Isle of Wight
Carefree short breaks & holidays
Events and Festivals
From rock and pop to cycling and surfing, the Isle of Wight hosts a fantastic range of events to entertain visitors throughout 2013. 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 headlining previous events. 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 fifteenth 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 over August Bank Holiday.
Isle of Wight Spring Garden Show - 27 and 28 April 2013
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.
Website: www.robin-hill.com
Tel: 01983 527352
Isle of Wight Walking Festival - 4 to 19 May 2013
Walking is one of the best ways to admire the Island's unique scenery. One of the best times to visit is during May, for the UK's biggest walking festival. The event takes place over 16 days and there are over 135 themed walks, designed to suit those new to walking as well as seasoned ramblers. All you need to do is choose a walk from the programme and turn up, lightly laden, at the right place.
Experienced guides have all the routes carefully worked out and will 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 is available from March onwards.
Website: www.isleofwightwalkingfestival.co.uk
Tel: 01983 813818
Walk the Wight - 12 May 2013
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 Needles Park via Carisbrooke, 26 miles. Bembridge to Carisbrooke, 12 miles. Carisbrooke Castle to Needles Park, 14 miles. The walk is marshalled and signed throughout and covered by St.John’s Ambulance teams. 6 toilet stops and 8 water points are available along the entire route.
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. Walkers are therefore asked to obtain sponsorship or make a donation. Registration is compulsory and application forms are available online.
Website: www.walkthewight.org.uk
Tel: 01983 528989
Wolverton Folk & Blues Fair - 18 May 2013
2012
Wolverton Manor in Shorwell will once again provide the stunning backdrop to this exciting Island event. The Wolverton Folk & Blues Fair takes place on Saturday 18 May 2013, raising money for Leukaemia Research and Brighstone School.
The live music stage will provide a full programme, featuring the best of the Island's folk and blues musicians, from solo acoustic to full electric bands. The line-up includes The Sail Pattern, The Wild Oats, The MoonShiners, Holly Kirby, Nick Cane Band, Laurie McVay & Tony Farinha, The Herd and Clive Thomas with more to be confirmed.
This family friendly event will include tented cafes serving an interesting variety of freshly cooked local produce.
With an Isle of Wight real ale beer tent, BBQ, tea tent serving teas and cakes, plus children's activities, and even Circus Skills and Zumba workshops, The Wolverton Folk & Blues Fair looks set to be a celebration of all that is good about our Island's homegrown food and music talent.
With limited numbers, it is advisable to buy tickets in advance. Admission: £5 advance, £7 on the gate. Children under 12 free!
Advance tickets can be purchased at The Village Shop in Brighstone, Briddlesford Lodge Farm Shop, Shorwell Post Office and Waterstone's in Newport.
Website: www.wolvertonmanor.com
Email: folkfair@wolvertonmanor.co.uk
Round the Island Race - 1 June 2013
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, over 1600 boats and over 12,000 competitors have taken part.
The race around 60 miles of stunning coastline offers many opportunities for spectators to view the yachts close at hand, especially around the Needles and south coast.
Website: www.roundtheIsland.org.uk
Tel: 01983 296911
Yarmouth Old Gaffers Festival - 31 May to 2 June 2013
The Yarmouth Old Gaffers festival encompasses three days of free entertainment, spectacle and classic boats. Yarmouth is a favourite stop for yachts navigating east or west along the popular waters of the Solent. You don't have to be (or to own) an 'Old Gaffer' in order to join in. Nearby is a splendid Tudor castle, charming cottages, well-stocked chandlery, unique shops, fine pubs and good eateries. 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: www.yarmoutholdgaffersfestival.co.uk
Tel: 01983 761704
Isle of Wight Festival - 13 to 16 June 2013
Following the come back of the music festival a few years ago, the 2013 festival is expected to attract even more festival goers keen to visit the home of the famous Isle of Wight pop festivals of the late sixties and early seventies. The annual music festival incorporates 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: www.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 - Summer 2013
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: www.iwbsa.com
Tel: 01983 617777
Cowes Week - 3 to 10 August 2013
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. If you only visit for a day, make sure it is on the day of the annual grand fireworks display. Performed 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 powerboats lie at anchor, while thousands of spectators watch from the shoreline as a spellbinding fireworks display lights up the Solent with an amazing array of colour.
Website: www.cowesweek.co.uk
Tel: 01983 295744
Isle of Wight Garlic Festival - 20 to 21 August 2013
Now in it's 26th year, the Garlic Festival is a weekend celebrating the Islanders' epic 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. Arts and crafts, talented animals, arena entertainment, live music, children's entertainers, archery and a giant fun fair.
Website: www.garlic-festival.co.uk
Tel: 01983 614612
Bestival - 5 to 8 September 2013
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. Best of all, the festival is sited in one of the Islands most magical venues, Robin Hill Country Park.
Website: www.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
Isle of Wight Cycling Festival - 14 to 29 September 2013
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: www.sunseaandcycling.com
Tel: 01983 203891
Carnival Island 2013
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.
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