Isle of Wight Events

6th April 2008

The Annual Isle of Wight Grand National and Ashey Scurry will be taking place on 6th April 2008 at West Ashey Farm, Ryde.

http://www.iw-scurry.co.uk/index.html

11th-13th April 2008

World-class Jazz opens the Island's musical calendar with an exciting programme of over 40 main concerts and fringe gigs, featuring jazz superstars playing a wide range of jazz genres from New Orleans through Latin, Funk and Swing to Contemporary.

http://www.iowjazzfestival.co.uk/

3rd-18th May 2008

Did you know that every May the Isle of Wight hosts the UK's largest walking festival?

Not surprising when you learn that it has over 500 miles of well-maintained and signposted footpaths around 30 miles of Heritage Coastline, while more than half of the Island is recognised as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

www.isleofwightwalkingfestival.co.uk

9th to 11th May 2008

www.ribexhibitions.co.uk

23rd to 26th May 2008

Summer kicks off with the Big Wight Mountain Bike Festival. First run in 1996, this festival has established itself as a 'don't miss' event for hundreds of bikers. It's unique combination of superb riding, events to suit everyone, on site camping, catering, bar and entertainment have earned it a reputation as the best mountain bikers party on the calendar!

www.trailbreak.co.uk/wdc/index.php

June 2008 dates tbc

During the Festival, Yarmouth's picturesque harbour will be filled with life and colour with more than 100 visiting traditional sailing, steam and motor vessels, including the cream of the Old Gaffers fleet.  On shore there will be a huge range of attractions keeping the thousands of visitors entertained from morning till night all weekend

http://www.yarmoutholdgaffersfestival.co.uk/

13th to 15th June 2008

28th June 2008

The country's largest yacht race features over 1500 boats racing a 50 mile course around the Island.  This truly is one of the most spectacular sights on the Island.

www.roundtheisland.org.uk

July 2008 dates tbc

Nowhere is the Island’s friendly, community spirit more evident than in its town carnivals that take place throughout the season. This season comprises approximately 17 Carnivals, 6 of which are illuminated, plus lantern processions throughout the year including the biggest, which takes place annually in Ryde on the last Sunday in November

www.sandowncarnival.com

2nd to 9th August 2008

There’s nothing quite like Cowes Week – the sailing is great for spectators and competitors alike as well as a fantastic line up of live entertainment day and night. And if you only come for a day, make sure it’s Friday 8 August – as this is when the Annual Grand Fireworks Display takes place. Conducted from a pontoon moored in the Solent off Marine Esplanade (to the West of the Royal Yacht Squadron), hundreds of vessels from pleasure steamers to small power-boats lie at anchor, whilst the shore is packed with thousands of spectators watching the fireworks light up the sea and night sky with an amazing burst of colour.

www.skandiacowesweek.co.uk

Dates to be Confirmed

Now in it’s 23rd year, the Garlic Festival is a weekend to celebrate the Islanders’ feat of selling garlic to the French! The event takes place at Newchurch (A3056 Newport - Sandown road) with over 250 stallholders selling such delights as garlic beer and garlic ice cream as well as a wealth of other locally produced delicacies. Further entertainment includes live music from local bands and displays from mountain bike daredevils.

 www.garlic-festival.co.uk

18th to 21st Sept 2008

Water, beach, urban, air and land sports, art and live music stage. Over 40 countries competing and over 500 competitors. World champions in 18 action sports 

 www.whiteair.co.uk

date tbc

Sandown Illuminated Carnival Parade is one of the biggest on the island featuring, fire, hundreds of spectacular costumes, amazing floats and bands parading through the town's streets, all lit with thousands of colourful lights. Simply an amazing atmosphere!!!

 www.sandowncarnival.com

11th to 14th Sept 2008

The Little Britain Challenge Cup, the construction industry regatta, is held in Cowes on the Isle of Wight, home of world yachting.

It allows everyone from MD's and designers to quantity surveyors and builders to escape the world of breezeblocks and blue prints and rub shoulders with notable faces in the sailing world, for a couple of days sailing in the Solent. The 200-yacht event is now the largest industry event in Europe and is the biggest in Britain after Skandia Cowes Week

 www.littlebritain.co.uk

5th to 7th Sept 2008

3 days of boutique festival fun for happy campers. 8 stages of live music, cabaret, DJ's and festival fun.

 www.bestival.net

5th Nov 2008

Sandown Lantern Parade marks the final carnival of the season with a spectacular parade of over 200 lanters culminating in a grand fireworks display.

 www.sandowncarnival.com