Events on The Isle of Wight

Events on The Isle of Wight, this very pretty little island, are outstanding for variety and interest. There is always something going on.

The Isle of Wight is arguably the smallest ceremonial county in England, but it packs a punch for scenery and events. Whatever you are looking for this intriguing island seems to provide! Events on the Isle of Wight include such delights as Music Festivals, Walking Festivals, Cycling Festivals and the list goes on and on.

Newport is the capital. Cowes is the centre of sailing, arguably in the United Kingdom and the world, Ryde is a sandy seaside resort and an entrance for the ferries from Portsmouth. Sandown and Shanklin have two of the prettiest beaches. Ventnor is a joy, if hilly. Places worth visiting are aplenty, some lovely hideaways not mentioned here!

February

Shrove Tuesday.
Pancake Races at Yarmouth in the Square. In 2012 this event will be held on Tuesday 21st February.

The 20th Annual Hedgelaying competition will be held at New Barn Farm Calbourne on 25th February 2012 from 10am to 3.30pm. An old art and a competition of skill! Lots of prizes for competitors. Spectators welcome, so come and watch this ancient art in practice both with machine and hand tools.

March

The CBK Grand National and Ashey Scurry Sunday March 25th 2012. West Ashey Farm, Ryde

April

Mother's Day Special Sunday 18th March 2012. An event for Mum and the whole family. A special treat for Mum. Ride the Isle of Wight Steam Railway, have lunch at the Refreshment Rooms and Mum's who take the ride get a free gift!

Ryde Harriers Open Newport to Ryde Road Race April 7th 2012 Easter Saturday, 7 Miles Multi-Terrain.

Isle of Wight Spring Garden Show An attractive event to be held in April. April 29th Robin Hill Adventure Park and Gardens. Sadly was cancelled due to waterlogged gardens.

The West Wight Three Hills Open Race organised by The Ryde Harriers is on April 9th 2012 Easter Monday. Scenic 8 miles of undulating country.

Mayfest is an old fashioned celebration of May Day. Great fun. For residents and visitors alike this is a very pleasant weekend from Friday April 29th to Monday May 2nd 2012. Venue is Yarmouth Green, Yarmouth.

Isle of Wight Jazz Festival The IOW Jazz Festival is on the move and hopes to be up and running again in 2012. The Festival organisers thank all those who have followed their troubles and who have been asking when the next IOW Jazz Festival will be. We will keep an eye on developments.

May

Spring Real Ale Festival to be held on 5th, 6th and 7th May 2012 in the Havenstreet Station Isle of Wight Steam Railway. Free admission to the Festival, open from 11am till 10pm on Saturday and Sunday and from 11am till 5pm on Bank Holiday Monday. Includes a display by the Haven Falconry each day.

Isle of Wight Randonee. The event this year will be held on Sunday 6th May 2012. This year's rides will be in an clockwise direction and there is a choice of 100km and 55km rides. Event starts at 9am and finishes at 6pm. No entry fee, no need to pre-register. Start at any of the checkpoints on the day. Pre-registration will be available again in 2012, and opened up in March for participants to register for the event. Popular event through some pretty countryside.

The Isle of Wight Walking Festival This is the UK's Largest Walking Festival - The Isle of Wight Walking Festival will be held between 5th to 20th May 2012 - There will be about 300 walks to choose from! Why not make it spring break. Lovely idea.

Walk the Wight. for the Isle of Wight Hospice is to be held on Sunday 13th May 2012. Registration is now open. There is a main walk over the hills and a Flat Walk.
The Main walk is along walking trails across including the Bembridge and Tennyson Trails. A choice of three distances
26.5 miles – Bembridge to Needles Park (7-10 hours)
12.5 miles – Bembridge to Carisbrooke (3-5 hours)
14 miles – Carisbrooke to Needles Park (4-7 hours).
The Flat walk is along cycle trails and starts at Sandown High School, Fairway, Sandown 9.30 -11.30 am. Finishes at Thompsons Trees, Shide Road, just outside Newport by National Tyre Service 11am – 4pm.
This is all over beautiful countryside.

The Wight Challenge Two events this year - the first is on Saturday 19th May 2012. A Charity challenge event with three events within it for teams of three. All members of a team must complete each challenge.
A 18m mountain bike ride,
3m open canoeing,
and 8m running challenge.

Big Wight Enduro Returns this year!!!! This was once the part of the Wight Diamond Festival and is now the The Big Wight Enduro. 19th May 2012. This one will be superb - over great off road country. Stunning and challenging!!!

Yarmouth Old Gaffer's Festival Thousands flock to this festival in Yarmouth every year. An Old Gaffer??? To those in the know it is a fore and aft rigged sailing ship. (Not an old country yokel!!) This lovely harbour is filled - the cream of the Old Gaffers fleet will be there, plus visiting traditional sailing, steam and motor vessels This year the festival will be held between 25th to 27th May 2012. Masses of free entertainment on the shore.

June

You will need to book a ferry ticket early and accommodation books out quickly. Try here. This page can sort out accommodation not only on the Island but all over the world. Quite easy to use and informative.

Brading 10k Open Road Race Organised by Ryde Harriers is on June 17th 2012.

Isle of Wight off-road Bike Ride 2012 Another one for the cyclist in you. It will be held on 16th June 2012 based on Newport. There is a fully signed 100km challenge and shorter routes that are not so challenging of 75 and 50 kms. Starts at Carisbrooke High School, Mountbatten Drive, Newport.

Ihe lsle of Wight Midsummer Jazz Festival presented by the Isle of Wight Steam Railway in the three-acre field adjoining Havenstreet Station their main centre. Date to be advised.

JP Morgan Asset Management Round the Island Race 30th June 2012 This is one of the most popular sailing event on the calendar, Entries are now open. Spectacular sight!!!!

July

Wight Ferry Sportive is only in its second year, but already a popular event. Get in quick, selling out fast!! It is being held on 7th and 8th July 2012 and starts at Brockenhurst in Hampshire, has a New Forest ride followed by a lap of the Isle of Wight. Lovely countryside. Choice of Epic and standard lengths.

Last Night of the Osborne Proms 2011 will be held on Saturday 21st July 2012 at Osborne House by the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra.

August

Cowes Week

There is just nothing like it - the imcomparable Cowes Week. 11th to 18th August 2012. The oldest and largest sailing carnival in the whole World. Thousands of competitors and spectators. The dates are later this year to miss the Olympic sailing events

Rolex Fastnet Race is run every two years and the next race will be on 11th August 2013. Entries will open in January 2013.

The Isle of Wight Half marathon Open Road Race Organised by The Ryde Harriers is on August 19th 2012.

September

Little Britain Challenge Cup 6th to the 9th September 2012. The premiere construction and property industry event. Three days of racing in the regatta plus shore entertainment.

The Wight Challenge Two events this year - the second is on 22nd September 2012. A Charity challenge event with three events within it for teams of three. All members of a team must complete each challenge.
A 18m mountain bike ride,
3m open canoeing,
and 8m running challenge.

October

Isle of Wight Open Marathon will be held on October 7th 2012

The Autumn Walking Weekend The Weekend will be held on 26th to 29th October 2012. This Festival gets bigger. Wonderful weekend for the walker!

Events in November

Sandown Carnival, Fireworks and Celebrations> will be held on 5th November 2012. Fun for all the family, parades, stalls, fireworks. Starts at 6pm.

A Victorian Christmas. 2012 details not yet known.

December

Yarmouth - Carols in the Square 2012 details not yet known.

Anyone with events on The Isle of Wight who would like to list their event here please contact us via the Feedback form, we would love to hear from you. The event should have its own website so that our visitors can find you and obtain more information.

The events on the Isle of Wight should be capable of attracting crowds, large village fete size and above, similar to those listed here.

Our observations show that www.travelwessex.com's main visitors are those that love walking, cycling, horse riding and other like minded pursuits, but we welcome all attractions as we have many other visitors as well that we love to cater for. Posting events on this page is free.

We reserve the right not to include events on The Isle of Wight that are not suitable for legal or other reasons.

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