| 2-24 |
Easter Treasure Hunt Amazon World Zoo Park, near Arreton. No chocolate eggs here—the hunt is for frogs, in honour of the European Association of Zoo and Aquaria’s year of the frog campaign. 01983 867122, www.amazonworld.co.uk. |
| 27-5 |
Apr Yasmina Reza’s Art Trinity Theatre, Cowes. The award-winning play about three men who argue over a work of art is staged by the Cowes Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society. 01983 295229, www.caods.org.uk. |
| 11-13 |
Isle of Wight International Jazz Festival Ventnor. Maceo Parker & his Band, featuring Dennis Rollins, and an 18-piece line-up led by Pete Long of Ronnie Scott’s Big Band with Liane Carroll and Ian Shaw are among the artists at this year’s event. 01983 856206, www.iowjazzfestival.co.uk. |
| 26-27 |
Mega Wheels Classic Car Show Garlic Festival Site, Newchurch. A wide variety of classic vehicles, local and mainland car clubs including Jaguar, Ford, Austin, BMC, Aston Martin and MG, plus vintage buses and lorries, steam vehicles, tractors and electric bikes. 01983 863566. For directions to the site, visit www.garlic-festival.co.uk. |
| 3-18 |
Isle of Wight Walking Festival Island-wide. Bigger than ever in its 10th year, the Festival has a wide range of routes and events for keen walkers.01983 203888, www.isleofwightwalkingfestival.co.uk. |
| 4 |
Isle of Wight Randonnee 2008 Established in 1985, the IoW Randonnee follows a scenic route around the whole of the Island, taking minor roads and lanes where possible. Register on the day; free entry. Start at any of the checkpoints. 01983 882774, www.cycleisland.co.uk. |
| 26 |
Mottistone Manor House Open Day Mottistone. For only one day a year, the medieval and Elizabethan manor house is open to the public. Guided tours available for National Trust members only between 10am-12 noon. Rest of the public welcome 2pm-5.30pm. Gardens open as usual. 01983 741302, www.nationaltrust.org.uk. |
| 23-26 |
Wight Diamond Biking Festival Ninham Farm, Shanklin. Dubbed a ”three-day party on two wheels”, this festival centring on the two-day Wight Diamond Challenge returns with cool trails, live music, barbecues and fun events. 0118 976 2491, www.trailbreak.co.uk. |
| 30-1 June |
Yarmouth Old Gaffers Festival Yarmouth Harbour. Sir Robin Knox-Johnston is opening this year’s festival, which is celebrating All Things Maritime. The harbour fills with more than 100 colourful vessels, while on shore you can enjoy live music, street entertainment, classic cars, a craft fair and flower festival. 01983 761704, www.yarmoutholdgaffersfestival.co.uk. |
| 13-15 |
Isle of Wight Festival Seaclose Park, Newport. This year’s mega line-up includes The Police, Sex Pistols, Kaiser Chiefs, The Kooks, KT Tunstall, Lily Allen, Kate Nash, Sugababes and The Stranglers. 08705 321321, www.isleofwightfestival.com. |
| 28 |
JP Morgan Asset Management Round the Island Race Cowes. Best views for this renowned yachting event are from the Needles Old Battery, where you can have breakfast in the tea-room. 01983 296621, www.roundtheisland.org.uk. |
| 5 |
Brading in the Park Beechgrove Playing Fields, Brading. A family event with Island bands, musicians and artists. 01983 406529, www.bradingday.org. |
| 5-6 1940s |
Weekend at the Isle of Wight Steam Railway Havenstreet Railway. Enjoy music, dancing and rides in vintage locomotives and military vehicles. 01983 882204, www.iwsteamrailway.co.uk. |
| 6 |
Brading Day Beechgrove Playing Fields, Brading. Summer show with the Horticultural & Crafts tent a highlight, offering over 100 classes ranging from vegetables and flowers to cookery and arts and crafts. 01983 406529, www.bradingday.org. |
| 19 |
Last Night of the Osborne Proms East Cowes. An explosive evening of Strauss, Tchaikovsky, Mozart, Elgar, Vaughan Williams and more with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra. 01202 669925, www.bsolive.com. |
| 29-30 |
Sandown Carnival Sandown. The Children’s Procession is on 29 July, with the Main Procession the following day, featuring street performers, bands and floats. 01983 405060, www.sandowncarnival.com. |
| 26 |
Mottistone Jazz The 21st anniversary of this delightful event. Take a picnic and enjoy great music in the beautiful gardens of Mottistone Manor. 01983 740689, www.nationaltrust.org.uk. |
| 25-28 |
Day Out with Thomas at the Isle of Wight Steam Railway Havenstreet Station. Join the famous little engine and enjoy train rides, bouncy castles, magic shows and more. 01983 882204, www.iwsteamrailway.co.uk. |
| 2-9 |
Skandia Cowes Week Cowes. Eight days of world-class sailing, combining serious competitions with fun events and a riot of shoreside entertainment for 80,000 spectators. There are “Try sailing” sessions, run by Skandia, and Ladies’ Day on 7 August. 01983 295744, www.skandiacowesweek.co.uk. |
| 16-17 |
Isle of Wight Garlic Festival Newchurch. This unique event, celebrating the Island’s pungent bulb, offers every conceivable garlic product, from sausages to ice cream, and activities including live entertainment. 01983 863566, www.garlic-festival.co.uk. |
| 20 |
Cowes Main Carnival Cowes. The highlight of the Cowes carnival calendar kicks off in Ward Avenue, with judging at 6pm and the procession beginning at 7pm. The Illuminated Carnival takes place on 23 August. 01983 282308, www.cowescarnival.co.uk. |
| 22-25 |
Isle of Wight International Scooter Rally Smallbrook Stadium, Ryde. Thousands of enthusiasts pour into Ryde to exhibit their colourful vintage machines and enjoy a mass ride-out on the Sunday. www.vfmscoot.co.uk. |
| 22-25 |
Island Steam Show Isle of Wight Steam Railway, Havenstreet Station. Arena events, vehicle displays, beer tent, steam rides and more. 01983 882204, www.iwsteamrailway.co.uk. |
| Every weekend |
Feathered Friends Month Amazon World Zoo Park, near Arreton. Demonstrations and workshops covering all kinds of birds, from toucans, parrots and flamingos to birds of prey. 01983 867122, www.amazonworld.co.uk. |
| 11-14 |
Little Britain Challenge Cup Cowes. Organised by and for the construction industry, this major racing event features high-level industry professionals competing in four races. 01983 248140, www.littlebritain.co.uk |
| 5-7 |
Bestival Robin Hill Country Park, Newport. Three-day music festival curated by BBC Radio 1 DJ Rob da Bank, with over 400 acts across 14 stages and music ranging from electronic and ambient to folk, rock and pop. Comedy tent, chill-out areas, fancy-dress. 020 7379 3133, www.bestival.net. |
| 13-21 |
Isle of Wight Cycling Festival Back this year is the crazy Sink or Swim event, where cyclists try to cross the River Medina by pedal power, the gruelling 65-mile Round the Island road route and the Hill Killer. Fear not, gentler routes are available! 01983 203891, www.sunseasandcycling.com/. |
| 18-21 |
White Air Extreme Sports Festival Yaverland, Sandown. More than 500 competitors from 40 countries come together to compete in water, beach, urban, air and land sports. There are also have-a-go public sessions, parties, art and live music. 01983 760553, www.whiteair.co.uk. |
| 19-21 |
Isle of Wight Folk & Blues Festival Ventnor. After its successful launch last year, the new festival, which sees itself as a family-friendly event, is back for a second run. Expect to see the cream of folk and blues, from roots to contemporary. 01983 856200, www.iowfolkblues.co.uk. |
| Every weekend |
Green Issues Month Amazon World Zoo Park, near Arreton. Displays and workshops focusing on how to make your homes and gardens “greener”, from helping local wildlife hibernate to recycling and conservation. 01983 867122, www.amazonworld.co.uk. |
Before you go:
Please ensure that you confirm the times and locations of events before setting out, as they may be subject to change. Visit www.iwight.com for full events listings or contact Cultural and Leisure Services on 01983 821000.
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