Looking for something different to do this weekend? then look no further as there's lots going on to keep all the family entertained over the next 48 hours.

Bournemouth Arts by the Sea Festival will amaze and delight in equal measure with a host of events going on as the town is transformed into an artistic arena.

Don't fancy that? there's a street food festival, historic re-enactment and even a visual effects and animation festival to get involved in.

The weather forecast looks overcast but warm for the weekend so there's no excuse not to get out and about.

Want to promote a community event? visit our events section and add your listing for free! 

Explore Bournemouth Arts by the Sea Festival

Bournemouth Arts by the Sea Festival is back and this weekend sees a host of exciting events taking place. The third event kicked off last night with a 360 degree panoramic performance under the night sky with new commission, Fuel on the Roof.

The show, which takes place on a stage at Pier Approach, is set within the reality of a game, the 360° panoramic, open aired, nigh-time setting and free running characters is set to suck up the audience, making them feel as though they are taking part. Tickets are £12/£10 advance, £15 on door. Group discounts available. Age 12+.

French street theatre company Compagnie Carabosse will be taking over the Lower Gardens tonight and tomorrow with their spectacular Fire Gardens display. The free event takes place between 5pm and 11pm. For those of you who like to dance the night away, there will be a silent disco at Pavilion Dance on Saturday from 10pm. Tickets cost £8 on the day or £6 if booked in advance.

There will also be jiving in The Square, vintage mobile cinema in the Lower Gardens and the chance to build your own boat from recycled materials on Saturday.

For more details about events visit http://artsbournemouth.org.uk/arts-bournemouth/arts-by-the-sea/

Have a nosh-up at Bournemouth Street Food Festival

Calling all foodies! Bournemouth’s first ever street food festival comes takes place on Saturday between 12noon and 7pm. The event will be a chance to sample delights from established and upcoming street food traders in and around Dorset and will be held at the newly revamped Horseshoe Common. There will be fresh and varied food on the menu to tickle your taste buds including gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches, paella, wood fired pizza, African Cuisine plus Cold pressed seasonal organic juices and smoothies.

Visit the orchid show

The Bournemouth orchid fair and show is being hosted at the Allendale Centre between 12pm and 4.30pm on Saturday. Entrance is £3 for adults and free for children with a paying adult.

Admire some vintage cars

Lovers of vintage vehicles should head to Christchurch Quay on Sunday. Between 11am until 5pm there will be classic cars from the 1920s up to August 1983 on display. The event is the season finale of the Classic Cars on the Prom events which have been taking place since the spring on West Overcliff Promenade behind the BIC.

Cheer on the swimmers at Sandbanks

Hundreds of swimmers will head to Sandbanks for the return of the popular charity Open Water Swim Series to Sandbanks. The Poole Swim, organised by Human Race, the UK’s largest mass-participation events company, is the only sea swim of the six-strong series. Keen swimmers of varying abilities, will swim a course along the Sandbanks peninsula and back with participants having the option of a 750m, 1.5km or 3km dip. Entry is closed but everyone who enters the event will receive a swimming cap and a medal.

Soak up at atmosphere at Shaftesbury Carnival

Shaftesbury Carnival celebrates its 133rd year on Saturday. The popular annual event will see a children’s procession at 3pm and band parade in the High Street at 6pm ahead of an illuminated procession starting from the fire station at 7.15pm.

Drink coffee and raise money for cancer

Libraries across Poole will be brewing up for a good cause on Saturday. Every library will be joining in the World’s Biggest Coffee Morning in aid of Macmillan Cancer Care from 10.30am where you will be able to enjoy a coffee, cake and a good book all at the same time. Shelley Theatre in Bournemouth is also holding a coffee morning from 10.30am serving tea, cakes and Jam made from the Mulberry tree planted over 100 years ago by our founder Percy Florence Shelley.

Step back into history at Corfe Castle

A full scale re-enactment of the fall of Corfe Castle tops off a month of English Civil War-themed activities this weekend. Lord Hopton's Regiment of Foote will be demonstrating all aspects of 17th century encampment, including drills and weapon displays. There will also be a dramatic re-enactment on Saturday and Sunday of when the castle was finally taken called ‘Besieged and Betrayed’. The events are free but normal castle admission charges still apply.

Take a walk through Purbeck

Burn off some calories and take in stunning views in Purbeck this weekend. The 2014 Swanage and Purbeck Walking Festival continues until Sunday and with a number of walks on offer there will be something to suit everyone. For the more energetic there’s an 11-mile walk on Saturday or for those with little ones to entertain there’s a family bug walk around Durlston Country Park on Sunday. Book online at walkswanage.com or phone Swanage TIC on 01929 422885 / Wareham TIC on 01929 552740.

Have a go at animation at the BFX Festival 

Bournemouth’s visual effects and animation festival continues until Sunday and there’s a number of events taking place to keep all the family happy at the BIC. Children and parents can try their hand at animation during the free workshops which run between 10am and 4pm. A Disney art exhibition tour will take you through the creative process behind the Sleeping Beauty and Maleficent. There will also be showings of Frozen and The Lego Movie in the Tregonwell Hall at the BIC on Saturday night. Tickets are available to buy at http://www.bfxfestival.com/festival/explore-bfx-and-family-events