There is a packed year ahead for Dorset residents in 2016, with a whole host of local events happening throughout the year.

Get out your new diary and make a note of these events that you won't want to miss...

Bournemouth Echo: Fun and frolicks on Poole Quay at the annual Bath Tub Race

January

1. Poole's annual Bath Tub Race returns to see in 2016. Head to the quayside on New Year's Day from 10.30am to cheer on the crazy crews as they take to their specially constructed bathtub vessels for the charity race organised by The Blue Boar.

2. Cinderella on Ice skates into the Pavilion Theatre between January 14 and 17

3. Horrible Histories bring not one but two shows to the BIC between January 20 and 23.

4. The Libertines bring their seven date arena tour to the BIC on January 29

5. Peter Kay will be partying at the BIC on January 30 with a three hour dance-a-thon that will raise money for Cancer Research UK.

6. The Lighthouse Holistic Festival at Poole's Lighthouse will be taking place on January 30-31. There will be stands, workshops and performances celebrating health and well-being. Visit the website for more details.

February

7. Magician Dynamo (real name Steven Frayne) will be embarking on his first ever live tour, which will visit the BIC from February 10-14. Fans will have the opportunity to see his magic skills up close and personal in what promises to be a unique live show.

Bournemouth Echo: Dynamo in action                                   picture credit Ian West/PA Wire

8. Kodo's One Earth Tour comes to Lighthouse on February 20 and is set to take audiences on a journey through Japanese culture.

9. William Shakespeare's Twelfth Night will be given a twist courtesy of AUB students at Lighthouse between February 25 and 27

10. The 60th anniversary production of Agatha Christie's The Mousetrap visits Lighthouse between February 29 and March 5, starring Louise Jameson. 

March

11. Wet Wet Wet bring their The Big Picture tour to the BIC on March 2. The tour coincides with the 20th anniversary of the release of their number one album, Picture This, which featured hits Love is All Around and Julia Says. 

12. M People's Heath Small will perform two concerts at the Regent Centre in Christchurch on March 13 and 14

13.  Writer, broadcaster and entertainer Pam Ayres comes to the Regent Centre on March 22. 

April

14. One of last year's hottest acts, Year and Years will be performing at the BIC on April 4. 

15. Eighties pop icon and multi-million selling artist Rick Astley comes to the Bournemouth Pavilion Theatre on April 10.

Bournemouth Echo: FLYING HIGH: Noel Gallagher on his first tour as a solo artist

16. The month closes with Britpop icon and former Oasis star Noel Gallagher and his High Flying Birds at the BIC on April 30

May 

17. Calling all foodies, mark May 7 and 8 in your diary as the dates for the 2016 Christchurch Food and Wine Festival.

18. The world's largest sport and music festival, Bournemouth 7s, takes place May 27 to 29. Launched in 2008, the Festival hosts over 300 teams in an action packed weekend full of Rugby 7s, Netball 7s, Hockey 7s and Dodgeball.

19. Free live music, entertainment and fireworks - not forgetting the boats and water-based activities - are just some of the highlights visitors can expect at the second Poole Harbour Boat Show, which will take place from May 20 to 22 this year.

June 

20. The hugely popular Wheels Festival is set to be be rolling back into Bournemouth for its third year, from June 3 to 5.

Bournemouth Echo: BMX bikes, skateboards and scooters – Bournemouth Wheels Festival welcomes top UK talent

21. The ten-day Bournemouth Food and Drink Festival starts on June 17, celebrating cuisines from across the world. 

July

22. The Asahi British Beach Polo Championships to Sandbanks beach on July 8 and 9 this year, when international beach polo teams will compete for the championship title.

23. The New Forest & Hampshire Show, which takes place from July 26 to 28 in 2016, is one of the highlights of the Hampshire social calendar.

24. The Bournemouth Pier to Pier will see hundreds take to the water once again on Sunday, July 10 to raise money for the British Heart Foundation. 

August 

25. There's be a party atmosphere in Swanage from July 30 to August 6, when the 'premier carnival on the south coast' comes to town.

26. It will be eyes to the skies once again in August as the Bournemouth Air Festival returns from August 18 to 21. Highlights for 2016, the ninth year of the event, have yet to be confirmed, but the festival will no doubt feature a huge range of attractions on land, sea and air, including breathtaking aerial displays, demos from the Armed Forces, a range of traders and food and drink stalls along the seafront as well as the popular Night Air entertainment.

Bournemouth Echo: Great Dorset Steam Fair gets under way at Tarrant Hinton next week

27. If you're looking for an excellent fun and action packed day out for all the family, you'll love the Great Dorset Steam Fair, which is being held once again at its Tarrant Hinton home, near Blandford, from August 25 to 29.

September

28. There will be a new range of walks for all ages and abilities at this year's Swanage and Purbeck Walking Festival from September 17 to 26. The Isle of Purbeck is said to be a walker's paradise.

October 

29. The 2016 Bournemouth Marathon Festival is set to take place on October 1 and 2, bringing many distances together in one unique festival of running. 

30. Bournemouth Arts by the Sea Festival returns for its sixth year from October 9 to 18, with days of events, installations and art experiences for visitors to enjoy.

November

31. Bournemouth’s Town Centre will be embracing the Christmas spirit with their annual Christmas Market featuring stalls, animated figures, decorations, and festive events all in one place.

Bournemouth Echo: Thousands turn out for hail-hit White Christmas Dip at Boscombe beach

December

32. It will be the ninth annual White Christmas Dip at Boscombe Pier on Christmas Day, held in aid of Christchurch Hospital's Macmillan Unit. The first time this took place, there were eight participants. Now, hundreds of people head to the sea to raise thousands of pounds for the charity.