DORSET residents are in for a packed year in 2018, with an array of different events happening on our doorsteps. Jonathan Nagioff and Holly Roach take a look at some of the events you need to put in your diary next year.

January:

1. Start 2018, by visiting Poole Library, as it hosts a very special and magical display; The Harry Potter: A History of Magic exhibition. The exhibition, which start on 8th January and finishes on February 28, will be showcasing the magic at the forefront of the Harry Potter stories, including potions and magical creatures.

2. Emmy and Grammy award winning Chris Rock will be on the stage at the BIC Windsor Hall on January 13 for his UK tour ‘Total Blackout’. With a career spanning more than 3 decades, this is not one to miss.

3. Superslam Wrestling, the number one professional Wresting outfit will bring an action-packed show to the Pavilion Theatre with six dates pencilled in for 2018, commencing on January 28.

4. Cricket fans, look no further. England cricketing legend, turned commentator Geoffrey Boycott is coming to the Pavilion Theatre on January 24 as broadcaster Jonathan Agnew grills the outspoken Yorkshireman, in a very intriguing matchup. The pair will be discussing all things Cricket, including the result of the current Ashes series down under, which will be completed before the start of the show. The show will raise money for the Professional Cricketers’ Association.

February:

5. Joel Dommett is swapping the jungle for Bournemouth next year. He’ll be making people laugh at the Bournemouth Pavilion Theatre on February 1 during his comedy show.

6. Love Island’s Ian Stirling is coming to the Lighthouse where you can see his actual face rather than just hear his voice on his brand new tour on February 6.

7. The X Factor live tour will be heading to the BIC on February 27 where the audience can see all of this years finalists and vote for their own winner of the show.

8. The Lighthouse Holistic Festival in Poole is Dorset’s health and wellbeing experience and it will be taking place on February 24 and 25 with lots of stalls, talks, performances and workshops.

9 Dippy on Tour – Dippy, the Natural History Museum’s beloved Diplodocus is on his way to Dorset and will be in Dorset County Museum from February 10 – May 18 next year for all the family to come and look at.

March:

10. Welsh rock band, Stereophonics are at the Bournemouth International Centre on March 5.

11. Dara O’Briain and his ‘Voice of Reason’ tour on March 7 and 8 will no doubt be an evening of laughter and fun at the Bournemouth Pavilion Theatre.

12. Russell Brand will appear at the BIC Windsor Hall on March 27 with his stand up tour ‘Re:Birth’.

13. One Direction singer Niall Horan is going solo as he embarks on his second tour entitled Flicker World Tour, in reference to the release of his latest album, ‘Flicker.’ He will sing at the BIC on March 26.

14. For the 9th year running, lager lovers are in luck as the Big Bournemouth Beer Festival is back at the BIC between March 30 and April 1. There will be a range of traditional real ales as well as novelty and seasonal beers available.

April:

15. Catch Strictly Come Dancing stars James and Ola kickstart April off, when they visit the Lighthouse in Poole on April 1. The couple will perform some of their magnificent dance routines, which have engrossed audiences on Strictly.

May:

16. Christchurch food and wine festival will be taking place on May 12 and 13 this year. The festival will be welcoming back The Apprentice winner Alana Spencer (Ridiculously Rich by Alana) as well as a number of other food and drink venders.

17. For the 11th year running, the world’s largest sport and music festival, Bournemouth 7s will take place over the May Bank Holiday weekend from May 25, to 27 at the Bournemouth Sports Club. Known as the sporting Glastonbury, the festival attracts over 30,000 people and over 40 live acts.

18. Basketball fans are in for a treat when the exhibition Basketball team Harlem Globetrotters demonstrate their skills at the BIC on May 27.

June:

19. Derren Brown’s show ‘Underground’ promises to be a jaw dropping experience at the Bournemouth Pavilion Theatre from June 11-13.

20. Cancer Research UK’s Race For Life will be held on Bournemouth seafront on June 10.

21. Legendary singer/songwriter Gary Barlow will headline two shows at the BIC between June 1 and 2.

22. Kevin and Karen Dance: The Live Tour is coming to the Bournemouth Pavilion Centre on June 6. The couple found fame on the popular BBC show Strictly Come Dancing and are now taking their moves around the country for audiences to enjoy.

23. Bournemouth Food and Drink Festival in the square from June 15-24 will feature a whole host of food and drink stalls sure to satisfy any cravings you may have.

24. Poole Harbour Boat Show will take place on June 8-10 next year with stalls lining up on the Quay and the harbour full of motorboats, yachts and RIBs for people for cast their eyes over.

25. The British Beach Polo Championships at Sandbanks will be returning next year on June 13 and 14.

July:

26. The British Beach Polo Championships to Sandbanks beach is on July 13 and 14.

27. 2018’s annual Bournemouth Pride festival, ‘Bourne Free’ is scheduled for July 13 to 15.

28. If you’re a strong enough swimmer, then the Bournemouth Pier to Pier Swim might well provide the perfect challenge for you on July 15.

29. The New Forest and Hampshire show, one of Hampshire’s social calendar highlights, will take place on July 24-26.

30. Swanage will be radiating to the sound and excitement of the Swanage Carnival - the premier carnival of the South - from July 28 to August 4.

August:

31. The Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra is performing at Proms in the Park at Meyrick Park on August 10 and 11.

32. Bournemouth Air Festival will return for its 11th year from August 30 to September 2.

33. The Great Dorset Steam Fair, the world’s largest heritage and cultural event, will return to the village of Tarrant Hinton for their 50th Anniversary show from August 23-27.

34. Renowned as the ‘Sporting Glastonbury’, August 2-5 is when Bestival festival will take place at the Lulworth Estate in Dorset. This will be the festival’s second year in Dorset having previously been on the Isle of Wight.

September:

35. The Bournemouth Arts by the Sea Festival returns from September 29 – October 6. Last year there were around 100,000 visitors.

36. The international triathlon is coming back to the beach in Bournemouth on September 9. The triathlon includes a sea swim, a bike ride and a run, all with different distances you can choose from depending on your age and ability.

37. 14 years after appearing on the first series of the X Factor, group G4 are still pleasing audiences and blowing people away with their harmonic vocals. They’ll be gracing people in Bournemouth with their voices when they appear at The Lighthouse in Poole on September 19.

October:

38. The 2018 Bournemouth Marathon Festival will take place on October 7 kicking off at 10am.

39. Cliff Richard will be at the BIC Windsor Hall on October 17 singing many of his classic and famous hits for the audience to enjoy.

November:

40. Joanna Lumley with her show ‘It’s All About Me!’ will be at the BIC Windsor Hall on November 3.

41. Europe’s first spectacular festive trail, with Christmas trees from around the world, is coming to Bournemouth on November 12 and will be there until January 5, 2019.

December:

42. British Soul icon Billy Ocean will reach Bournemouth as part of his huge UK tour on December 1 to perform some of his greatest hits at the Bournemouth International Centre.

43. Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons have announced Bournemouth is on the list of venues to visit during ‘The Farewell Tour’ where they will be singing a whole host of their classic hits like Walk Like A Man and Sherry. They’ll be at the Bournemouth International Centre on December 4.