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Imagine being mesmerised by beautiful gardens aglow with thousands of flickering flames and fire sculptures, captivated by contemporary circus, theatre and dance around a fishing harbour, then drawn on a dramatic after dark journey among ancient buildings and through twisting alleyways.

Inside Out is the biggest programme of free outdoor performance ever to take place in the region. Here are some of the highlights...

Be drawn on a dramatic journey through the winding alleyways and ancient buildings of Wimborne as you follow this dark folk tale based on a Robert Browning poem.

Periplum uses music, text, imposing stilted figures, flaring flames and dramatic visual imagery to tell the tragic story of a young man who kills his lover so that he can have her forever.

Performances are on 13 and 14 September in Wimborne Town Square.

Parading with fish in Poole

Find yourself immersed in an exotic underwater world where colourful aquatic creatures swim among the crowd on Saturday 15 September.

Marvel at schools of darting tropical fish and watch the luminescent jellyfish dancing above your head as you follow this watery procession accompanied by music and light.

The colourful parade will take you through Poole’s historic Lower High Street and along the quayside where bars and cafes overlook the beauty of Poole Harbour and distant Brownsea Island.

Sunday 16 September offers a day of performance featuring theatre and dance from international artists alongside the best of Dorset’s young performers.

Four fluorescent green-suited dancers will turn the streets of West Bay into a startling dance experience with their show ‘En vie… En ville’.

High in the air, circus group Upswing Aerial presents ‘Voices’, a warm and humorous show inspired by African proverbs. Upswing has been working with local young people over the summer; helping them to create a sassy street dance show.

Mimbre’s world class acrobatics combine with strong physical theatre to tell the tale of ‘The Bridge’ and three women – one who needs to cross it, one who has come to claim it and a third who stands in their way.

Flickering flames in Bournemouth

As dusk falls, Bournemouth’s Lower Gardens will be transformed into a spectacular night-time promenade by the flickering flames and spectacular fire sculptures of French artists Carabosse.

These installation and illumination specialists will use thousands of clay ‘fire pots’, mechanical fire machines, charcoal braziers and live music to create a magical environment.

Conflict at Nothe Fort

Carmen Funebre will be staged in the atmospheric surroundings of Weymouth’s Nothe Fort by Polish theatre company Teatr Biuro Podrozy on 21 and 22 September.

The performance is based on the stories of refugees from the Bosnian conflict and the production has won international acclaim.

And finally... a journey across Dorset's ancient landscape

Bronze percussion, horns, pyrotechnics and the elements converge in an atmospheric journey across the ancient landscape of Hambledon Hill, weaving between the present day and the Neolithic past.Ìý

Arrive from 4pm at Shroton Cricket Club on Sunday 23 September. Bring a picnic and watch as Bill Crumblehome fires Neolithic earthenware on site and shows the pots that he has made with local school children.