1. Folk fans will be flocking to the Purbeck Valley Folk Festival which is in full swing this weekend. Headline acts including the 11-piece Afro Celt Sound System on Saturday night followed by Irish chanteuse Cara Dillon and her six-piece band on Sunday. Now in its 11th year, the four day festival is known for its laid-back afternoon Songwriter Circle which this year includes Chris Difford of Squeeze.

2. Christchurch Carnival gets under way this weekend with fun and fireworks on the Quay from 10am to 10pm on Saturday. The parade starts at 1pm on Sunday at Two Riversmeet Leisure Centre and then heads to Bridge Street, Castle Street, up high street towards Fountain roundabout, down Sopers Lane, St Margaret’s Avenue, Wick Lane and finishing on The Quomps. There will be fun on the Quay between 11am and 4pm including games, rides, live music, kids entertainment, a beer tent and cream teas.

3. The third annual Canford Summer Fair takes place this weekend in the grounds of Canford School at Canford Magna offering 100 stands selling crafts, gourmet produce, hot street food, plants, garden furniture and accessories from 10am until 5 pm on both Saturday and Sunday.

Enjoy lunch at the street food picnic area and wash it down with a local beer, a refreshing gin and tonic from the Fordington Gin bar, or wine, Pimms or Prosecco. There will be entertainment areas for both children and adults running throughout both days.

New features this year include gardener’s Q&A sessions; a health and wellness area; larger children’s entertainment area and a static falconry display. Entry £3 for adults, £2.50 for concessions and free entry for under-16s. Free parking on site.

4. The Friday night fireworks in Bournemouth are due to go ahead at 10pm. The free weekly spectacle on the seafront, which is organised by Bournemouth Tourism, was called off last week due to safety concerns following high wind weather warnings.

Update: tonight's fireworks have been cancelled due to high winds and heavy rain 

5. Join the rangers and a host of local experts for the Stour Valley Bioblitz at Kingfisher Barn Visitor Centre in Muscliff on Sunday. See how many plant and animal species you can record. Starts at 6am with a bird walk. For details of all the events during the day, see visitstourvalley.co.uk

6. Branksome Chine Surf Life Saving Club has been invited by Surf Life Saving GB to host the SLSGB Surf Life Saving Championships for 2019 and 2020. This is the first time in the event history that a club outside of Devon or Cornwall has been given this opportunity to host the entire event. The National Championships regularly attracts over 1500 competitors across age groups ranging from 8-80 and represents a great opportunity for Branksome club and the wider community.

7. Why not practise your dance moves this weekend at Pavilion Dance South West in Westover Road, Bournemouth with the Musical Theatre Dancing Terraces? Dancing Terraces are designed for people of all ages. Come and join in or watch the dance teachers as they lead the crowds through the moves in the evening sun on Saturday from 7pm to 9pm. Organisers say: “Absolutely no experience necessary – come and have some fun.”