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Family Fun


There really is something for everyone and with the various events which take place on the Island, together with award winning beaches and spectacular scenery offer visitors a perfect way to explore the Island.

Island’s unspoilt winter landscape... And there’s seasonal refreshments for every adult and child!

National Trust: winter bird walk
19 February 2012, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Join us for a guided walk around Newtown National Nature Reserve looking at overwintering birds. Wellingtons recommended. Please bring binoculars if you have them. Sorry, assistance dogs only. Meet in the visitor point car park opposite Newtown Old Town Hall (SZ 423 906)

Easter Fun & Teddy Bears Outing 
6th, 7th, 8th & 9th April 2012
Treat yourself to a relaxing day out over the Easter break and enjoy the spectacle of some of the Island’s blossoming Spring-time countryside from the comfort of your seat on one of our steam trains! There’s a full menu of meals and light bites in our Refreshment Rooms, and plenty to keep the youngsters occupied with an Easter Treasure Hunt, Easter colouring and crafts. Plus we’re asking children to come in their Easter bonnets and join in our Easter Bonnet Parade each day at 1.45pm. (Children need to make bonnets in advance)

The Isle of Wight Walking Festival
5-20 May 2012
IslandwideNow in its 12th year this award winning festival has an eclectic mix of 200 walks over 16 days, from official trails and photographic tours to spectacular scenic hikes and seaside story walks for the kids - plus the famous Isle of Wight speed-dating walk!

Yarmouth Old Gaffers
25 – 27 May 2012
Yarmouth Family entertainment as Yarmouth's picturesque harbour is filled 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 activities keeping the 20,000 plus expected visitors entertained from morning till night all weekend.

Queen's Diamond Jubilee Celebrations in Yarmouth
3 Jun 2012 12:30 pm - 6:00 pm
Family Picnic on The Green, Yarmouth, to celebrate H.M. The Queen's Diamond Jubilee. All are welcome to attend. Located at The Green, Yarmouth, Isle of Wight.

Telephone: (01983) 756934

Isle of Wight Festival 
22-24 June 2012
Seaclose, Newport Bruce Springsteen has been announced for the 2012 Festival, keep checking the website for more acts to be announced. Previous years acts include The Police, The Who, David Bowie, REM,Coldplay, Rolling Stones, Foo Fights, Neil Young, Jay Z, Pink and Faithless

JP Morgan Fleming Round the Island Yacht Race
30 June 2012
Cowes The annual race around the Isle of Wight which from its small beginning in 1931 with just 25 entries, has grown to see a record 1600 boats complete the 60-mile course. Whether you're taking part or are just interested in this unique spectacle, you'll find the Island's coastline offers several vantage points for spectators to view the yachts close at hand, especially around the Needles and along the south coast.

Rhythmtree World Music Festival
20-22 July 2012
The Rhythmtree is a three day camping festival with day tickets available on Saturday and Sunday.Three stages; Main-stage, The Didge Cafe (with lots of comfy sofas and unplugged music performances) and the RhumbaRumBar with family dance workshops during the day and world music DJ's late into the evening.The festival brings together a diverse repertoire of music for those who want to experience something very different in the UK festival scene.

Day out with Thomas  
21 – 24 July 2012
Peep! Peep! Thomas the Tank Engine rolls into Havenstreet Station for five fun-filled days. Children, parents, and grandparents are invited to enter the magical world of Thomas & Friends at The Isle of Wight Steam Railway!

Take a ride behind a steam train, meet ‘Sir Topham Hatt’ and Mrs Kyndley, and enjoy a host of fun-filled activities with Thomas, the ‘Troublesome Trucks,’ Mavis the diesel engine and Trevor the traction engine. Take part in a treasure hunt and enjoy Punch & Judy and Magic shows. The children can let off steam on the bouncy castles and take a ride on a bumpy bus! There’s children’s roundabout rides and fun with Professor Crump the clown … And best of all everything is all included in the one admission price!

Cowes Week 
11 – 18 August 2012
Cowes This unique British sporting event, where men and women compete equally and where amateur sailors race against Olympic and World Champions, combines competitive racing with tremendous fun for the 8,500 competitors racing each day plus around 80,000 spectators who enjoy a fantastic line up of shoreside entertainment day and night..

Chale Show 2012 
4 - 5 August 2012, 11.00am – 5.00pm 
Chale showground
Probably the most traditional and distinguished family summer show on the Island. Boasting an incredible display of horticultural exhibits, a craft marquee, antique fair, farmers market, steam fair & vintage vehicles, the Chale Show has now been running for over 80-years

Ventnor Fringe Festival 2012  
15 Aug - 18 August 2012, 9.00am – 11.00pm
The Island’s unique take on the Edinburgh Fringe, which welcomes artists from across the world in a huge variety of disciplines, performing in venues across the town to co-inside with the annual Carnival Celebrations.

Isle of Wight Garlic Festival
18 & 19 August 2012
Sandown to Newport road - the A3056 - at the Fighting Cocks Crossroads, near NewchurchThis major family show celebrates the Island's position as the UK's premier garlic growing region. As you would expect, there's lots of lovely garlic-flavoured produce, plus live music, spectacular acrobatic demonstrations, magic shows for the kids and much more.

The 38 th Island Steam Show 
24th – 27th August 
Big Smiles All Round! ... An action-packed show and great family day out!
Gasp, cheer, laugh and enjoy the stunning shows in the main arena!

Be astonished with Mr Alexander's Travelling Show featuring astounding acts of juggling, balancing, uni-cycling and all kinds of feats of skill. See some silly things to do with traction engines, marvel at the fascinating working steam demonstrations, or go for something completely different and sample our ‘Sanctuary’ for a little pampering and indulgence.

 

Bestival 
6-9 September 2012
Robin Hill, near Newport This multi award-winning 3-day boutique music festival, curated by BBC Radio 1 DJ Rob da Bank, is a sure-fire way to round off the summer festival season. Previous acts include Lilly Allen, The Cure and Brian Wilson to name just a few! 2012 acts will be announced shortly.

Isle of Wight Apple Days Festival 
15 September 2012, 10.00am – 6.00pm
A celebration of the apple harvest at the Apple Farm, Afton Park, Newport Road, Freshwater, Isle of Wight, PO40 9XR.

International Charity Classic Car Extravaganza 
15-16 September 2012, 11am – 5.30pm  
A spectacular collection of classic cars from all over the UK and beyond will decend on the Isle of Wight on September 15th and 16th 2012.

Saturday 15th the show will be held at Newport Quay and Sunday 16th the show will be at Ryde Esplanade. The 2012 show promises a great variety of vintage, classic, custom and retro cars, bikes and other unusual vehicles. In all the will be in excess of 700 vehicles. Tell 020 8439 7871

Isle of Wight Cycling Festival 
15-23 September 2012
Islandwide A fantastic way to see the most picturesque areas of the Island, including themed cycle rides for the whole family. For the super-fit, try 'Cycle the Wight', a 65 mile road route around the Island's spectacular coastline and 'The Hills Killer' a challenging orienteering ride set against the clock. 

Isle of Wight Autumn Walking Weekend
19 – 22 October 2012
IslandwideFrom amblers to ramblers, with over fifty walks in the programme, this festival offers you a wide choice of walks for all ages and abilities, giving you the chance to enjoy the colour of our autumnal walks. The Speed Dating walk is as popular as ever. It provides the perfect environment for couples to get to know one another and its success has resulted in three weddings to date! Watch this space for more weddings!