Bridport will be taken over by a sea of hats this weekend.

That is because the Bridport Hat Festival is back - the town's annual celebration of headwear.

Bridport Hat Festival is a celebration of hats, a fundraiser for head-related charities and a giant summer-ending party for the town and its visitors – all run by volunteers. The most creative, quirky, stylish and inventive headwear combines live music, multiple competitions, demonstrations, talks, displays, shows, a hat auction, games, hatted dogs (yes, hatted dogs) and much, much more, all 'topped' off by a huge mass hat-wearing photoshoot in Bucky Doo Square on 'Haturday'.

Last year the festival was scaled down due to the coronavirus pandemic - but it is back to full capacity this year.

The fun gets underway tomorrow (3rd) at 10am when the Town Crier opens the festival in Bucky Doo Square, followed by a welcome from Ian Bark, Bridport's Mayor.

There is entertainment in Bucky Doo Square until 3:30pm with music from Steve Frapwell, Pop Club, and Lucy Bone, alongside the mass hatted photo, judging and prizes in the fun hat competition.

On the Millennium Green Music Stage is music from Bridport Broadsides Shanty, Spindle, and Acoustic Rooster, among many others.

Other events at Millennium Green include the best-hatted dog competition, a vintage tea party and cake, a licensed bar, and prizes from the Bridport hat hurling challenge.

Full schedule

Bucky Doo Square

• 10am Town Crier declares the 2022 Bridport Hat Festival open. Followed by a welcome from Ian Bark, Bridport's Mayor.
• 10am – 1pm. On-street short listing of the 'Fun' Hat Competitions (Sponsored by Nantes Solicitors) from the general public throughout the Town & the Millennium Green. The categories are lady, gentleman, girl, boy, couple and family or group.
• 10:15am – 1pm. 'The Pop Club Stage' (Sponsored by Vicary & Co) will feature young musicians:
• 10:15am – Flo (singer-songwriter from Dorset)
• 11:00am – Ro (young Singer from Dorset)
• 11:30am – Steve Frapwell (songsmith originally from Bridport)
• 12:15am – Pop Club (Young Ensemble from Dorset)
• 1pm Mass hatted photo
• 1:10pm Judging and prize giving for the fun Hat Competition
• 1:30pm – Bridport Broadside
• 2:30pm – Reddle (young Rock Band from Dorset)
• 3:30pm – Lucy Bone (singer from Dorset)

Millennium Green Music Stage  

• 11am Lost Souls 
• 11:40am Bridport Broadsides Shanty
• 12:20pm Spindle 
• 12:50pm Aidan Simpson, Matt and Jack
• 1:30pm Lester Parrott 
• 2pm – 4pm Charles Smith & his Arcadia Jazz Band. Devon-based Jazz Band. Performing at all kinds of events for the last 25 years and has supported Kenny Ball, George Melly, and Humphrey Lyttelton – amongst others
• 4pm Acoustic Rooster 
• 4:45pm Mitch Hiller
• 5:20pm Sideways (blues)

Other Events at Millennium Green

• 10:30am. – 12:30pm the Bridport Hat Hurling Challenge - prizes at 12:30pm
• 11am – 12noon best hatted dog competition – all entries get a treat
• 2pm – 5pm Vintage Tea Party Tea, cake and soft drinks, prosecco for adults
• 3pm judging of the most elegant ensemble public competition for the lady, gent and couple sporting the most stylish and sophisticated complete costume topped by a suitable hat
• Licensed bar open all day
• Hot and cold food is available all day

Other Locations

• 8am – 4pm Bridport Market, East Street, South Street and West Street.
• 10am – 5pm the Art & Vintage Quarter at St Michael's Trading Estate, West Street
• 11:30am storytime at Bridport Library, South Street
• 12noon – 12 midnight The Bridport & West Dorset Club is open
• 8pm Hank Wangford & the Lost Cowboys are returning to the Electric Palace, South Street
• 9:15pm free entry at The Ropemakers, West Street. The Skalatans Bridport based Rocksteady band with a little Latin infusion; a seven-piece band guaranteed to get you moving

Click here to see more Hat Festival details.