The sound of this year’s Isle of Wight Festival is fading on the summer breeze (what a cracking weekend it was though). However, it’s now time to set your sights on the rest of the summer events this year.
Easing you into the summer season is Rhythmtree. Said to be the Island’s most eclectic music festival taking place at Thorness Bay from 8 – 10 July. A fun, family friendly event, the festival has a relaxed and inclusive vibe. Settle back and listen to music around the site from headliners; Turin Brakes, The Wailers and The Fatback Band as well as local favourites such as Angelina and Jukebox Jazz.
Full of bright and vibrant stalls and kidzone areas, children will love exploring the various facilities including face painting and glitter. Whether you’re heading down for just a day or camping onsite over the weekend you’re guaranteed a chilled event set in beautiful surroundings.
During July and August – on various dates – Robin Hill has bought back The Woodland Sessions and this year it’s bigger and better than ever! Russell Watson, Russell Kane, and Sigma are just three of the many big acts playing The Woodland Sessions during July & August. A unique series of intimate outdoor concerts, the shows will take place in Robin Hill’s unique, illuminated woodland valley.
The Woodland Sessions Comedy kicks off the summer series on Friday 15th July with well-known TV comedians Russell Kane, Marcus Brigstocke, Angela Barnes, and Suzi Ruffell.
Woodland Sessions Party on Saturday July 16th sees the popular return of the hugely in demand Rhythm Of The 90’s, the UK’s undisputed number one 90’s dance covers party starters.
26 years on from supporting Oasis at their legendary Knebworth concerts, the world’s biggest Beatles tribute show, The Bootleg Beatles make their Isle of Wight debut at Woodland Sessions Icons on Friday 22nd July, complete with a strings and brass ensemble and 40 years of international sell out shows behind them.
Woodland Sessions Dance on Friday August 12th brings back memories of Bestival’s past at Robin Hill. The Island’s most exciting summer dance party stars two of the world’s finest drum & bass acts. Sigma have been at the forefront of the UK scene for over 10 years, attracting stars such as Take That, Paloma Faith, Rita Ora, Labrinth and Birdy to lend their vocals to their radio-friendly crossover hits, whilst Dimension is at the forefront of a new wave of dance music headliners.
And the summer series bows out with another Isle of Wight debut performance. Woodland Sessions Classical on Saturday 13th August features a very rare intimate show from one of the world’s very best classical singers, Russell Watson.
Saunter south from 22 – 31 July for Ventnor Fringe. A rich and varied event that envelops the entire town in arts, culture and of course live music with pop-ups appearing all through the town.
This multi-award-winning festival is now in its 12th edition and attracts over 8,000 people to the sunny shores of Ventnor. Fringe Friday’s see’s London post punk band Goat Girl perform a special one-off headline show. Need a good old belly laugh? Simon Brodkin set is ‘daft comedy’ at its best. There will also be live shows from Hotel Paradiso, The Good Times Show and some impromptu Shakespeare plus so much more still to be announced. Head into one of the local cafes, restaurants and pubs to refuel and experience all Ventnor has to offer.
If you missed the Royal Isle of Wight County Show back in June then a visit to Chale Show on 6 & 7 August is a must. An award-winning proper country style fair that is fit for all the family. With over 2000 exhibits due this year it’s set to the biggest Chale Show to date. You’ll love wandering around the vintage vehicles, crafty stalls and farmers’ market. There’s live entertainment over both days plus fairground rounds and spectacular shows. If you haven’t been before, make this year the tear you go.
Jack Up your summer at the Boutique Mini-Fest, a family-friendly celebration of music from 60s through to the 90s over the weekend of 13 and 14 August at Hazelgrove Farm, just a stone’s throw from Ryde.
Every member of the family will be singing along to hits performed by tribute acts for the legendary Sir Tom Jones, the late Meat Loaf, the queen of pop, Madonna and a mash-up of Goi West, Spandau Ballet and Duran Duran from Go Span Duran. Tuck in to tasty food from local sellers and producers and take in your beautiful countryside surroundings. A major tick in the festival box is that there are no typical ‘festi-loos’ as all tickets include access to ‘posh-loos’… yay!
For those with an ear for classical music, the hugely popular Wight Proms returns to Northwood House between 16 – 21 August. The event has grown since it first appeared in our calendars five years ago and now includes comedy sets and snippets from popular musicals.
This year, the six day spectacular finale ‘Last Wight at the Proms’ will feature vocal quartet G4, you may remember them from the very first season of X-Factor. 2022 sees two brand new shows, appealing to a much wider audience. The award-winning Horrible Histories live show will get little-ones learning by stealth while having a whale of time.
Fly those rainbow flags and choose love as the proms encompasses Isle of Wight Pride on Wednesday 17 August. Sashay away to Cowes as drag sensations Ella Vaday, Chorizo May and Kitty Scott-Claus (from BBC Three RuPaul’s Drag Race) are here for a one night only special… get ready for comedy, chaos and lip syncing sensational shows.
For a short journey across the Solent on board either our Fishbourne to Portsmouth car ferry or a 22 minute fast cast journey from Ryde Pier Head to Portsmouth for a Victorious Festival day out. Taking place over the August bank holiday weekend in Southsea this appropriately named event has headliners including the Stereophonics and James on the Friday with Paolo Nutini, Bastille and 90s music fans won’t want to miss Ocean Colour Scene. Closing the festival on Sunday includes acts such as Sam Fender, Ann Marie, Editors and Suede. A huge family friendly event with kid zones, mini funfairs and splash pool.
Here’s our handy top 10 tips to having a fab festival!
- Camping – decorating your tent so it’s easily spotted amongst the sea of canvas.
- Money belts – invest in a bum-bag (fanny-pack) or small bag to keep your money, phone and valuable on you at all times.
- Pack a poncho – get yourself on of those small rain coats to whip out at the sign of rain (it is the UK after all).
- Hydrate – water is a must. The combination of the sun (hopefully) and a few glasses of bubbly may leave you feeling a little less than ‘fest-fresh’.
- Snacidents – The queues for food may be crazy – pack a few non-perishable snacks to keep you going.
- Cleansers and face wipes – festival makeup and glitter can be stubborn and get everywhere. Stock up!
- Bathroom essentials – you’ll thank us for reminding you to take toilet paper and hand sanitisers.
- Charged up – portable battery charges will be your life line, we promise!
- Sounds of summer – Create a playlist of all the bands you’re going to see to get you in the festival vibe in the run up.
- Have a bloomin’ great time and don’t forget to tag isleofwight on Facebook and Instagram in your images!
