Dorchester is the residential and commercial core of the municipality of Thames Centre. There are many annual events held in Dorchester, such as the Dorchester Fair, the Dorchester Car Show, the Dave Clarke Memorial Run, Friday Night Tradition and many more.

The Donnybrook Fiddle and Step Dance Competition, usually won by the famous fiddler Celine Murray, has become an annual event held at the Dorchester Fairgrounds every Civic Long Weekend. This event brings fiddlers and steppers from all over the province and the North Eastern United States.

There are many places where celebrations can be held, such as anniversaries, charity events and Stag and Does. These include the Dorchester Arena and the Optimist Hall.

Scouts from all over Canada and the USA attend an "international brotherhood camporee" called the Dorchester International Brotherhood Camporee. (DIBC) The camporee attracts as many as 4000 scouts and girl guides/scouts from Canada and the US every year. The camp is held annually on mothers day weekend, and recently celebrated it's 20th anniversary.

Dorchester is also home to Pine Knot Golf and Country Club, rated first for best maintained and best customer service amongst golf courses in Southern Ontario.

The arena is undergoing a 10 million dollar expansion and is due to be finished in the summer of 2010. This expansion adds a second NHL sized ice pad, gymnasium and many other facilities.