Nettlecombe Farm holidays and fishing lakes, Isle of Wight
Nettlecombe Farm holidays and fishing lakes, Isle of Wight

Events

Isle of Wight events are happening all year round, with something to suit a variety of interests. In total, more than 1,000 local, national and international events and concerts are staged on the Isle of Wight every year, making it the ultimate place to be seen, to compete and to party.

Live music
The Isle of Wight festival scene is a huge draw for visitors. The summer months see outdoor music festivals taking place from May to September, including the world-famous Isle of Wight Festival which draws a star-studded line-up from across the globe. Every year a new event is added to the busy calendar. Whether your thing is folk, pop, classic or world music, you’ll be sure to find your perfect gig on the Island.

Arts and literature
The Island has a long tradition of inspiring artists from Charles Dickens to Lord Tennyson, who often wrote about his home here. Thankfully arts and literature are enjoying a renaissance on the Island. As well as established galleries dotted across our towns, events like the Wight Proms, Literary Festival, Open Studios and, one of our favourites, the Ventnor Fringe Festival have firmly taken their place in the calendar.

Sporting events
As the global mecca of the sailing industry, even those of us not taking part are treated to spectacular sights as thousands of colourful spinnakers go up during Round The Island Race, or as the Sail GP boats pass. Throughout the year there is an event for almost every ability and pursuit – from triathlons to yoga festivals. The outdoor way of life here attracts people from far and wide, meaning novices can learn from some of the best teachers and instructors available.

England’s carnival island
From town carnivals throughout the summer months to charity swims on Boxing day and torch-lit Bonfire Night processions, the Island calendar is full of traditions being replayed and reinvented.

Upcoming events include...


Isle of Wight Walking Festival - Spring

Saturday 11th May 2024 - Sunday 19th May 2024

The Isle of Wight Walking Festival is a bi-annual event held in May & October, which features over 100 different walks to suit all abilities and interests. The festival offers guided walks led by experienced local guides, including challenging hill walks, family-friendly nature trails, and heritage walks visiting some of the island's historic landmarks. Participants can choose from walks exploring the island's stunning coastline, beautiful forests, and picturesque countryside, while enjoying talks, exhibitions, live music, and food and drink events. The festival attracts walkers from around the world, with previous events offering Nordic walking, yoga, and wine tasting sessions. The Isle of Wight Walking Festival is a must-visit for any keen hiker or lover of nature.

 

Isle of Wight Walking Festival

Mountbatten Walk the Wight

Sunday 12th May 2024

The Mountbatten Hospice Isle of Wight Walk the Wight event is an annual charity walk held in May, where thousands of participants walk a 26.5-mile route across the Isle of Wight to raise funds for Mountbatten Hospice. The event was first launched in 1991 and has since become one of the largest charity walks in the UK, attracting people of all ages and abilities. Participants can choose to walk the full distance or take on shorter routes, with rest stops and refreshments provided along the way. Walk the Wight has raised millions of pounds for Mountbatten Hospice, which provides end-of-life care and support to patients and their families.

Mountbatten Hospice Walk the Wight

Round the Island Yacht Race

Saturday 15th June 2024

The Isle of Wight Round the Island Yacht Race is a famous sailing event that takes place annually in June. The race involves sailing around the Isle of Wight, covering a distance of approximately 50 nautical miles. It is one of the largest yacht races in the world, attracting over 1,000 boats and 12,000 sailors. The race is open to both professional and amateur sailors and features various classes to accommodate different types of boats. The route takes sailors past some of the island's most beautiful coastal scenery, including the famous Needles rocks. The race is known for its challenging and unpredictable conditions, making it a true test of sailing skill and endurance.

Round the Island Yacht Race

Isle of Wight Festival 2024

Thursday 20th June 2024 - Sunday 23rd June 2024

The Isle of Wight Festival is a famous annual music festival held on the Isle of Wight in England. The festival was first held in 1968 and quickly became one of the most iconic events of the late 1960s and early 1970s, featuring legendary performances from artists such as Jimi Hendrix, The Who, and Bob Dylan. After a long hiatus, the festival was revived in 2002 and has since attracted a diverse range of artists from various genres including rock, pop, and electronic music. The festival takes place over three days in June and features multiple stages, camping facilities, and a wide range of food and drink vendors.

Isle of Wight Festival

Carnival Season

Wednesday 26th June 2024 - Saturday 31st August 2024

The Isle of Wight is famous for its carnivals which are held annually in various towns and villages across the island during the summer months. These events are a highlight of the island's cultural calendar and are attended by thousands of people each year. The carnivals feature colorful parades of floats, costumes, music, and dance, with local communities coming together to showcase their creativity and celebrate their heritage. The most famous of these carnivals is the Ryde Carnival, which has been running since 1888 and is now the oldest carnival in the UK. Other popular carnivals on the island include the Sandown and Shanklin Carnival, Cowes Carnival, and Ventnor Carnival.

Isle of Wight Carnivals

Royal Isle of Wight County Show

Saturday 13th July 2024 - Sunday 14th July 2024

The Royal Isle of Wight County Show is an annual agricultural and farming event held in the Isle of Wight, UK. It showcases the best of the island's agricultural heritage and modern farming practices with exhibits, competitions, and demonstrations. The event attracts thousands of visitors and features livestock shows, sheepdog trials, equestrian displays, and a variety of trade stands offering local produce, crafts, and goods. The Royal Isle of Wight County Show is a celebration of rural life and a highlight of the island's calendar, bringing together farmers, local businesses, and the wider community.

Royal Isle of Wight County Show

Isle of Wight Pride

Friday 19th July 2024 - Sunday 21st July 2024

The Isle of Wight Pride event is an annual celebration of LGBTQ+ diversity and equality held on the Isle of Wight, a small island off the south coast of England. The event includes a parade through the streets of the island's main town, Newport, as well as live music, entertainment, and speeches from LGBTQ+ activists and allies. It aims to promote acceptance and understanding of LGBTQ+ people and raise awareness of the issues they face. The first Isle of Wight Pride was held in 2017 and it has since become a popular and important event for the island's LGBTQ+ community.

Isle of wight Pride

Ventnor Fringe Festival

Friday 19th July 2024 - Sunday 28th July 2024

The Ventnor Fringe Festival is an annual arts festival held in the seaside town of Ventnor on the Isle of Wight, UK. The festival features a diverse range of events, including theatre, music, comedy, visual arts, and spoken word performances, with many taking place in unique and unusual venues such as pubs, churches, and even people's homes. The festival aims to provide a platform for emerging artists and promote cultural diversity. It typically runs for five days in August and attracts thousands of visitors each year.

Ventnor Fringe Festival

Cowes Week

Saturday 27th July 2024 - Friday 2nd August 2024

Cowes Week is an annual sailing regatta held in Cowes, a town located on the Isle of Wight in Southern England. The event is one of the largest and most prestigious sailing events in the world, attracting over 1,000 boats and 8,000 competitors from all over the globe. It takes place in August and features both professional and amateur sailors competing in a range of races and events, including one-design racing, handicap racing, and offshore racing. The week-long event also includes a lively social scene with live music, food and drink, and a fireworks display. Cowes Week has been running for over 200 years and is a highlight of the summer season on the Isle of Wight.

Cowes Week, Isle of Wight

The Wight Proms

Sunday 11th August 2024 - Sunday 18th August 2024

The Isle of Wight Proms is an annual event held in the grounds of Northwood House in Cowes, Isle of Wight. The event features a variety of classical and contemporary musical performances, culminating in a spectacular fireworks display. The event attracts a diverse audience from all over the UK and beyond, with many people camping on the island for the weekend to enjoy the music and festivities. The Isle of Wight Proms has become a popular highlight of the island's cultural calendar, with tickets often selling out well in advance.

The Wight Proms

Isle of Wight Garlic Festival

Saturday 17th August 2024 - Sunday 18th August 2024

The Isle of Wight Garlic Festival is an annual two-day event held in August on the Isle of Wight, an island off the south coast of England. The festival celebrates all things garlic, with over 250 food and craft stalls offering a wide variety of garlic-infused dishes, drinks, and products. There are also live music performances, cooking demonstrations, and children's activities. The festival attracts thousands of visitors each year and is considered one of the island's top events. In addition to celebrating garlic, the festival raises money for local charities and organisations.

Isle of Wight Garlic Festival

International Charity Classic Car Extravaganza

Saturday 7th September 2024 - Sunday 8th September 2024

The International Charity Classic Car Extravaganza is an annual event held on the Isle of Wight, UK. It showcases a wide range of classic cars, motorcycles, and other vintage vehicles from around the world. The event is organized to raise funds for various charities and attracts car enthusiasts and collectors from all over. It is a three-day extravaganza that includes live music, food and drink stalls, and various family-friendly activities. The event celebrates the history and heritage of classic cars while also contributing to charitable causes, making it a popular and meaningful event for all attendees.

International Charity Classic Car Extravaganza

Isle of Wight Literary Festival

Thursday 3rd October 2024 - Sunday 6th October 2024

The Isle of Wight Literary Festival is an annual event that takes place in Cowes, on the Isle of Wight, England. The festival was first launched in 2012 and has since become one of the most prominent literary events in the South of England, attracting a range of authors, poets, and literary figures. The festival typically features talks, discussions, and book signings, with a particular emphasis on promoting new and emerging writers. Past speakers at the festival have included famous authors such as Michael Morpurgo, Sebastian Faulks, and Louis de Bernieres, as well as local authors and literary figures. The festival usually takes place over four days in October.

Isle of Wight Literary Festival

Isle of Wight Walking Festival - Autumn

Friday 11th October 2024 - Saturday 19th October 2024

The Isle of Wight Walking Festival is a bi-annual event held in May & October, which features over 100 different walks to suit all abilities and interests. The festival offers guided walks led by experienced local guides, including challenging hill walks, family-friendly nature trails, and heritage walks visiting some of the island's historic landmarks. Participants can choose from walks exploring the island's stunning coastline, beautiful forests, and picturesque countryside, while enjoying talks, exhibitions, live music, and food and drink events. The festival attracts walkers from around the world, with previous events offering Nordic walking, yoga, and wine tasting sessions. The Isle of Wight Walking Festival is a must-visit for any keen hiker or lover of nature.

Isle of Wight Walking Festival - Autumn
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