Blandford Forum's market day (Thursday and Saturday) is a good reason to time a visit — the town comes alive with stalls around the market place, and the pubs fill up with farmers and locals. Summer brings the best weather for walking the Stour Valley Path and the surrounding chalk downlands; the countryside around Blandford is at its finest from May to September when the wildflowers are out on the chalk.
Spring and autumn are quieter and pleasant, with the Georgian buildings looking particularly handsome under low light. Winter is quiet but the town's pubs and cafes are welcoming. There are no major annual festivals of national significance, though the town holds a number of local events through the year. The Dorset Steam Fair, one of the largest steam traction engine rallies in the world, takes place annually near Blandford Forum in late summer and draws large crowds from across the country.