1. Bring your family down for a free evening of fun and entertainment at the Ageas Family Night on Friday as part of the weekend’s Bourne Free celebrations and help raise funds for The Dorset Children’s Foundation. Gates open at 5pm. Entry is free. There will be a screening of the animated movie Inside Out (U) from 5.15pm, plus free popcorn, candy floss, face painting and music by Fire Radio.

2. The Bourne Free parade starts at 11am on Saturday at East Cliff and finishes in The Triangle to celebrate equality and diversity in the Bournemouth community. There will also be adult entertainment from 12noon in The Triangle Arena outside Bournemouth library with drag artists, tribute acts and local entertainers.

3. The British Beach Polo Championships, the biggest beach polo event in the world, returns to Sandbanks from Friday to Saturday for its 11th year. There will also be a ‘SandScrum’, five-a-side beach rugby in association with Bournemouth Rugby Club. This year there is the Pure Polo event on the Friday night with the House & Garage Orchestra. On the final evening, The Sandpolo Ocean Party will feature DJ’s Nick Grimshaw (Radio 1), TJ Byham and Jay Welch.

4. For the third year running, 5,000 revellers will gather for Dorset’s biggest beach festival SandFest on Sunday from 12noon to 10pm at Sandbanks with fully stocked bars, a VIP area and world class DJs and acts such as Chase & Status and emerging urban superstar Yxng Bane.

5. Celebrate all things retro on the Quay as Poole Goes Vintage returns to town on Sunday from 11am to 7pm with a celebration of 1940s-60s music, fashion, memorabilia, entertainment and transport for a feel-good festival the whole family will enjoy. Live music includes The Aphrodites a glamorous 40s girl duo.

6. Summer Live is a free event for all ages in The Square with live music every day from July 12 to August 26 (from 5pm week days/from 12pm weekends). Visit the huts and watch the artists in action as they paint, draw and create face painting on most days (for a small fee). There is also an outdoor ‘Garden Bar’ plus BBQ. Other huts include Henna body art, beach themed jewellery and the delicious sweet selection.#

7. Pier to Pier, the biggest charity swim in aid of the British Heart Foundation, is back for 2019. Join thousands of other supporters for the 1.4 mile open water challenge from Bournemouth Pier to Boscombe Pier on Sunday.

And new for this year there is also sunset Pier to Pier swim from 4.30pm to 8.30pm on Saturday.

8. Run for Sparkle is a celebration of fitness, fun and fizz on Sunday from 10am to 12 noon. Enjoy the benefits of exercise with the reward of a cold glass of Prosecco at the finish line (non-alcoholic alternatives available too!)

9. Sopley Festival on Saturday from 12 noon to 5pm is a great countryside event which has grown in size and popularity over the past few years, but still retains an intimate and family friendly atmosphere. You can expect to see dogs, crafts, silly sports, diverse stalls, BBQ, refreshments, classic vehicles, entertainment and more.

10. The Lytchett Minster and Upton Carnival takes place from 12noon to 6pm on Saturday. The parade will leave Factory Road at 1pm and finish at the rec just after 2pm where there will be a fair ground, food and drink stalls, activities, live music, performances and many trade and voluntary/charity stalls.

11. Swing along to Swanage for the town’s annual jazz festival featuring more than 40 bands performing a wide variety of jazz on Saturday and Sunday.