9 – 11 April

World class jazz, in an exciting programme of over 40 concerts.

8 – 23 May

Since it began in 1999, the two-week Isle of Wight Walking Festival has grown to become the biggest event of its kind in the UK with a record 270 walks and 24,500 people taking part in 2008. Walks are accompanied and graded, and range from short- story walks for kids to a 24-hour walk around the Island’s spectacular coastal path.

May T.B.C

Now in its 15th year the festival dubbed ‘a 3-day party on two wheels’ returns with live music, BBQ’s, plus some of the coolest trails and best riding around.

27 – 30 May

See Yarmouth’s picturesque harbour filled with more than 100 visiting traditional sailing, steam and motor vessels, including the cream of the ‘Old Gaffers’ fleet.  On shore there’s a huge range of fun activities keeping the 20,000 plus visitors entertained from morning till night.

19 June

This is sailing’s answer to the London Marathon as 1600 boats, crewed by some of the biggest names in sailing as well as keen amateur sailors, skim past The Needles, the Island’s distinctive rocky structure, round St Catherine’s Point and Bembridge Ledge and back into the Solent.   Watch the yachts round the Needles rocks and enjoy a hearty breakfast in the Needles Old Battery Café.

11 – 13 June

In the music festival calendar, June is now very much associated with the Isle of Wight Festival and 2009 will be no exception.  With previous headliners The Police, Kaiser Chiefs, Rolling Stones and Keane, the beautiful setting and connecting with past festival history creates a unique festival experience.

31 July – 6 August

The oldest and largest annual sailing regatta in the world.  Highlights include the Fastnet race on the final Sunday and Champagne Mumm Ladies Day.   A major part of Cowes Week is the carnival spirit, when the entertainment spills on to the streets of Cowes from aerobatic displays to fireworks over the sea.

14 & 15 August

An event held to celebrate the Isle of Wight’s position as the UK’s premier garlic growing region.   The centre of attention is the Garlic marquee, with many tempting products, including garlic-flavoured mussels, sausages, beer and even ice cream.

27 – 30 August

Awaiting info

9 – 12 September

A multi award-winning 3-day boutique music festival, curated by Radio 1 DJ Rob da Bank, Bestival is fun and quirky.  The annual dressing-up theme is always widely embraced, and attractions include the Come Dancing Spiegeltent and the Bollywood Bar.  Velvet-lined bivouacs, yurts and ‘poppads’ are tent alternatives, and there’s a crèche and acrobatics for kids.   Set in the leafy surrounds of Robin Hill Country Park on the Isle of Wight, it’s the best way to round off the summer festival season.

16 – 19 September

The LBCC is the largest annual, construction industry yachting regatta in Europe, with over 250 yachts taking part and over 3000 people racing.  The event is run by and for the construction industry and teams comprise contractors, property developers, architects and engineers.  In 2007, over £130,000 was raised for sailing charities.

September T.B.C

Rides vary from pleasant meanders through pretty villages to Cycle the Wight, a 70-mile road route around the Island’s spectacular coastline.  The festival kicks-off in Newport with a day of family entertainment, including the hilarious Sink or Swim.  Watch from the riverbank as home-made pedal-powered crafts attempt to make it across the River Medina without getting wet.

September T.B.C

Awaiting info