Music By The Lake brings the UK's best tribute acts to Dorchester, with all proceeds going to Weldmar Hospicecare. 

Kids go free, it's free to park, there's great food and drink on offer, or you can bring a picnic!

Our 2024 show is bigger and better than ever, with three superb tribute acts per show! Don't forget that if you can't make up your mind, you can buy full weekend tickets which entitle you to priority access to the show.

You can purchase full weekend tickets in two instalments - click here to find out more.

We start our weekend with the ultimate girls' night out! Believe it or not, 2024 marks thirty years since the formation of the Spice Girls, so we're bringing some Posh, Sporty, Baby, Scary and Ginger attitude to Music By The Lake! We also have our amazing Pink tribute, getting the party started with anthems including So What, Don't Let Me Get Me, and Raise Your Glass. And, we'll all be singing Angels, Feel, Let Me Entertain You, and more with one of the UK's leading Robbie Williams' tribute stars!

Gates open at 5pm, and the show starts at 6pm.

It's pop royalty on Saturday night, headlined by our superb Abba tribute! Classic hit after classic hit, from Thank You For The Music to Dancing Queen to Waterloo, and so many more. We also bring the 80s to Dorchester Showground, with the timeless anthems of Duran Duran, including Girls on Film, Rio, Is There Something I Should Know, and The Reflex; plus the one and only queen of pop - Madonna! You'll be getting Into The Groove, dancing to Like a Virgin, Material Girl, Vogue, and more!

Gates open at 5pm, and the show starts at 6pm.

You can't get more classy than our Sunday line up, with the very best tributes to three of the most legendary names in music! Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder, and Lionel Richie are all among the most iconic recording stars of all time, starting their careers as part of the phenomenon that was Motown. They need no introduction!

Gates open at 12pm, and the show starts at 1pm.

** ALL PICNIC BOXES, CHAIRS, AND MOTORHOME PITCHES MUST BE BOOKED BY MONDAY 24TH JUNE **

Luxury Picnic Boxes

How about treating yourself to an incredible spread to enjoy before the show? You can order a Luxury Picnic Box from our store or when you purchase your ticket - details below!

Rent a Chair

No need to carry your own chair from home! You can reserve your very own seat from our online store or when you book your ticket, which you can pick up at the gate on your way in.

Motorhomes and Campervans

We are delighted to offer pitches for motorhomes and campervans on Friday night and Saturday night. Shower and toilet facilities will be available (with a small charge for showers), and booking a pitch entitles you to priority access to the show. Book your pitch from our online store or when you buy your tickets. Please see full terms and conditions for booking pitches below.

Book any of these new additions when you buy your ticket or in our online store.

You won't go hungry or thirsty at Music By The Lake, with some amazing food options available if you don't fancy packing your own picnic.

Our Luxury Picnic Boxes can be pre-ordered with your ticket or from our store , with the choice of a Meaty Box or Veggie Box.

The Meaty Box includes Smoked Bacon and Cheese Quiche; Pork and Sesame Sausage Rolls with Tomato Relish; Pork Pie with Piccalilli; Satay Chicken; Marinated Olives; Greek Salad; Coronation Chicken Wrap; Wiltshire Ham and Cheddar Pin Wheels

The Veggie Box includes Cheddar and Broccoli Quiche; Vegan Sausage and Herb Roll with Tomato Relish; Butternut Squash and Red Pepper Frittata; Cheese and Pesto Straws; Marinated Olives; Greek Salad; Tomato and Basil Pinwheels; Rainbow Veggie Wrap

We're absolutely delighted to welcome back Dorchester based Basilico, serving delicious, authentic, sourdough pizza. Booze Box will be providing a full bar throughout the weekend, and Weldmar's own first class catering team will also be serving up an array of mouth watering hot food and drinks.

Are you following Music By The Lake on Facebook or Instagram? It's a great way of staying up to date with our news and alerts as we approach our 2024 event!

Music By The Lake on Facebook  |  Music By The Lake on Instagram

How would you like to get involved with Music By The Lake with your workplace? Ask the boss to consider our very affordable Hospitality Package (which includes tickets and a round of drinks) and our Display Sponsor Package.

If you'd like to find out more, please get in touch!

Can I purchase a ticket on the gate?
Tickets can be purchased online only, in advance. No tickets will be available to purchase on the gate.

Can I get a discount?
Perhaps! We are happy to discuss discounts for bookings of 15 or more people, or for corporate bookings, so get in touch to find out more. We do offer a 20% discount for Blue Light Card holders and military personnel - please request a discount code by emailing proof of current employment status to musicbythelake@weld-hospice.org.uk.

Am I allowed to bring my own food and drink?
Yes, you are permitted to bring your own food and drink into the event. However, we do ask that you drink responsibly and take all your litter home with you. Food and drink will be available to purchase on site throughout the events.

Is there a minimum age restriction to attend the event?
We welcome all ages to attend. We are proud that under 14's can come to Music By The Lake for free, but you must obtain a free ticket for them, and they must be accompanied by a paying adult over the age of 18 years. Proof of age of under 14's may be required for inspection at the point of entry. We will use the Challenge 25 policy throughout the event for alcohol purchase and proof of ID may be required.

What are my transport options for Music by the Lake?
Music By The Lake takes place at Dorchester Showground. Take the B3143 from the London Road in Dorchester and you'll see the entrance on your left. The postcode for SatNav is DT2 7SD, and ///puzzles.joked.mainly is the reference on What3Words. There is ample free parking, with marshalls on hand to help. Blue badge parking is available at the front of the field near the entry gates to the arena. Taxis can drop off/pick up there too. You may leave vehicles in the car park overnight at your own risk. If you can come along on foot, you can take the path from the bridge on London Road through to the event site.

Am I allowed to bring my own chair to the event?
Yes, chairs are permitted into the event but cannot be located in the marked area directly in front of the stage. New for 2024 is the option to book a chair which can be collected on the gate.

What should I wear to Music By The Lake?
Music by the Lake is held outdoors and therefore we suggest that you wear something warm for when the sun goes down. If it is raining, bring a rain coat with you and embrace the Great British weather. If you want to don fancy dress, we encourage it. We suggest bringing a hand held torch for when it gets dark.

Are dogs allowed?
Only guidance and assistance dogs are permitted at Music By The Lake.

Is there anything I cannot bring to the event?
We will have security on site, so please be prepared that your bags may be checked on arrival. You are not permitted to take in any of the following; Aerosols, Animals (apart from assistance dogs), any items which could be used as a weapon or cause damage to the environment or other attendees; Cooking Equipment, Disposable barbecues, Drones, Fireworks, Gazebos, Illegal substances, paper lanterns, petrol burners or unidentifiable substances.

Will I be sent tickets to the event?
No, we will not be posting out tickets to the event. You can either print out your tickets yourself and present them at the gate or you can display it from your mobile device (we advise downloading your ticket in case of limited network availability). It is important that we are able to scan the barcode on your ticket. Each ticket can only be used once and one ticket is required per person.

Are tickets refundable or transferable?
Please ensure you check the details of your tickets before purchasing, as tickets cannot be exchanged for another performance, refunded and are not transferable to another event. Don't worry if the name on your ticket doesn't match the person who is presenting it at the gate, so they can be purchased as a gift or given to someone else if you cannot attend. Tickets will only scan once.

Is there camping, or can motorhomes stay on site?
For the first time, motorhomes and campervans can stay overnight at Music By The Lake. Pitches must be booked in advance. Other vehicles may be left at the owners' own risk. Currently, we are unable to offer space for tents. Please note the following terms and conditions for booking a pitch:

• Anyone entering the festival site and staying in your motorhome/campervan must have a valid Music by the Lake ticket.
• Please note that all pitches are on grass and are sloping. Individual pitch sizes are 8m x 7m. You must not exceed or overhang your nominated space. Your health and safety is our highest priority and therefore no temporary structures, including tents and gazebos, should be erected anywhere on site.
• No animals, including dogs, are permitted on site at any time, including in your vehicle.
  
• No electricity will be provided. The maximum gas bottle size is 13kg (propane) / 15kg (butane), with only one permitted per unit.
• No open fires or naked flames are permitted at any time on site, which includes barbecues.
• Showers will be available at a small additional charge. This fee will be payable on the day. Portable toilets will be available to use, as well as facilities for the disposal of toilet waste.
• Vehicles must not move from the pitch between the hours of 8.00pm – 8.00am, unless in an emergency and with supervision of an official marshall.
• Please set up your unit as per instructions by the stewards. Mandatory fire spacing regulations are applied for everyone’s safety. The decision of the steward.
• You are permitted to park one additional vehicle outside of your dedicated pitch in the main car park throughout your stay.
• Please respect the need for peace and quiet overnight for your fellow campers and the landowners who reside on site. Therefore, no music or excessive noise should take place between the hours of 10.30pm – 9.00am.
• Children must not be left unsupervised at any time.
• Please be aware that the site is a working farm and a live event location. Therefore, you must remain aware at all times of moving vehicles, and any instructions that may need to be followed throughout your stay.
• We ask that you are responsible for your own rubbish and general waste and that this is taken off site with you at the end of your stay.
• We do not accept any abusive, disruptive or illegal behaviour at any time whilst you are on site.
  
• Overnight security will be in place throughout the event.
• Event organisers and those working on our behalf are within their rights to ask you to leave the site immediately if you do not comply with these rules.
• Music by the Lake and Weldmar Hospicecare accepts no liability for any loss, damage or injury caused whilst on site.

Is there any concession for carers?
We are very pleased to offer free tickets for carers of those visitors who have additional needs, and need a carer in order to make the most of the event. Please note that we have a revised policy for 2024. In order to claim a free carers' ticket, you will need to provide the following:

• Proof that you are a registered carer, which must be either proof of Carers' Allowance or your Carers' Card.
  
  
• Proof of purchase of the ticket of the person you will be attending with - carers' tickets are only available to accompany paying adults who have caring needs

Please email clear images of these documents to musicbythelake@weld-hospice.org.uk and we will supply you with a single use code to claim one free adult ticket.

Please ensure all requests for free carers' tickets are made by Sunday 30th June. We will be unable to process requests made after this date.

I still have some questions, who do I contact?
You can get in touch with us at musicbythelake@weld-hospice.org.uk