1st- 24th December: When We Were Young Art Exhibition. At Newport Library.

1st December: IW Health Walks: Northwood House car park, 10.30am; Brookside Health Centre, Freshwater, beginners/improvers, 2pm.

Victoria - A Queen for all sorts of Historians. Talk by Jean Peters and the Heraldry Group. At The Riverside Centre, Newport, 7.30pm. Members of the IW History Society £1, non-members £1.25.

2nd December: IW Health Walks: Shorwell Shute, opposite the Dell Path Centre, 10.15am; Ryde Seafront outside LA Bowl, 10.30am.

The Ramblers’ Walks: Bembridge Lifeboat Station car park, GR 657881, 5 miles, 10.30am.

Vienna Festival Ballet presents Swan Lake. At Medina Theatre, Newport, 7.30pm.

3rd December: IW Health Walks: Brookside Health Centre, Freshwater, advanced, 10am; Pavillion, Vectis Road, East Cowes, 10.30am.

Hospice Lights of Love Service. At St Marys Church, Brighstone includes switching on the lights as part of the Christmas Tree Festival.

4th December: The Ramblers’ Walks: Newport Bus Station, GR 499890, 11 miles, 9.30am.

Brighstone’s 12th Christmas Tree Festival. At Brighstone Parish Church, Brighstone Methodist Church, Mottistone Parish Church and Wilberforce Hall. Raising funds for charity, 10am-5pm.

IW Health Walk: By the bench on Lake Common, 10.30am; Brannon Way car park, Wootton, 3pm.

Talk by Bob Wealthy on The History of Saunders Row. At The Classic Boat Museum Gallery, East Cowes, 7pm.

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum by Cowes High School. At Cowes High School Hall, 7.30pm.

4th December - 12th January: Joanna Burton Timeless Interiors. At The Café Wall, Quay Arts, Newport.

5th December: Lights of Love Services across the Island. For more details visit www.iwhospice.org;

Part Xchange at Shanklin Conservative Club;

Open Mic Evening at Dimbola Lodge Museum, Freshwater Bay, 8pm-10.30pm;

Mack and Jack, live music at Island harbour, Bistro, 8pm-late;

FBI play at The Old Comical, Sandown, 9pm-11pm.

Brighstone’s 12th Christmas Tree Festival. At Brighstone Parish Church, Brighstone Methodist Church, Mottistone Parish Church and Wilberforce Hall. Raising funds for charity, 10am-5pm.

IW Health Walk: Downside Middle School, Newport, 10.30am.

Hospice Lights of Love Parade. Starts at Colwell Common, 6pm.

Hospice Lights of Love Service. At Newport Minster (Sts Thomas), 7pm. Also: St Agnes church, Freshwater, 7pm. Also: St Peters Church, Seaview. To include switching on of the lights in the garden and mulled wine and mince pies.

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum by Cowes High School. At Cowes High School Hall, 7.30pm.

Merry Titchmarsh with Alan Titchmarsh. At Medina Theatre, Newport, raising funds for the High Sheriffs Trust, 7.30pm.

6th December: Babes in the Wood pantomime by CAODS at Trinity Theatre, Cowes, 2.30pm. Tickets are £5 and £6 and available from the theatre box office, open daily (except Sundays) from Friday, November 28, 11am-2pm, call 01983 295229;

Traditional Christmas Fayre at St Saviours Primary School Totland, 2pm. Enquiries call 07900 538440; Lewis Berry, live music at Island Harbour, Bistro, 8pm-late.

The Ramblers’ Walks: Godshill car park, GR 530817, 14 miles, 9.30am. Grand Christmas Bazaar. At Seaview Yacht Club, 10amñnoon. Free entry.

Artists Book Fair. At Quay Arts, Newport, 10am-4.30pm.

Brighstone’s 12th Christmas Tree Festival. At Brighstone Parish Church, Brighstone Methodist Church, Mottistone Parish Church and Wilberforce Hall. Raising funds for charity, 10am-5pm.

Winter Lecture: The Roman Army and Armour by John Smith (of special interest to children): At Brading Roman Villa, 2.30pm.

Babes in the Wood by CAODS. At Trinity Theatre, Cowes, 2.30pm.

Artists Book Talk by Linda Newington. At Quay Arts, Newport, 4.30pm. 

Vernon Square Preservation Society Christmas Carols in the Garden service with Ryde School Brass Ensemble. At Vernon Square, Ryde, 5pm-6.30pm. Entry £2.50 for non-member, £2 for members which includes mince pies and punch.

Ryde Christmas Festival and Lantern Parade. From Star Street to Upper Union Street followed by aeriel fireworks display, starts 5.45pm.

Rock Nativity by South Wight Youth Theatre. At St John’s Church, Sandown, 7.30pm.

Winter Lectures, Roman Villas of Wessex by John Smith. At Brading Roman Villa, 7.30pm.

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum by Cowes High School. At Cowes High School Hall, 7.30pm.

6-7th Dec Santa Specials at IW Steam Railway, Havenstreet.For more details visit www.iwsteamrailway.co.uk

7th Dec: Brighstone’s 12th Christmas Tree Festival. At Brighstone Parish Church, Brighstone Methodist Church, Mottistone Parish Church and Wilberforce Hall. Raising funds for charity, 10am-5pm.

The Ramblers’ Walks: Shorwell car park, GR 457825, 3.5 miles, 11am. Rock Nativity by South Wight Youth Theatre. At Newport Minster (Sts Thomas), 7pm.

8th Dec: IW Health Walks: Northwood House car park, 10.30am; Brookside Health Centre, Freshwater, beginners/improvers, 2pm.

9th Dec: IW Health Walk: Ryde Seafront outside LA Bowl, 10.30am.

10th Dec: The Ramblers’ Walks: Lake Common, GR 587839, 10 miles, 10am.

IW Health Walk: Brookside Health Centre, Freshwater, advanced, 10am.

Jack and The Beanstalk by Forest Forge Theatre Company. At Quay Arts, Newport, 6.30pm.

The Snow Queen by The Apollo Players. At The Apollo Theatre, Newport.

11th Dec:The Ramblers’ Walks: Shalfleet NT car park, GR 414895, 12? miles, 10am.

IW Health Walk. By the bench on Lake Common, 10.30am; Brannon Way car park, Wootton, 3pm.

Hospice Lights of Love Service. At the White Lion, Arreton, 6pm.

Hospice Lights of Love Service. At The Cedars, Wootton, 6.30pm.

11th-12th Dec: Babes in the Wood pantomime by CAODS at Trinity Theatre, Cowes, 7.30pm. Tickets are £5 and £6 and available from the theatre box office, open daily (except Sundays) from Friday, November 28, 11am-2pm, call 01983 295229.

Vectis Decorative and Fine Arts Society lecture by David Phillips, Is Christmas in Good Taste? At Medina Theatre, Newport, 8pm.

The Snow Queen by The Apollo Players. At The Apollo Theatre, Newport.

12th Dec: Downland Folk Club at The Castle Inn, Newport, 8.15pm for 8.30pm.

Hospice Lights of Love Service. At the Crematorium, Whippingham, 7pm.

11th-14th Dec: The Twelve Days of Christmas pantomime, with live music singing and dance, The Ventnor Theatre Group’s Christmas panto is always an action-packed extravaganza and this year they will be performing a magical pantomime written in a traditional style but at the same time refreshingly different!First time it has been performed on the Island. At Ventnor Winter Gardens, Thursday-Saturday, 7.30pm, Sunday, 2.30pm. Tickets £6.50 and £5.50, book tickets in advance by calling the box office on 01983 857581 or visit www.ventnorwintergardens.co.uk
or purchase on the door one hour before curtain up.
 

12th Dec-8th February: Richard Stow, Out of Public View exhibition at Dimbola Lodge Museum Museum, Freshwater Bay, closed Mondays.

13th Dec: I saw three ships a sailing - Family Christmas Event, Christmas open day for all the family. At The Classic Boat Museum Gallery, Venture Quays, Columbine Road, East Cowes, 11am-3pm. Admission £2 for adults (save 50p if you bring a child). Children - free admission. Mulled wine and mince pie free with admission;

Babes in the Wood pantomime by CAODS at Trinity Theatre, Cowes, 2.30pm. Tickets are £5 and £6 and available from the theatre box office, open daily (except Sundays) from Friday, November 28, 11am-2pm, call 01983 295229;

Newport Christmas Carnival;

FBI play at The Broadway Inn, Totland, 9pm-11pm.

Family Christmas Event. At The Classic Boat Museum Gallery, East Cowes. Admission £2, save 50p if you bring a child. Children free. Mulled wine and mince pie free on admission. 11am-3pm.

Hospice Lights of Love Service. At The Old Manor House, Lake with carols around the Christmas Tree with the Shanklin Brass Band, 12noon.

Bembridge Hospice Lights of Love Parade. Starting at Lane End then on to the War Memorial for a service and then to the Village Hall for refreshments, 5.30pm.

Hospice Lights of Love Service. In the Square, Yarmouth with the Salvation Army, Slipshod Singers and school children, 6pm.

13-14th Dec: Santa Specials at IW Steam Railway, Havenstreet.For more details visit www.iwsteamrailway.co.uk

14th Dec: Totland Lights of Love Parade in aid of Earl Mountbatten Hospice at the receration ground, 6pm;

Cowes Lights of Love Service in aid of Earl Mountbatten Hospice, at Francki Place, outside the Painters’ Arms pub, 7pm;

Sandown Lights of Love Service in aid of Earl Mountbatten Hospice at the Broadway Centre, 7pm. Followed by entertainments and light refreshments;

Babes in the Wood pantomime by CAODS at Trinity Theatre, Cowes, 5pm. Tickets are £5 and £6 and available from the theatre box office, open daily (except Sundays) from Friday, November 28, 11am-2pm, call 01983 295229.

Hospice Lights of Love Service. At St Marys Church, Brading, 5.30pm. Hospice Lights of Love Service. At The Vine Inn, St Helens, 6pm.

15th Dec: Lake Lights of Love Service in aid of Earl Mountbatten Hospice at The Old Manor House, at noon. With carols around the Christmas tree with Shanklin Town Brass Band;

Yarmouth Lights of Love Service in aid of Earl Mountbatten Hospice, in the Square with the Salvation Army Band, the Slipshod Singers and local school children.

Hospice Lights of Love Service. On the green, Rookley with the Shanklin Brass Band, 6.30pm.

16th Dec: Whippingham Lights of Lover Service in aid of Earl Mountbatten Hospice, at the crematorium, Wootton, 4.30pm.

Hospice Lights of Love Service. At The Winter Gardens, Ventnor, 6.30pm.

17th Dec: Shanklin Lights of Love Service in aid of Earl Mountbatten Hospice, at The Crab Inn, Shanklin, 6.30pm.

18th Dec: Ventnor Lights of Love Service in aid of Earl Mountbatten Hospice, at Ventnor Winter Gardens, doors open 6.30pm for 7pm start.

19th Dec: FBI play at The Colwell Bay Inn, 9pm-11pm.

Hospice Lights of Love Service. Francki Place outside The Painters Arms, Cowes, 7pm.

20-24th Dec: Santa Specials at IW Steam Railway, Havenstreet.For more details visit www.iwsteamrailway.co.uk

22nd Dec: Hospice Lights of Love Service. At The Crab Inn, Shanklin, 6.30pm.

26-28th Dec: Santa Specials at IW Steam Railway, Havenstreet.For more details visit www.iwsteamrailway.co.uk

27th Dec: Book, postcard and ephemera fair at Parish Centre, Town Lane, Newport, 10am-3.30pm.

Not forgetting regular weekly meetings of:

IW Observatory tour of the stars every Thursday at 7.30pm onwards, recreation field in Watery Lane, Newchurch, opposite Amazon World;

Newport Farmers’ Market selling Island produce at St Thomas’ Square, Newport, 9am-2pm every Friday;

IW Country Markets are open every week at Freshwater, Fridays 9.15am-11.15am at Freshwater Sports Centre; Newport, Fridays 9am-12noon at Holyrood Hall, High Street; Shanklin, Fridays 9.30am-11.30am at Falconcross Hall and Yarmouth every Wednesday, 9.30am-11.45am at The Institute;

Table top sale of handicrafts, china, CDs, books and other items at the Parish Hall of St. Thomas, Town Lane, Newport, 10am-2.00pm every Friday, supporting the Earl Mountbatten Hospice;

Ryde Farmers’ Market selling Island produce at Town Square, Anglesea Street, Ryde, 8.30am-12.30pm, every Saturday.