What’s On Guide
- Isle of Wight Festival
Don’t miss any events during your visit
Our what’s on guide is updated throughout the year, bringing you events to suit all ages and interests across the Isle of Wight. Annual favourites include the Isle of Wight Festival and Cowes Week, the famous Round the Island Yacht Race, Walk the Wight and of course the Garlic Festival.
Every month brings countless opportunities to enjoy live music at venues across the Island, from pubs like The Spyglass Inn to The Wight Proms and Jack Up Events. During the summer months, don’t miss our historic town carnivals and local favourites, such as The Chale Show and the Royal Isle of Wight County Show.
Many of our leading attractions also host special events to keep you entertained, including the Isle of Wight Steam Railway, Blackgang Chine, Robin Hill and The Needles Landmark Attraction.
Our Isle of Wight events guide is always packed with diverse and entertaining activities, so you don’t need to miss a thing.
What's on all year round
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Bear Photography Workshops
Wildheart Animal Sanctuary
,
Sandown
|
4 April - 19 September 2026
Join the Wildheart Animal Sanctuary’s new Bear Photography Workshops – a half-day experience perfect for beginners, keen amateurs, or anyone with a passion for nature. Using either a DSLR or just your mobile phone, you’ll enjoy exclusive, safely sectioned access to photograph the resident bears from unique vantage points. With expert tuition from professional wildlife photographer KJ Dudley, you’ll learn simple techniques to capture expressive, dynamic images while building confidence behind the camera. Dates Available:
Fish & Chip Evenings
Isle of Wight Steam Railway
,
Havenstreet
|
7 July - 25 August 2026
Head to the Isle of Wight Steam Railway on Tuesday evenings in July and August for a relaxed evening that includes a proper Fish and Chip supper. Ride through the Island’s countryside in the luxury of an Edwardian carriage pulled by a historic steam locomotive. Enjoy an evening drink sat inside or outside the Barn Café while you watch the kids let off their own steam in the park and play area.
New Forest & Hampshire County Show
New Forest
|
28 - 30 July 2026
New Forest & Hampshire County Show is the quintessential agricultural show! Three days of show jumping, displays and livestock competitions, including cattle and sheep, poultry section, rabbits, cage birds, and even honey bees. Wander around the tradestands, where you can pick up treats for your dogs, equipment for your horses, clothes and accessories, homeware and delicious food and drink from local producers!
Summer Fest at Blackgang Chine
Blackgang Chine
,
Chale
|
29 July - 26 August 2026
Every Wednesday, soak up the sun at Summer Fest, the Isle of Wight’s biggest family-friendly summer event at Blackgang Chine! Enjoy daytime entertainment in Cowboy Town and then delve into the epic foam parties, dance away to the live DJ and gaze towards the night skies for Blackgang Chine’s famous firework displays in the evening! Enjoy thrilling rides and shake your stuff to the sounds of the summer as the sun goes down.
Sailing Through Royal History Exhibition
Cowes
|
31 July - 29 August 2026
Popping up in Cowes, a brand-new exhibition from The Royal Yacht Britannia Trust, ‘Sailing Through Royal History’, celebrates Britannia’s enduring connection with Cowes, its community and the close Royal links to legendary local yacht designer and builder Uffa Fox. Hosted in the historic Commodores House, the exhibition will run from 31 July – 29 August 2026. Central to the experience will be COWESLIP, the most celebrated of the Flying Fifteen keelboats, once sailed by the Royal Family. “Do you remember when HMY Britannia was a familiar and much-loved sight at Cowes Week from her launch in 1954 through to her...
Newport Main Carnival
Newport
|
1 August 2026
Newport Main Carnival brings a burst of colour, music and community spirit to the heart of the Isle of Wight each summer. This much-loved event features dazzling floats, marching bands and performers as the town comes alive with festive energy and local pride. The carnival procession departs from Church Litten, South Street and Town Lane at 19:00, winding its way through Newport before finishing at the Lower High Street. Visitors can enjoy family-friendly fun, live entertainment and a fantastic atmosphere throughout the evening. Best Viewpoints Include: South Street and High Street, or Trafalgar Road and The Mall can be a...
Cowes Week
Cowes
|
1 - 7 August 2026
Playing a key role in the British sporting calendar, Cowes Week is one of the UK’s longest-running and most successful events of its kind. Now boasting up to 40 daily races for 1,000 boats. With 8,500 sailing competitors of all levels, a unique atmosphere and a huge range of entertainment shoreside, there’s plenty of atmosphere for spectators to enjoy.
