Sport, Wimborne | Posted on April 10th, 2026 | return to news

Festival of Sports to be held in Wimborne

This first ever free family-friendly event will be held on Sunday 19 April from 10am-4pm at the Willow Walk green.

People are invited to become involved with Wimborne’s first-ever Festival of Sports and Active Leisure which will take place on Sunday 19 April from 10am-4pm at Willow Walk (Waitrose Green).

With no booking required for this free family-friendly event attendees can simply turn up and take part in sessions led by local clubs, coaches, and businesses.

Activities will cater to all fitness levels, including low-intensity options for those seeking a gentler pace.

Attendees will be able to try a wide range of hands-on activities delivered by local clubs and organisations, including boules, cricket skills, trampoline fitness, balance and strength challenges, and kayaking simulators. There will also be opportunities to try aerial arts on a hoop rig, take part in martial arts and fitness activities, and even experience fun features such as mermaid tails and interactive games.

A highlight of the day will be a climbing tower, offering an exciting challenge for those keen to test their skills. Visitors will be encouraged to take part in multiple activities throughout the day, with the chance to complete a series of challenges and receive a certificate.

The festival is organised by the newly formed Wimborne Sports and Active Leisure Forum, established as part of Wimborne Town of Culture 2026. The Forum aims to champion the value of sport and active leisure not only for individual wellbeing but also for strengthening the wider community.

The Forum has three key objectives; to act as a collective voice for local sports and leisure organisations; to promote participation and health-enhancing behaviours for all ages and to embed sport and leisure as an integral part of Wimborne’s culture.

The event is being delivered in partnership with Wimborne BID as part of the Discover Wimborne month of April. It also forms part of UPLIFT Youth Festival (6–19 April), a programme of activity by and for young people as part of Wimborne Town of Culture 2026, with the Forum itself developed as an initiative linked to the Town of Culture programme. The event is supported by Radio Wimborne and sponsored by Wimborne Rotary. As part of the festival, the Forum will also launch a new website and directory designed to showcase local clubs, organisations, and charities offering sport, fitness, and active leisure opportunities in and around Wimborne.

Cllr Bill Jaggs, founding member of the Wimborne Sports and Active Leisure Forum, said: “It’s fantastic to see the Sports and Active Leisure Forum bringing this event to life. Sport and active leisure are such an important part of Wimborne’s cultural identity, and it’s great to see them celebrated alongside the wider Town of Culture programme.

“As part of UPLIFT Youth Festival, this event adds another dimension to what’s happening across the town in April and creates more opportunities for people of all ages to get involved, try something new and learn about the different sports and activity clubs locally.”

Organisations and individuals interested in being featured in the directory or joining the Forum are encouraged to get in touch by emailing cllrjaggs@wimborne.gov.uk