SEVERAL events are taking place this bank holiday weekend including festivals, dragon boat races and a fireworks display.

Organisers are expecting the weekend to be busy as tourists flock to the coast to soak up the sun on the last days of the summer holidays.

Quayside Festival

Weymouth's Quayside Music Festival is returning for its 14th year today and tomorrow, bringing live music, food and drink to Custom House Quay.

Hosted by The Rendezvous nightclub, the free event will be headlined by star of ITV's The Voice, Lauren Bannon AKA Lloren, and will see other acts including The Leggomen, Chief Lazarus and Orange Street take to the stage.

Lyme Folk Festival

The Lyme Folk Weekend is making a triumphant return today, tomorrow and Monday after it was cancelled last year due to the coronavirus pandemic. Attendees will be treated to free folk music, although the event will be scaled down slightly compared to previous years to ensure it is Covid-secure.

BeCider Seaside 13

Held across the whole weekend, Bredy Farm, near Burton Bradstock, is hosting BeCider Seaside 13 featuring bands, food and, of course, cider. Camping options are available.

Bournemouth 7s

Taking over Chapel Gate, Christchurch, the annual Bournemouth 7s event will take place across the weekend, with a host of sporting action including rugby, netball, dodgeball, hockey and volleyball. On Saturday and Sunday night, festival goers can dance the night away to acts including Ella Eyre, Majestic and Krakota. Roughly 30,000 people are expected to attend.

Dragon Boat Race

Tomorrow, Weymouth's popular Dragon Boat race will see teams of rowers take to the water in Weymouth Bay.

The race will take place at the Pavilion end of Weymouth Beach from 10am until 4pm, and participants can wear fancy dress if they wish.

Dog, Sausage and Cider Festival

Also tomorrow, The Springhead pub in Sutton Poyntz hosts the Dog, Sausage and Cider Festival featuring a range of flavoured sausages, local ciders and the Springhead Dog Show.

The event is £1 entry for adults and free for children and proceeds from the event will be donated to Margaret Green Animal Rescue.

Weymouth Fireworks

The weekend will end with a bang as the last in a series of fireworks displays will take place in Weymouth Bay on Monday night at 9.30pm. The final display will be a 'noisy' one following two lower noise displays organised by Weymouth Town Council.