There's a bank holiday weekend just around the corner and if you need some help planning your three-day break, then here's our guide to what's happening across Dorset and the New Forest.

What about the forecast? Saturday will see sunny intervals and highs of 18C, Sunday will be overcast with highs of 16C and Monday will see sunshine and showers.

Kick-off your bank holiday weekend with an evening seabird cruise along the Jurassic Coast. Join the Durlston Rangers and look out for Guillemots, Razorbills, Kittiwakes and more. To book, call Poole’s City Cruises on 01202 467882 or visit www.citycruisespoole.com. Meet at Swanage Pier 7pm or Poole Quay 6pm. Price £16.50 adult/£8.50 children.

A World War One aerial dogfight will be re-enacted over a former New Forest airfield on Saturday. There will be five British planes and four German, all replicas of aircraft flown by pilots involved in the 1914-18 conflict. The display is scheduled to take place between 1pm and 3pm and forms part of the week-long celebration organised to mark the centenary of the Royal Flying Corps training station. For more information go to eastboldre.talktalk.net.

Choose from up to 30 ales and ciders at the Beer and Cider Festival. The event takes place between Saturday and Monday at The Greyhound Inn at Corfe Castle. There will also be a hog roast and BBQ, woodfired pizza, takeaway fish and chips, lobster high teas and face painting.

Christchurch Rowing Regatta takes place on Saturday. Around 70 races will take place during the day on a 1200m course, which stretches from the CRC Clubhouse to Christchurch Sailing Club. There will be food and drink available at the clubhouse.

Purbecks Arts Weeks Festival gets underway from Saturday with the unveiling of a giant dinosaur statue on Swanage beach. This year’s festival theme is Out of the Depths and will see more than 100 artists - including painters, photographers, printmakers and sculptors – taking part. The festival runs until June 7 with events taking place all over Purbeck. 

The RSPB are hosting a Reptile Weekend at Arne Nature Reserve this Saturday and Sunday, May 23 and 24. Visitors will be able to learn more in show and tell sessions running regularly from 1pm to 4pm, which are free to attend on both days. Booking is essential for the walk, which can be done by calling RSPB Arne Nature Reserve on 01929 553360.

A quirky dance show featuring slugs, snails and worms will be coming to Poole. Grass uses performance, puppetry and projection to inspire children to look closely at the world beneath their feet – with a few spontaneous outbreaks of “ant dancing” along the way. The show visits Old Town Community Garden at 11.30am and 2pm on Saturday, May 23 and Turlin Moor Community Garden at 2pm on Sunday, May 24. The show, which runs for 50 minutes including 10 minutes of play, is free to attend but places are limited.

Get your skates on for the Rolltate Roller Disco at Bournemouth’s Sir David English Centre on Saturday. There are two rinks; one for beginners and another for more experienced skaters, plus there will be a DJ, music and lights. Takes place at 3.15pm and entry costs £3 plus skate hire if needed.

Discover coastal wildlife with a beach combing trail at Brownsea Island. The event is free but normal boat crossing and entry charges apply. Takes place daily between 10am and 5pm from Saturday, May 23 to Sunday May 31. Booking is essential, call the Brownsea Island Property Office on 01202 707744. Mini beast safaris and special bug hotel workshops will also be taking place but you’ll need to book your place by calling the Brownsea Island Property Office or emailing brownseaisland@nationaltrust.org.uk.

Residents are invited to come along to Christchurch Quay and try a game of volleyball this Saturday, May 23.The Go Spike event is being hosted on Bournemouth Volleyball Club in conjunction with Volleyball England, running from 10am to 5pm. Admission is free. For more information, email Fadjilani@yahoo.com or call 07824 777891.

A family fun day will be held at Hillview Road in Redhill next Monday to raise money for Ashley’s Birthday Bank, which supports underprivileged children. The event will take place between 12noon and 4pm and will feature appearances by Peppa Pig, Fireman Sam and the Dorset Troopers. There will be a barbecue, cake stall, crafts, bouncy castle and face painting.

A community barbecue will be held at Boscombe’s Churchill Gardens this Saturday. The event is organised by the Churchill Gardens Community Allotment Group and will take place between 1pm and 3pm behind the basketball court on Walpole Road. All are welcome, just bring some food and drink to share.

A line-up of classic cars will be parking on the West Overcliff Promenade behind the BIC this Sunday, May 24. The Classic Cars on the Prom event takes place from 4pm to 6.30pm and features an ever-changing line-up of vehicles from 1915 to the early 1980s. No entry fee and no booking fee required, with spaces offered on a first-come, first served basis.

Head to Wimborne Model Town and have an animal adventure on Saturday. Get up close to lizards, giant land snails, stick insects, rabbits, guinea pigs, a scorpion and cockroaches between 12noon and 12pm.

More than a dozen bands will play Weymouth’s Quayside Music Festival on Sunday and Monday from 12noon until late at night. Acts lined-up include Lauren Bannon, The Skimmity Hitchers, Stereoironics and The Guise.

There will be live music, ferret racing and a dog show at Shapwick Country Fair on Sunday. The fun takes place between 12pm and 4pm and will also see a BBQ, games, stalls, kids steam train rides and more. Adults £2, kids are free. Parking and disabled facilities.

The Swanage Lions Club will be hosting their summer seaside fete between 11am and 3pm on Sunday to raise money for a number of charities.

Put your best foot forward and join a walk at Lulworth Cove on Monday as part of Seaside Walk Week. The 8.6mile walk follows the route inland past Newlands Warren, along the Purbeck Hills and catches glimpses of the coast near West Bottom towards Highworth House. From here you’ll pick up the dramatic South West Coast Path at Ringstead Bay. Begins at 12noon and is expected to finish between 3.30pm and 4pm. Costs £15 for adults and £5 for children aged 5 to 16-years-old. More details here