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 2008. 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 headline acts like The Police, the Kaiser Chiefs and the Sex Pistols already announced for 2008. The Jazz Festival in April is rated second only to Cheltenham Jazz while the Island's diverse landscape and coastline provides the setting for the adrenalin-fuelled Wight Air Extreme Sports Festival in September and the ever-popular Walking Festival which celebrates its tenth 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 Skandia 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.

The Isle of Wight International Jazz Festival - 11 to 13 April 2008

Ventnor, capital of jazz and the 'deep south' of the UK. Dance the night away to a variety of jazz sounds that fill the tented, cliff top Jazz Village as well as pubs, restaurants and churches in the town. Choose from major ticketed events, the day pass, or the three-day 'Festival stroller' - under 12's Free. Prices start at £15 (adult). See website for various deals available. Free fringe marquee.

Telephone: 01983 856206
Website: iowjazzfestival.co.uk

Robin Hill Spring Garden Show - 26 to 27 April 2008

Both green-fingered folk and non-gardeners won't be disappointed by the huge range of activities taking place at the Robin Hill 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. Day tickets cost £8.50 per person (under 4's go free), saver tickets of are available at a cost of £31 for groups of four people, seniors £6, disabled people £5.50.

Telephone: 01983 527352
Website: robin-hill.com

Isle of Wight Walking Festival - 3 to 18 May 2008

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 of next year.

Telephone: 01983 813818
Website: isleofwightwalkingfestival.co.uk

Walk the Wight - 18 May 2008

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.

Telephone: 01983 528989
Website: walkthewight.org.uk

Round the Island Race - 28 June 2008

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.

Telephone: 01983 296911
Website: roundtheisland.org.uk

Yarmouth Old Gaffers Festival - 30 May - 1 June 2008

The eighth 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.

Telephone: 01983 761704
Website: yarmoutholdgaffersfestival.co.uk

Isle of Wight Festival - 13 to 15 June 2008 (SOLD OUT)

Following the come back of the music festival a few years ago, the 2008 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.
Red Funnel ticket hotline: 0870 444 8898
Website: isleofwightfestival.com

Ferry inclusive package available: Red Funnel offer competitive ferry inclusive packages for the Festival. For more details or to book online, see: redfunnel.co.uk/iowfestival.

Beach Soccer - June and August 2008

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.

Telephone: 01983 617777
Website: ftpbeachsoccer.com

Skandia Cowes Week - 2 to 9 August 2008

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.

Telephone: 01983 295744
Website: cowesweek.co.uk

Isle of Wight Garlic Festival - 16 to 17 August 2008

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.

Telephone: 01983 863566
Website: garlic-festival.co.uk

White Air Extreme Sports Festival - 18 to 21 September 2008

Skateboarding © White Air

An adrenaline-filled event based at Yaverland in Sandown Bay, White Air attracts many top world-class competitors and high-profile sponsors, and is by far the biggest event of its kind in Britain and ranked as one of the most important events on the International circuits. Top-class surfers, kitesurfers and windsurfers take to the sea whilst on land there are live bands every night as well as party nights.

Telephone: 01983 760553
Website: whiteair.co.uk

Isle of Wight Cycling Festival - 13 to 21 September 2008

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.

Telephone: 01983 203891
Website: sunseaandcycling.com

Bestival - 5 to 7 September 2008

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 DJ's 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.

Telephone: 01983 813813
Website: bestival.net

Ferry inclusive package available: Red Funnel offer competitive ferry inclusive packages for the Bestival. For more details or to book online, see: redfunnel.co.uk/bestival.

Carnival Island 2008

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.

Telephone: 01983 616362
Website: rydedevelopmenttrust.org