You are here > What's On > Carnivals

Isle of Wight Carnivals

Each major town hosts an evening of colourful frivolity as a stream of floats make their way through the centre of town. Thousands of onlookers line the streets to catch a glimpse of Rio on the Isle of Wight. Floats are hugely varied and carry pageant queens, local community groups and even pets in fancy dress! If you’re looking for things to do on the Island, attending a carnival is a box you have to tick.

As well as being quite a spectacle, the Isle of Wight carnivals have their own claim to fame. The town of Ryde hosts the oldest carnival in the UK which is also in the running to win the "UK's Most Popular Carnival" award chosen by the UK’s rental giants HolidayLettings.co.uk.

Vote for Ryde carnival ➤

Queen Victoria was a patron of the carnival which first took place in 1887 in celebration of her Diamond Jubilee. Make sure you check the 'whats on' calendar when you’re choosing which carnival to attend. Most carnivals happen in the daylight, but some towns host an illuminated carnival where the procession parades through the night, creating a fantastic light display. All carnivals are free to attend and are very popular, with up to 40,000 people lining the streets to take part in the celebrations, so make sure you arrive early to grab a great viewing spot.

Download the carnival timetable➤

Search What's On

Advanced Options

Number of results:

Number of results: 9

Sort By: A-Z Lowest A-Z Highest

Ongoing Events

Newport Illuminated Carnival

Type

Type:

Carnival

NEWPORT

Join in the carnival fun with Newport's Illuminated Procession!
Please see website for route details.
Cowes Illuminated Carnival

Type

Type:

Carnival

COWES

Join in an evening of carnival fun with the Cowes Illuminated Procession!
See website for route details.
St Helens Carnival

Type

Type:

Carnival

ST HELENS

Welcome to the time honoured tradition of St Helens Carnival.
At well over 100 years old it's one of the oldest carnivals in the Country!
Please see website for more details.
Ryde Children's Carnival

Type

Type:

Carnival

RYDE

Join in the carnival fun of the Ryde Children's Procession!
Please see website for route details.
Sandown Illuminated Carnival

Type

Type:

Carnival

SANDOWN

Join in the fun and spectacle of Sandown's Illuminated Carnival!
Please see website for route details.
Ryde Main Carnival

Type

Type:

Carnival

RYDE

Fun for all the family at Ryde Carnival's Main Procession!
Please see website for route details.
Ryde Carnival is in the running to win the “UK’s Most Popular Carnival” award!
Ryde Carnival has been chosen by the UK’s rental giants...
Ryde Illuminated Carnival

Type

Type:

Carnival

RYDE

Join in with the carnival fun and spectacle of the Ryde Illuminated Procession!
Please see website for route details.
West Wight Carnival

Type

Type:

Carnival

TOTLAND BAY

Join in with the carnival fun with the West Wight Procession!
Isle of Wight Day

Type

Type:

Community

ISLANDWIDE

Isle of Wight Day
A carnival of events across the Island to celebrate all that is good and magical about the Isle of Wight.
Live entertainment, parades, food and drink and parties across the Island, you'll want to make sure you're here for...

Sign Up for our e-newsletter.

thanks.

Download our guide or order now.

thanks again.

tweet, follow, share....join in!

Reviews and advice on hotels, and lots more!

Isle of Wight Steam Railway
Isle of Wight Steam Railway
We're Going on a Bear Hunt
We're Going on a Bear Hunt
Cycling
Cycling
Walking
From challenging coastal walks to beautiful short walking routes the Isle of Wight is perfect for relaxing walking holidays!

Shanklin Villa Apartments
Shanklin Villa Apartments
Luccombe Hall Hotel
Luccombe Hall Hotel
Ferry Inclusive Accommodation
Ferry Inclusive Accommodation
Holiday Parks
The Isle of Wight has a great variety of superb caravan and chalet parks, many of which are located in some of our most spectacular landscape!

We're Going on a Bear Hunt
We're Going on a Bear Hunt
Eklectica
Eklectica
Island Con
Island Con
Lendy Cowes Week
There's nothing quite like Cowes Week; the oldest and largest annual sailing regatta in the World.

Family
With loads of great attractions and family-friendly places to stay the Isle of Wight is the perfect place to bring the family
Adventure
The Island packs in a whole load of adventure, with lots of exciting activities to pack into your break!
Romantic
Breathtaking scenery and a slower pace of life make this one of the most romantic places in the UK
Wellness Breaks
Wellness Breaks

Dog friendly
Dog friendly
Competitions
Competitions
Coast & Country
Over half of the Isle of Wight is designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
Family Holidays
Family Holidays

Isle of Wight Ferries
Information on all the ferry options available to the Isle of Wight from mainland UK
Getting Around
Getting Around
Bicycle Island
Bicycle Island
Walking routes
Walking

My Planner

tweet, follow, share....join in!

Isle of Wight Carnivals

Search What's On

Search What's On

Number of results:

Ongoing Events

Type

Type:

Type

Type:

Type

Type:

Type

Type:

Type

Type:

Type

Type:

Type

Type:

Type

Type:

Type

Type:

Sign Up for our e-newsletter.

Download our guide or order now.

tweet, follow, share....join in!