DORSET folk musician Alastair Braidwood is leading several folk events in Dorchester over the weekend 9th to 11th January, starting with an evening of European folk dancing at the Brownsword Hall at Poundbury on Friday from 7pm.

The weekend is a celebration of folk music and traditional customs with something for everyone, whatever their age or interest, from a special dance for young families to songs and poems in a micropub.

Friday evening will see the first meeting of 2026 for EuroBal Wessex, a group of like-minded musicians and dancers who share a love of European styles of dance and music. Accompanied by a live scratch band, which welcomes musicians on any instrument, the basic steps for the dances are taught in a special workshop from 7pm before the main Bal gets underway at 8pm.

There are two Big Dorset Midwinter Ceilidhs on Saturday, featuring the band of the New Hardy Players, Tatterdemalion, playing traditional tunes for dancing to drive away winter blues. This year, they are trying a new venue with a bigger capacity: the Thomas Hardye School Theatre.

In the early evening there will be the usual Kiddies’ Keilidh, an hour-long session with fun dances especially chosen for those with little legs to keep up with. £5 per person, and each child must bring an adult. The main ceilidh will begin from 7.30pm – all are welcome to enjoy dancing and companionship in the dark winter evenings, and there’s no need to bring a partner. All dances will be taught by expert caller Angela Laycock.

On Sunday afternoon the ancient tradition of wassailing comes to Poundbury, with the orchard of the community farm being stirred into life and encouraged to produce a good crop this year. With appearances from Frome Valley Morris and the new Bard of Dorchester, Rebecca Danicic, the afternoon ends with apple-based refreshments. Meet at 2.30pm in the orchard, parking by Sunny Days Nursery. Donations to the farm welcome.

To round off the weekend, there is, as always, the Convivial Rabbit weekly folk session on Sunday evening, led by Alastair. Anything goes, with local performers bringing songs, tunes, poems and stories to share and enjoy, while all enjoy the excellent refreshments served from behind the bar. Folky folk gather from 7.30pm.

Pictured: Tatterdemalion; Photograph by Dorset Morri’arty