Isle of Wight Events
There is no better way to add to the enjoyment of your short break on the Isle of Wight than by attending one of these memorable events. Some of the main events are listed below, but many more events are staged on the Island.
Look through the event guide below then check your diary to make sure you do not miss out! Book your hotel accommodation via the availability box above right or call 01983 869000 to discuss your requirements further.
Isle of Wight Musical Competition Festival | 5th March - 19th March 2012 |
Share in some top quality performances in Music, Speech, Drama and Dance Various locations inNewport, Shanklin & Ryde. For Further information visit: http://www.iwmcf.co.uk/ | |
Isle of Wight Grand National | 25th March 2012 |
| The Annual Isle of Wight Grand National and Ashey Scurry will be taking place on Sunday 25th March 2012 at West Ashey Farm, Ryde. |  |
Mothers Day Specials at IW Steam Railway, Havenstreet | TBC March 2012 |
Give Mum a relaxing treat on Mothering Sunday and join us for a special day out. With spring in the air it's a wonderful time to take a steam train journey through the countryside followed by lunch in our Refreshment Rooms. Each mum taking a steam train ride will receive a free gift of spring flowers to make her feel really special! http://www.iwsteamrailway.co.uk/special-events/april/mothers-day-specials.html | |
Isle of Wight "Mardi Gras" 2012 | TBC 2012 |
Cowes Yacht Haven In aid of the Isle of Wight Council Chairman's Charity, the Mardi Gras Night is a one-off spectular featuring live music, salsa and dancers More information at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Isle-of-Wight-Mardi-Gras/167152203315860?v=wall | |
IW Spring Garden Show - Robin Hill | TBC 2012 |
An unmissable event. Showcasing mainland nurseries normally seen at Chelsea, IW garden businesses, local food - including a fabulous food theatre art, craft, green & environmental exhibits, health, lifestyle & countryside products....you don't want to be missing out on this superb Easter event. Great for garden enthusiasts plus all the family too! Watch the incredible skills of the UK's best chainsaw sculpture artists in the I.W Carve-Off...plus other great arena events, music & entertainments all Easter weekend! http://www.robin-hill.com/events/more#spring-garden | |
Isle of Wight Walking Festival | TBC May 2012 |
| Did you know that every May the Isle of Wight hosts the UK's largest walking festival? Not surprising when you learn that the Isle of Wight has over 500 miles of well-maintained and signposted footpaths around 30 miles of Heritage Coastline, while more than half of the Island is recognised as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. |  |
Ribex | TBC 2012 |
RIBEX is the world's only boat show dedicated solely to Rigid Inflatable Boats. •The ultimate arena for checking out new ribs •World launches of ribs and related gear •Test lesiure and professional crafr in open water •Get excellent on the spot show deals •Fun, exciting family day out •Rib rides, demonstrations and displays •Excellent food and bar on site |  |
Old Gaffers Festival | TBC June 2012 |
| During the Festival, Yarmouth's picturesque harbour will be filled with life and colour with more than 100 visiting traditional sailing, steam and motor vessels, including the cream of the Old Gaffers fleet. On shore there will be a huge range of attractions keeping the thousands of visitors entertained from morning till night all weekend. |  |
Isle of Wight Festival | 22nd -24th June 2012 |
| In the music festival calendar, June is now very much associated with the Isle of Wight Festival and 2012 will be no exception (especially without Glastonbury!) Line up includes the legendary Bruce Springsteen, |  |
Round the Island Yacht Race | TBC June 2011 |
| The country's largest yacht race features over 1800 boats racing a 50 mile course around the Island. This truly is one of the most spectacular sights on the Island. |  |
Sandown Carnival Week | Dates TBC |
| Nowhere is the Island's friendly, community spirit more evident than in its town carnivals that take place throughout the season. This season comprises approximately 17 Carnivals, 6 of which are illuminated, plus lantern processions throughout the year including the biggest, which takes place annually in Ryde on the last Sunday in November |  |
Rhythm Tree Festival | 20th - 22nd July 2012 |
Calbourne Water Mill - The 'Out of this World' Music Festival The RhythmTree Festival is an annual three day music event held on the Isle of Wight. Now in its third year the RhythmTree is attracting an ever increasing attendance from people looking for something very different in the UK music festival calendar. Over the week-end you can hear didgeridoo, samba bateria, taiko drumming, dhol, throat and overtone singing, native american flute, jaw harp, djembe, hang, tongue drum, mbira and a whole array of more familiar instruments all included in the RhythmTree's unique blend of music programming. So if you would like to hear reggae, folk, world fusion, electronica and the completely undefinable all on one stage during an evening the RhythmTree is for you. 2010 saw the addition of our second semi-acoustic venue called the Didge Cafe. Just part of our continuous off-stage entertainment throughout the festival day. The festival now includes a diverse array of musical genres and world instruments and will be expanding its range again this year. |  |
Aberdeen Asset Management Cowes Week | 11th - 18th August 2012 |
| Since 1826 Cowes Week has played a key part in the British sporting summer calendar and is one of the UK's longest running and most successful sporting events. It now stages up to 40 daily races for over 1,000 boats and is the largest sailing regatta of its kind in the world. Cowes Week is a fusion of many exciting elements, with its great mix of competitive sailing and social activities. The 8,500 competitors range from Olympic and world class professionals to weekend sailors. In excess of 100,000 spectators come to watch the sailing, enjoy the parties and live entertainment, and to experience the unique atmosphere. It is genuinely a one-of-a-kind event - come and see for yourself! |  |
Robin Hill's Glorious Summer Nights | TBC August 2012 |
What better way to spend a summer evening in August? live bands, carnival entertainers, the Isle of Radio road show, special openings of the park attractions, romantic woodland strolls in our illumiated woodland gardens, a bar, bbq....and some family open air cinema, literally" under the stars!" ... http://www.robin-hill.com/events/more#cinema | |
Isle of Wight Garlic Festival | 18th - 19th August 2012 |
Now in it's 25th year, the Garlic Festival is a weekend to celebrate the Islanders' feat of selling garlic to the French! The event takes place at Newchurch (A3056 Newport - Sandown road) from 10am to 6pm with over 300 stallholders selling such delights as garlic beer and garlic ice cream as well as a wealth of other locally produced delicacies. Further entertainment includes live music from local bands, funfair and climbing wall |  |
Sandown Illuminated Carnival | Date TBC |
| Sandown Illuminated Carnival Parade is one of the biggest on the island featuring, fire, hundreds of spectacular costumes, amazing floats and bands parading through the town's streets, all lit with thousands of colourful lights. Simply an amazing atmosphere!!! |  |
Little Britain Challenge Cup | TBC September 2012 |
| The Little Britain Challenge Cup, the construction industry regatta, is held in Cowes on the Isle of Wight, home of world yachting. It allows everyone from MD's and designers to quantity surveyors and builders to escape the world of breezeblocks and blue prints and rub shoulders with notable faces in the sailing world, for a couple of days sailing in the Solent. The 200-yacht event is now the largest industry event in Europe and is the biggest in Britain after Skandia Cowes Week |  |
Bestival | TBC September 2012 |
| 3 days of boutique festival fun for happy campers. 8 stages of live music, cabaret, DJ's and festival fun. |  |
Isle of Wight Cycling Festival | 15 - 23 September 2012 |
| With wonderful scenery in areas of outstanding natural beauty, picturesque villages and a great network of cycle tracks, bridleways and quite lanes cycling is a great way to explore the Isle of Wight and is the best way to see close up what the countryside has to offer. There is a selection of fantastic rides with options for all levels of cyclist, whether you are a regular cyclist or infrequent rider there is something that will suit you. http://www.sunseaandcycling.com/ |  |
Isle of Wight Walking Festival | 21 - 24 October 2011 |
| The Isle of Wight Walking Festival is still getting bigger and better!! Still boasting over 300 walks in the programme. The comprehensive Walking Festival Programme will be available from 1st February. http://www.isleofwightwalkingfestival.co.uk/ | |
Sandown 5th November Carnival Celebrations | 5th November 2011 |
| Sandown Lantern Parade marks the final carnival of the season with a spectacular parade of over 200 lanters culminating in a grand fireworks display. |  |
