Isle of Wight Festivals Tourist Guide Cowes Week Sailing Regatta Fireworks

Cowes Week

Cowes Week is the biggest event in the yachting calendar and is the oldest annual sailing regatta in the world - running since 1826. It's exclusivity was sealed by the patronage of the Prince Regent and the royal family have continued to attend since.

Cowes Week takes place at the beginning of August and attracts around 100,000 spectators to the island. The eight day event includes a host of sailing competitions in which 1,000 boats take part. The social side of the event attracts royalty, celebrities and mariners from around the world attending a whole host of parties in the venues and restaurants in and around Cowes itself. The whole event has a fun festival atmosphere whether you're on the A-list or not.

The races are quite some spectacle to watch and you can book onto spectator boats to get the best view of the action. Check out the Cowes Week weblink right for more information. The best vantage point on land for the racing start lines is at Cowes Parade. It is also the central information point for Cowes Week and you can sign up for a free sailing taster session. Street entertainment, live music, a champagne seafood and oyster bar, the Sail for Gold bar and BBQ keep the crowds fed, watered and entertained. Cowes Yacht Haven is the social centre for the event where yachtsmen and spectators alike can mix amongst the champagne bar, beer tent and food court. There is also a range of retail outlets and of course live entertainment to add to the festival feel.

Racing enquiries are fielded by the Regatta Office at18 Bath Road, Cowes, behind the Bandstand on Cowes Parade. For participants and friends the Shepherds Wharf Marina is the hub for live screen coverage of the events, Crew Bar, live entertainment, restaurant and Infernos Crew Nightclub with themed club nights. The whole event culminates in a fantastic firework display with an amazing display over the water.

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Isle of Wight Music Festival

The Isle of Wight Festival is a long standing music festival that has attracted artists from all over the world. It started in 1968 which showcased T-Rex and Marc Bolan with Bob Dylan, The Who and Joe Cocker in 1969 and Jimi Hendrix, The Doors, Joni Mitchell, Joan Baez and Emerson Lake and Palmer in 1970. It was revived again in 2002 with Robert Plant headlining and attracting chart bands such as The Charlatans and Ash. Since then an eclectic mix of artists, popular past and present, have headlined the festival attracting thousands to the island each year.

The Isle of Wight Festival is usually held annually in June at Seaclose Park, Newport, Isle of Wight. The organisers have undertaken to make the event ecologically aware and sustainable.

Check the link right for current listings and further information on purchasing tickets and getting to the site.

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Bestival Music Festival Isle of Wight

Another of the Isle of Wight's popular festivals is Bestival. It's a three day boutique festival which has been going since 2004 organised by leftfield DJ Rob da Bank.

Bestival is a green and politically aware festival that is renowned for its fancy dress audiences. It's usually held at Robin Hill Country Park to the south east of Newport.

Check out the entertaining website, link right, for up-to-date information on this year's Bestival and other events throughout the year.

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Isle of Wight Jazz Festival

For jazz fans the Isle of Wight International Jazz Festival is a must. Established since 2005 a whole host of artists have taken part including Cleo Laine and Humphrey Lyttelton.

For tickets call 01983 856200.

Check the weblink right for up-to-date information on venues and artists attending the current festival.

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