fun, stalls, music and surprises.

There is a Dorset Bump to Baby Show for those parents expecting or have just had babies at the Riviera Hotel on Burnaby Road on July 1 from 10.30am until 4.30pm. The event is organised by Rock the Bump pregnant belly casting and Light Touch Massage Therapy in aid of Spring Support. Tickets are £3

Friends of Highcliffe St Mark Primary School are hosting a Summer Fayre from 11am to 1.30pm on Saturday, July 1 with games, a grand raffle, barbecue, plant sale, displays and entertainment. Entry is 50p for adults, free for children, all welcome.

The Priory hosts a summer fete on Saturday, July 1, at the Priory House Gardens from 11am-3.30pm. Admission costs 50p for adults, children free.

Saddle up for the Macmillan Dorset Bike Ride this Sunday. There is a choice of six circular routes along Dorset's lanes to choose from, with a 10 mile ride to a challenging 100 mile ride. To enter, visit macmillanbikeride.co.uk or call 01202 601705

Bournemouth’s first festival of literature and illustration for children takes place at Talbot Heath School this weekend from 2 - 5pm with doors opening at 1.30pm. Spellbound – ‘A Festival of Literature and Illustration for Children and Young Adults’ has a range of workshops that will inspire a love of reading, writing and illustration. The authors and illustrators attending include ‘Mr Gumm’ and Andy Stanton, Martin Brown for ‘Horrible Histories’, Dr James Cole of ‘Spellbound’ and Melinda Salisbury, author of ‘The Sin eaters’ series. Tickets are children £10 with accompany adult free, and all children must be accompanied by an adult. Unaccompanied adults £10. For full programme visit talbotheath.org