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Music, Arts and Festivals

Throughout the year, see some of the top bands and artists perform at a range of distinct Island music events: The Isle of Wight is the place to be seen,  then take time out to explore, drink, eat and relax. 

Wassailing ~
14 January 2012
Wassailing is the pagan fertility ceremony. Intended to begin waking the fruit trees from their winter slumber, frightening away any evil spirits. Just before dark all clutching a cup of hot mulled apple juice or cider, we go down to the trees and place toast soaked in cider in the branches and pour cider onto the roots to ward off evil spirits. Everyone joins in the tree Wassail song. Finally we making as much noise as we could muster with pans and whistles to frighten away any evil spirits.

FBRV Winter Lecture
14 January 2012 2:30 pm - 4:00 pm
'That Sinking Feeling - the loss of the Royal George in 1782' - a lecture by Roger Whitby-Smith. Refreshments and raffle. Limited seating. Tickets available at the Brading Roman Villa on 01983 406223

Orchestral Concert 
28 Jan 2012
Brahms Tragic Overture Horovitz Oboe Concerto Schumann Symphony No.2. At Medina Theatre, 7:30 pm - 9:30 pm

'Bus-tival’  
15th April 2012
(In conjunction with Southern Vectis)
‘Bus-tival’ – A festival of buses old and new! Come and marvel at vintage buses of all shapes and sizes, including the oldest working bus in the UK! Browse around the stalls and attractions, and there's some great kids activities too, plus a full service of steam trains and plenty of refreshments available

Isle of WightReal Ale Festival 
5th - 7th May 2012
Relax in the ambience of Havenstreet Station with a pint of your favourite tipple as you watch the trains go by! Our 7th Spring Real Ale Festival features beers sourced from brewers on the Isle of Wight and from around the country. A selection of food will also be available.

There is free admission to the Festival which is open from 11am till 10pm on Saturday and Sunday and from 11am till 5pm on Bank Holiday Monday. The unique setting of Havenstreet Station makes our Festival a really pleasurable experience, and each day you can enjoy a display from Haven Falconry.

Midsummer Jazz 
16th June 2012
 For One Night Only, The Isle of Wight Steam Railway is proud to present a sensational open-air festival of jazz and swing featuring sparkling Alan Barnes All-Star Jazz Band and the 'intrepid & gallant' Temperance 7

Now firmly established as the Island’s big summer jazz event, make this a night to remember … Immerse yourself in a special evening of superb music in the beautiful setting of our natural tree-lined arena, while you and your family, friends and colleagues enjoy a picnic under the stars!

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

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.

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.

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