The Isle of Wight Grand National and Ashey Scurry is a series of amateur horse races over cross country, post and rail and natural hedges. The event takes place at West Ashey Farm, near Ryde. The course can be reached by car or by steam train from Havenstreet Station. A great family day out.

Website: www.iw-scurry.co.uk

The Memorial Ploughing Match 2012 is in aid of the Earl Mountbatten Hospice and will be held at New Wolverton Farm in Shorwell. The event includes heavy horses ploughing, plus vintage and conventional ploughing. Free entry. Website

Now in its 12th year, the Suzuki sponsored powerboat & RIB show will once again be returning to Cowes Yacht Haven. The show traditionally features over 80 boats afloat in the event marina ready for public sea trial, plus a whole tented village of special exhibits, food outlets and interactive displays. Website: www.ribexhibitions.co.uk

Sat 5th - Sun 20th May
The 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 numerous 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. For full details of all walks, visit www.isleofwightwalkingfestival.co.uk

Sun 13th May
Walk The Wight

Part of the Isle of Wight Walking Festival is Walk The Wight - a sponsored walk to raise money for the Earl Mountbatten Hospice, which cares for terminally ill patients on the Island. This wonderful annual event gives participants of all ages a unique opportunity to walk across some of the Island’s most stunning countryside.

The most famous part of Walk The Wight is the main route, which goes from Bembridge on the eastern corner of the Island, to Alum Bay on the western point. In addition to taking walkers through some of the most scenic footpaths on the Isle of Wight such as the Tennyson Trail, the walk also goes across private land, which is not open to walkers at any other time.

To really enjoy Walk The Wight, you need to be fit enough to comfortably manage your chosen route, particularly if you have decided to tackle all or even half of the main walk, as it includes many hills. Even regular walkers might want to do a bit of training beforehand, as 13 or 26 miles is a long way over such varied terrain.

For more information, visit
www.isleofwightwalkingfestival.co.uk

Fri 25th - Sun 27th 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. The Old gaffers is one of the most popular events on the Isle of Wight.

Yarmouth Old Gaffers Festival Website: www.yarmoutholdgaffersfestival.co.uk

Sat 30th June
Round the Island Race 2012

JPMorgan Asset Management Round The Island Race is the largest and most famous yachting race in the UK. 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.

Round The Island Race Website:
www.roundtheisland.org.uk

Sat 21st July
Newport Main Carnival
Join the celebrations through Newport

Fri 27th July
Sandown Children's Carnival

Sat 28th July
Sandown Main Carnival
Join the celebrations through Sandown

Mon 30th July - Fri 3rd August
Cowes Dinghy Week
Held at Gurnard Green, Cowes Dinghy Week is a six-day family sailing event hosted by Gurnard Sailing Club.

Wed 1st August
Shanklin Main Carnival
Join the celebrations through Shanklin

Sat 4th August
Shanklin Illuminated Carnival

Sat 4th - Sun 5th August
Chale Show
Fun for all the family with free parking. Events and entertainment over the two days includes horticultural marquees, stalls, entertainments, craft, antique, indoor market, side shows and food & drink outlets with a licensed area. For further information visit: www.thechaleshow.co.uk

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.

Cowes Week Website: www.cowesweek.co.uk

TBC
Rolex Fastnet Race
One of Royal Ocean Racing Club´s greatest sailing events. Commencing from Cowes, the race ends at Plymouth and goes via the Fastnet Rock off South West Island.

Wed 15th August
Ventnor Main Carnival
Join the celebrations through Ventnor

Sat 18th August
Ventnor Illuminated Carnival

Sat 18th - Sun 19th August
The Garlic Festival

The Garlic Festival is held at Newchurch Showground, next to the Fighting Cocks pub at Arreton on the Newport to Sandown road. As well as the world famous Isle of Wight garlic, the very best of Island produce is also showcased, with over 300 stalls selling food and a diverse range of arts and crafts, plus live music.

Website:www.garlic-festival.co.uk

TBC
Ventnor Cricket Club V Lashings World XI

Ventnor Cricket Club are anticipating another action packed and entertaining afternoon when they host the cricketing superstars of the Lashings World XI. The world’s most famous club cricket team, full of international players, are visiting Steephill for a seventh successive season and are sure to attract another bumper crowd to the unique and atmospheric Ventnor bowl. Start of play is at 2.30pm

Fri 24th - Sun 26th August
The British Powerboat Festival

The three-day British Powerboat Festival, powered by RB12, is the largest gathering of endurance powerboats anywhere in the world. and incorporates the Cowes-Torquay-Cowes race, RYA National Marathon Championship, UIM Marathon World Cup, Cowes-Poole-Cowes race, RYA National P1 Superstock Championship, Club (Basic) Race for RIBs, OCR & Sports Boats. Expect drama, spectacular high speed action and glamour, all with an international flavour.

There are bars, food, music and entertainment for all the family.

Visit http://cowes2012.co.uk for full details.

Fri 24th - Mon 27th August
The 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

TBC
Summer Madness 2012
Fantastic outdoor music event held in the surroundings of Carisbrooke Castle. Now in its third year, Summer Madness is already earning a reputation for its diverse line-up and chilled-out vibe. For full details including ticket information visit: www.iowsummermadness.com

Sat 29th August
Sandown Illuminated Carnival

Thu 6th - Sun 9th September
Bestival 2012

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. There will be an abundance of top acts appearing this year, plus the cream of local Island talent.

Bestival Website: www.bestival.net

Thu 6th Sun 9th September
Little Britain Challenge Cup

The Little Britain Challenge Cup is the largest corporate yachting regatta in Europe, as well as the biggest UK gathering of senior figureheads from the construction and property industry. The regatta is held at Cowes and is one of the industry´s top social sporting events of the year. Website: www.littlebritain.co.uk

TBC
IOW International Charity Classic Car Show

This fantastic two-day event is now in its ninth year and promises to be the biggest and best yet. Hundreds of British and foreign vintage, classic, custom, retro and “oddball” cars and motorcycles are expected to attend from all over the UK. All proceeds will go to the Earl Mountbatten Hospice.

Sat 22nd - Sun 30th September
IOW Cycling Festival

Every year the Island hosts the Isle of Wight Cycling Festival, which features several different cycling events for all abilities and disciplines. Races include an on-road 70 mile round the Island race known as Cycle the Wight and Sink or Swim, where home made pedal powered craft attempt to cross the River Medina! For the more resilient cyclist, the three, seven and 14 hills challenges known as "The Hills Killer" are a real test of stamina. For full details, visit: www.sunseaandcycling.com

TBC
Annual Sweetcorn Fayre
Held at Arreton Old Village, the Annual Sweetcorn Fayre is a celebration of local food and drink and includes specially themed food at the Dairyman´s Daughter pub at Arreton Barns. The great line-up of attractions makes it a weekend not to be missed.

TBC
Victorian Christmas at Osborne House

Step back in time and experience a traditional Victorian Christmas at Osborne House in East Cowes where you will see Queen Victoria´s holiday home dressed for the festive season. Delight at the Dickensian characters and enjoy carol singing and traditional entertainment. Booking is essential for groups.

For prices and tickets call 0870 333 1183.

TBC
Ventnor Lantern Parade

TBC
Cowes Christmas Carnival
Visit: www.cowescarnival.co.uk for full details.

For more information about any of the above events and for up-to-date news, please visit the Isle of Wight Tourist Guide website: www.isleofwighttouristguide.com