Events and Festivals

From rock and pop to cycling and surfing, the Isle of Wight has a fantastic range of events to entertain visitors throughout 2012. This year the Isle of Wight will play host to nearly one thousand festivals, carnivals, concerts and other events.

The Isle of Wight Festival in June and Bestival in September sell out as soon as tickets are available - and no wonder, with world class acts like Pulp and the Kaiser Chiefs headling last year's event. The Jazz Festival in April is rated second only to Cheltenham Jazz while the Island's diverse landscape and coastline provides an ideal setting for the Cycling Festival in September and the ever-popular Walking Festival which celebrates its fourteenth year in May.

No matter what time of year you visit, there are exciting events for young and old. One of the best things about the Isle of Wight is its location for sailors and they have plenty of opportunities to take advantage of its unique position. Visitors can find their sea legs with free 'try sailing' taster sessions available during Cowes Week in August, or just sit back and enjoy the ride as Europe's finest powerboats tear around the Island during the Powerboat Festival held August Bank Holiday.

Isle of Wight Spring Garden Show - 28 and 29 April 2012

Both geen-fingered folk and non-gardeners won't be disappointed by the huge range of activities taking place at the Garden Show this year. As well as viewing the plants and horticultural goods of local and mainland nurseries, you can also find marquees featuring the wares of local food and craft producers. There is a full programme of events and displays taking place at the two-day show including music, dance and sheep dog demonstrations. Hosted at Robin Hill Country Park, Downend. Single day tickets to the event cost £8.50 (advance £7.50) for adults and children over four years of age. Concessionary rate for senior citizens and disabled is £7.50 (advance £7).

Website: robin-hill.com
Tel: 01983 527352
 

Isle of Wight Walking Festival - 5 to 20 May 2012

Walking is one of the best ways to admire the Isle of Wight's stunning scenery, and one of the best times to visit is during May for the UK's biggest walking festival. There are over 135 themed walks to suit those new to walking as well as seasoned ramblers. All you have to do is select a walk from the programme and turn up, lightly laden at the right place.

Experienced guides have worked out the routes and will gladly pass on information about local history, wildlife and culture. And with over 500 miles of footpaths and bridleways including four coastal trails and eight long-distance walks, there's always a good reason to return. A free copy of the walking programme will be available from March onwards.

Website: isleofwightwalkingfestival.co.uk
Tel: 01983 813818
 

Walk the Wight - 13 May 2012

Get fit and get walking for charity. Join one of the popular 'Walk the Wight' walks, a long distance sponsored walk which takes place during the UK's largest walking festival. It's the largest annual fund raising event on the Island. Walkers can enjoy some of the most beautiful scenery on the Isle of Wight and have the choice of three distances. Bembridge to Carisbrooke Castle, 12 miles. Carisbrooke Castle to Alum Bay, 16 miles. Bembridge to Alum Bay via Carisbrooke Castle, 28 miles.

All money raised goes into the Earl Mountbatten Hospice £1 Million appeal towards financing the redevelopment of the Island's only hospice. 5200 walkers took part last year, raising over £200,000. The walk is organised by the Hospice, supported by a small committee and walkers are, therefore, asked to obtain sponsorship or make a donation. Registration is compulsory but application forms are available online or by calling us.

Website: walkthewight.org.uk
Tel: 01983 528989
 

Wolverton Folk and Blues Fair - 12 May 2012

After a sell-out successful launch in 2011, Wolverton Manor, Shorwell will once again provide the stunning backdrop to this new and exciting Island event. Wolverton Folk & Blues Fair takes place from noon to 8pm on Saturday the 12th of May 2012. The celebration of the Island's finest locally produced food & folk music will include 'taster menus' within tented cafes, serving an interesting variety of freshly cooked local produce.

A local food market will showcase the Island's food suppliers and producers.

The live music stage will provide a full programme, featuring the best of the Island's folk and blues musicians, from acoustic duos to full electric bands. With an Isle of Wight real ale beer tent, BBQ, tea tent serving cream teas & cakes plus children's activities, the secod Wolverton Folk & Blues Fair looks set to be a celebration of everything that is good about the Island's local food & music talent, all in aid of Leukaemia Research and Brighstone School.

Advance tickets can be purchased at The Village Shop in Brighstone, Shorwell Shop, Briddlesford Farm Shop or Waterstones bookshop in Newport.

Admission: £5 (£6 on the gate) children under 12 free.

Website: wolvertonmanor.com
Email: iwfoodnfolk@gmail.com
 

Round the Island Race - 30 June 2012

Round the Island race © Martin Williams
www.Island-photography.co.uk

The world's largest single yacht race is held annually, with boats of all shapes and sizes competing on handicap in this anti-clockwise race around the Isle of Wight.

In recent years, there have been over 1600 boats and over 12,000 competitors.

The race around the sixty miles of coastline offers many opportunities for spectators to view the yachts close at hand, especially around the Needles and south coast.

Website: roundtheIsland.org.uk
Tel: 01983 296911
 

Yarmouth Old Gaffers Festival - 25 to 27 May 2012

The ninth Yarmouth old gaffers festival will feature three days of free entertainment, spectacle and classic boats. Yarmouth is a favourite stop for yachts making their way east or west along the popular waters of the Solent. You don't have to be (or to own) an 'old gaffer' to join in. This popular location has a splendid Tudor castle, charming cottages, well-stocked chandlery, unique shops, fine pubs and good eating-houses. The harbour will be filled with gaff-rigged vessels and the town square and quayside busy with craft stalls and a farmers' market. Free entertainment and ample parking is provided for this splendid weekend of festivities. Make a date in your diaries for this now well-established, annual event.

Website: yarmoutholdgaffersfestival.co.uk
Tel: 01983 761704
 

Isle of Wight Festival - 22 to 24 June 2012

Following the come back of the music festival a few years ago, the 2010 festival is expected to attract even more people keen to visit the home of the famous Isle of Wight pop festivals of the late sixties and early seventies. The two-week festival will incorporate a wide range of music from classical and jazz to rock and pop at venues across the Island. Dates for the rock concert are yet to be confirmed, but it's sure to attract headline international rock acts as well as visitors from all corners of the globe.

Website: isleofwightfestival.com
Red Funnel ticket hotline: 0870 444 8898

Ferry inclusive package available: Red Funnel offers competitive ferry inclusive packages for the Festival. To find out more or book online, visit redfunnel.co.uk/iowfestival
 

Beach Soccer - June and August 2012

Beach soccer was inspired by the acrobatic football played on the beaches of Brazil. It is played on soft sand, and puts each player's physical and athletic skills to the test. The Isle of Wight is rapidly becoming a Mecca for beach soccer as Fake Tan Promotions takes us into its third beach soccer season. All events are free for spectators and will generally include music, cheerleaders, live commentary, fun competitions and a great day out by the sea.

Website: iwbsa.com
Tel: 01983 617777
 

Cowes Week - 11 to 18 August 2012

Cowes week © onEdition

There's nothing quite like Cowes week - the sailing is great for spectators and competitors alike as well as a fantastic line up of live entertainment day and night. And if you only come for a day, make sure it's when the annual grand fireworks display takes place. Conducted from a pontoon moored in the Solent off Marine Esplanade (to the west of the Royal Yacht Squadron), hundreds of vessels from pleasure steamers to small power-boats lie at anchor, whilst the shore is packed with thousands of spectators watching the fireworks light up the sea and night sky with an amazing burst of colour.

Website: cowesweek.co.uk
Tel: 01983 295744
 

Isle of Wight Garlic Festival - 18 to 19 August 2012

Now in it's 21st 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) with over 250 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 and displays from mountain bike daredevils. Adult admission £7.50, children £4.

Website: garlic-festival.co.uk
Tel: 01983 614612
 

Isle of Wight Cycling Festival - 15 to 23 September 2012

A series of cycling events encompassing all aspects of sporting and recreational cycling. The Isle of Wight cycling festival serves both as a celebration of the sport and to reinforce the Island's position as a leading cycling destination. The event offers a range of on and off road cycling challenges for all ages and abilities as well as a varied programme of entertainment for spectators.

Website: sunseaandcycling.com
Tel: 01983 203891
 

Bestival - 6 to 9 September 2012

Set in the Island's lovely green heart, Bestival is the best way to round off your festival summer. It boasts a music mix of bands and DJs from the sixties through to the 21st century – previous years have seen local boys, The Bees, playing alongside Reggae legend Lee 'Scratch' Perry, Fatboy Slim, a Kate Bush tribute act and the Basement Jaxx. To top it all off, its situated in one of the Islands most magical venues - Robin Hill Country Park.

Website: bestival.net
Tel: 01983 813813

Ferry inclusive package available: Red Funnel offers competitive ferry inclusive packages for the Bestival. To find out more or book online, visit redfunnel.co.uk/bestival
 

Carnival Island 2012

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 seventeen Carnivals, six 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. The season kicks off with a spectacular a Mardi-Gras style 'East and West Cowes shrovetide carnival' in February and runs right through to a Christmas carnival in Newport in December. The Ryde arts festival celebrates all aspects of the arts from street theatre to stand-up comedy. The event is also an opportunity for award-winning artists to express themselves in the Island's natural surroundings from art on the esplanade and sand sculpture to poetry on the pier.