Isle of Wight Tourist Guide - Articles
Isle of Wight Events
Below is a list of Isle of Wight events for 2009. Whatever your interests, there is always plenty of things to do for all ages, including music festivals, carnivals, sailing regattas and beer festivals. The Isle of Wight is not just a holiday destination for the spring and summer, try a visit in the autumn and winter too - you will not be disappointed. Every year, the events on the Island get better and better and bigger and bigger, so read on to find out what Isle of Wight events are scheduled for 2009.
MARCH 2009
Sat 21 Mar
Spring Blues 2009 with Errol Linton's Blues Vibe
One of the UKs leading bluesmen, Errol Linton will be headlining the fifth annual Spring Blues concert, to be held at Ventnor Winter Gardens. Three times winner of Blues Harp Player of the year, Errol Linton and band The Blues Vibe, play eclectic British blues, but with a nod to his Caribbean heritage. If you like to boogie, this band is a must! Starts 7.30pm. Visit: www.myspace.com/errollinton
Support is from The Amen Boogie Blues Band - a local band who, while gigging the IOW pub circuit during the last 10 years, have built a reputation as one of the Islands top blues acts. Visit: www.myspace.com/amenboogiebluesband
Tickets: £12 advance / £14 on the door - available from Ventnor Winter Gardens box office. Tel: 01983 857581
APRIL 2009
Fri 17 - Sun 19 Apr
Isle of Wight Jazz Festival
The Isle of Wight Jazz Festival 2009 takes place on various stages in the surrounding area of East Dene at Bonchurch, at the eastern end of Ventnor, the self-proclaimed Capital of Jazz in the Deep South. Stroll around between the Stroller stages on a Day Pass or Weekend Stroller ticket, or buy specific event tickets for special concerts in the local church and the main night shows at the Spiegel Theater, or simply do the Isle of Wight Jazz Festival on a Jazz PLATINUM ticket. Whichever way you do it, the Isle of Wight Jazz Festival offers a boutique experience, packaged up in a bundle of all types of jazz for one wonderful weekend every April. Acts performing this year include: The James Taylor Quartet, Neon, Ray Gelato & the Giants with special guest Claire Martin, plus many more. For tickets call 01983 856200. Website: www.iowjazzfestival.co.uk
MAY 2009
Fri 8 - Sun 10 May
Ribex 2009
Ribex is held at Cowes Yacht Haven and is the only boat show in the world that is dedicated exclusively to rigid inflatable boats. Website: www.ribexhibitions.co.uk
Sat 9 - Sun 24 May
Isle of Wight Walking Festival
The Isle of Wight Walking Festival has been held on the Island every May since 1999 and is the largest walking festival in the UK. It is an extremely popular event and attracts huge numbers from all over the world.The festival offers more than 100 guided walks that cater for all ages and abilities. Included in the festival is "Walk the Wight", a long distance sponsored walk, with proceeds going to the Earl Mountbatten Hospice. Website: www.isleofwightwalkingfestival.co.uk
Fri 29 - Sun 31 May
Yarmouth Old Gaffers Festival
Three days of free entertainment, craft stalls, live music and much more. The Old Gaffers, so called because of the traditional gaff rig, travel from all over the country to participate in these wonderful festivities held in the ancient town of Yarmouth. Website: www.yarmoutholdgaffersfestival.co.uk
JUNE 2009
Fri 12 - Sun 14 June
Isle of Wight Festival
Major UK music festival held at Seaclose Park, Newport. The 2009 line-up includes: The Prodigy, Basement Jaxx, Pendulum and The Ting Tings. Website: www.isleofwightfestival.com
Sat 20 June
Round The Island Race
JPMorgan Asset Management Round The Island Race is the largest and most famous yachting race in the world. The race starts and finishes at Cowes and covers a 50 mile course around the Isle of Wight. Some of the biggest names in the sailing world compete with weekend sailors and family crews in this annual yachting extravaganza. Website: www.roundtheisland.org.uk
AUGUST 2009
Sat 1 - Sat 8 Aug
Cowes Week
Cowes Week is probably the most well known of all Isle of Wight events, with around 1000 boats and 8500 competitors taking part in this world famous sailing regatta. With its exciting racing schedule and superb shore side activities, Cowes Week offers something for everyone. Dont miss the spectacular fireworks display on Friday (7th) starting at 9.30pm. Website: www.cowesweek.co.uk
Sat 29 - Mon 31 Aug
Isle of Wight Scooter Rally
Held at Smallbrook Stadium in Ryde, this is widely recognised as the biggest scooter event in the world. A fun-packed weekend for the scooter enthusiast culminating with a round the Island ride-out, this is an event that just has to be attended by every self-respecting scooterist. For more information visit: www.vfmscoot.co.uk
SEPTEMBER 2009
Fri 11 - Sun 13 Sept
Bestival
Sunday Best's Bestival is held at Robin Hill Country Park on the outskirts of Newport and is regularly voted the "Best Medium Sized Festival" at the UK Music Festival Awards. Website: www.bestival.net
MARCH 2009
Sat 21 Mar
Spring Blues 2009 with Errol Linton's Blues Vibe
One of the UKs leading bluesmen, Errol Linton will be headlining the fifth annual Spring Blues concert, to be held at Ventnor Winter Gardens. Three times winner of Blues Harp Player of the year, Errol Linton and band The Blues Vibe, play eclectic British blues, but with a nod to his Caribbean heritage. If you like to boogie, this band is a must! Starts 7.30pm. Visit: www.myspace.com/errollinton
Support is from The Amen Boogie Blues Band - a local band who, while gigging the IOW pub circuit during the last 10 years, have built a reputation as one of the Islands top blues acts. Visit: www.myspace.com/amenboogiebluesband
Tickets: £12 advance / £14 on the door - available from Ventnor Winter Gardens box office. Tel: 01983 857581
APRIL 2009
Fri 17 - Sun 19 Apr
Isle of Wight Jazz Festival
The Isle of Wight Jazz Festival 2009 takes place on various stages in the surrounding area of East Dene at Bonchurch, at the eastern end of Ventnor, the self-proclaimed Capital of Jazz in the Deep South. Stroll around between the Stroller stages on a Day Pass or Weekend Stroller ticket, or buy specific event tickets for special concerts in the local church and the main night shows at the Spiegel Theater, or simply do the Isle of Wight Jazz Festival on a Jazz PLATINUM ticket. Whichever way you do it, the Isle of Wight Jazz Festival offers a boutique experience, packaged up in a bundle of all types of jazz for one wonderful weekend every April. Acts performing this year include: The James Taylor Quartet, Neon, Ray Gelato & the Giants with special guest Claire Martin, plus many more. For tickets call 01983 856200. Website: www.iowjazzfestival.co.uk
MAY 2009
Fri 8 - Sun 10 May
Ribex 2009
Ribex is held at Cowes Yacht Haven and is the only boat show in the world that is dedicated exclusively to rigid inflatable boats. Website: www.ribexhibitions.co.uk
Sat 9 - Sun 24 May
Isle of Wight Walking Festival
The Isle of Wight Walking Festival has been held on the Island every May since 1999 and is the largest walking festival in the UK. It is an extremely popular event and attracts huge numbers from all over the world.The festival offers more than 100 guided walks that cater for all ages and abilities. Included in the festival is "Walk the Wight", a long distance sponsored walk, with proceeds going to the Earl Mountbatten Hospice. Website: www.isleofwightwalkingfestival.co.uk
Fri 29 - Sun 31 May
Yarmouth Old Gaffers Festival
Three days of free entertainment, craft stalls, live music and much more. The Old Gaffers, so called because of the traditional gaff rig, travel from all over the country to participate in these wonderful festivities held in the ancient town of Yarmouth. Website: www.yarmoutholdgaffersfestival.co.uk
JUNE 2009
Fri 12 - Sun 14 June
Isle of Wight Festival
Major UK music festival held at Seaclose Park, Newport. The 2009 line-up includes: The Prodigy, Basement Jaxx, Pendulum and The Ting Tings. Website: www.isleofwightfestival.com
Sat 20 June
Round The Island Race
JPMorgan Asset Management Round The Island Race is the largest and most famous yachting race in the world. The race starts and finishes at Cowes and covers a 50 mile course around the Isle of Wight. Some of the biggest names in the sailing world compete with weekend sailors and family crews in this annual yachting extravaganza. Website: www.roundtheisland.org.uk
AUGUST 2009
Sat 1 - Sat 8 Aug
Cowes Week
Cowes Week is probably the most well known of all Isle of Wight events, with around 1000 boats and 8500 competitors taking part in this world famous sailing regatta. With its exciting racing schedule and superb shore side activities, Cowes Week offers something for everyone. Dont miss the spectacular fireworks display on Friday (7th) starting at 9.30pm. Website: www.cowesweek.co.uk
Sat 29 - Mon 31 Aug
Isle of Wight Scooter Rally
Held at Smallbrook Stadium in Ryde, this is widely recognised as the biggest scooter event in the world. A fun-packed weekend for the scooter enthusiast culminating with a round the Island ride-out, this is an event that just has to be attended by every self-respecting scooterist. For more information visit: www.vfmscoot.co.uk
SEPTEMBER 2009
Fri 11 - Sun 13 Sept
Bestival
Sunday Best's Bestival is held at Robin Hill Country Park on the outskirts of Newport and is regularly voted the "Best Medium Sized Festival" at the UK Music Festival Awards. Website: www.bestival.net