Lyme Regis hosts several annual events that draw visitors from across the country and beyond.
Lifeboat Week stands as a beloved family favourite, deeply rooted in the town’s maritime heritage. This week-long celebration features traditional games, thrilling boat races, children’s entertainment and leads up to a wonderful fireworks display over Lyme Bay. The event raises vital funds for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution whilst providing fantastic entertainment for all ages. Visitors can witness rescue demonstrations, explore historical lifeboat equipment and meet the dedicated volunteers who keep our coastline safe.
The Lyme Regis Fossil Festival blends scientific education with family fun, making it perfect for both curious children and adults. Expert palaeontologists lead guided walks, whilst interactive exhibits and workshops reveal the secrets of the Jurassic Coast. Families can participate in fossil preparation workshops, attend fascinating lectures and even meet real dinosaur experts. This unique event celebrates the town’s incredible geological heritage whilst inspiring the next generation of fossil hunters and scientists.
The Lyme Regis Regatta & Carnival Week is an annual event – this year it starts on Friday 1 August to Saturday 9 August 2025, bringing together thrilling races, seaside spectacle, and charming community traditions. The week unfolds with a spectacular fireworks display over the historic Cobb at 21:30 on Friday 1 August, lighting up the harbour and setting the scene for a joyful and bustling festival atmosphere. Over the weekend, the Lyme Regis Sailing Club will host their fleet races—starting each day at 11:00 on 2 and 3 August—while the town comes alive with a torchlight procession and an array of family-friendly entertainment.
Throughout the week, the town pulses with energy from events like wacky wheelbarrow races, duck races, free children’s boat rides, and creative competitions for all ages. Every event aims not just to entertain but also to raise funds for local charities—reflecting Lyme Regis’s strong community spirit. The grand finale, a colorful carnival procession, will wind its way through the streets and along the seafront on Saturday 9 August at 20:00.
