Events December 2010:
The Isle of Wight has something to offer at any time of the year and with lots of festive events in the lead up to Christmas, many of the Island’s major attractions host special events. Community-inspired festivals and fayres are also much in evidence at this time of the year.
Check our very own Wight Christmas micro-website for news of events and all things festive on the Isle of Wight.
Isle of Wight Events are now also listed on the Island Pulse Calendar. If you do not see an event listed below, hover over the dates on our calender to the right and you could find something of seasonal interest there.
Victorian Christmas Tours @ Royal Osborne House. On Wednesdays-Sundays until 2nd January 2011 Royal Osborne House on the Isle of Wight, offers pre-booked guided tours which take in the five festively dressed ground floor rooms. Knowledgeable guides retrace royal footsteps relating factual snippets and fascinating anecdotes as they take visitors back in time to bring the festive season at Osborne to life. Read More from the Island Pulse here…
1st December 2010: A fundraising initiative and Fashion Show is taking place at Bonmarche store in Newport for the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance. The Isle of Wight store will also be holding events throughout the day on 1st December and a Fashion Show at 6.15pm. Read more from the Island Pulse click here:
Every Saturday and Sunday until 19th December ‘Artisans at Dimbola’ The Dimbola Artisans will be showing a rotating selection of crafts at Dimbola Galleries and Photographic Museum every weekend from Saturday 20th November to Sunday 19th December 2010. Dimbola Galleries and Photographic Museum, Terrace Lane, Freshwater.
1st December 2010: Isle of Wight Digital Imaging Group (IWDIG): Aims to support and encourage everyone involved in photography and digital imaging. A sociable Photography/Camera Club who meets every week throughout the year on Wednesday evenings for Photography & Digital Workshop/Tutorials. 7.30pm @ Dimbola Lodge, Terrace Lane, Freshwater. www.iwdig.org.uk
2nd – 4th – 9th – 12th December 2010: The Wizard of Oz 7:30 pm – 10:00 pm Trinity Theatre The Grove Cowes. Trinity Theatre in Cowes is presenting the musical The Wizard of Oz on Thursday 2nd to Saturday 4th and Thursday 9th to Sunday 12th December.
4th December 2010: Christmas Buffet Dance at Shanklin Theatre. Featuring Late Night Sound – The Island’s Premier LIVE BAND. A Great Evening of Dancing and Listening Everything from Swing to Pop Bar and Raffle Tickets £12.50 including buffet.
4th – 24th December 2010: Santa Specials at Isle of Wight Steam Railway. Passengers are taken on a 50-minute steam train ride before entering a magical winter wonderland, where adults can enjoy a festive drink and children receive a bag of treats. The youngest visitors can visit Santa’s grotto, where everyone receives a gift. There are also various entertainers to add to the festive fun (Dates vary from 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 & 24th December)
4th December 2010: Ryde Lantern Parade & Festive Fun Day. A range of activities will be taking place throughout the town from 10am until 7pm, including Morris dancers, African drummers, jugglers, stilt walkers, brass bands, bell ringers, choirs and Father Christmas in his grotto. Many shops will be open until 6pm & the day will end with the fantastic lantern parade & grand firework display.
4th December 2010: Children’s Christmas Fair at Newport Minster, Sts Thomas Square. A Fair full of fun for children, including balloon sculpting, raffles, food, story telling, face painting and much more.
4th December 2010: Carols in the Garden 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm Vernon Square off Melville Street. Carols, Mulled Wine and Mince Pies Ryde School Brass Band Weather permitting Bring a torch or lantern.
4th December 2010: Christmas Concert 7:00 pm – Medina Theatre Newport. The second of three Christmas concerts features the Music Centre String Orchestra, Youth Choir, Youth Orchestra and Stage Band.
4th December 2010: Open Studio Weekend 10:00 am - 4:00 pm with What Knot Crafts Studio at 2 the Cedars
A wide variety of articles made from driftwood and rope also fancy cord work, to see and for sale. Could be something different for Christmas!
5th December 2010: CHRISTMAS SHOPPING WITH MULLED WINE & MINCE PIES Join us for a glass of mulled wine and a mince pie whilst doing your Christmas shopping and help us raise funds for this charity which conserves special places on the island. Brighstone National Trust Shop & Village Museum (next to the Post Office) 10:00 am – 4:00 pm.
5th December 2010: A very special Isle of Wight Premier Screening of: “The Chronicles of Narnia – The Voyage of the Dawn Treader” for the Earl Mountbatten Hospice on Sunday 5th December from 2.00pm at Cineworld Cinemas, Newport. Read more from the Island Pulse click here…
6th-13th-20th December 2010: The sounds of Christmas will ring out at Island churches during the festive season thanks to Cowes Concert Band. 6th December the band performs at Binstead Methodist Church at 8pm. On 13th December they cross the Medina to perform at East Cowes Methodist Church at 8pm and the final concert is at St Mary’s Church, Cowes, on 20th December at 8pm. More details from the Island Pulse click here…
7th December 2010: 3rd Monthly Competition at Sandown and Shanklin District Camera Club. www.ssdcc.org.uk
8th December 2010: Isle of Wight Digital Imaging Group (IWDIG): Aims to support and encourage everyone involved in photography and digital imaging. A sociable Photography/Camera Club who meets every week throughout the year on Wednesday evenings for Photography & Digital Workshop/Tutorials. 7.30pm @ Dimbola Lodge, Terrace Lane, Freshwater. www.iwdig.org.uk
9th and 11th December 2010: Yarmouth Children’s Christmas Lantern Parade & Market (Thursday 9 December, plus Carols in the Square on Saturday 11 December),
9th – 12th December 2010: Brighstone’s 14th Christmas Tree Festival The organisers of the Christmas Tree Festival will be lighting the “Tree of Joy” at Brighstone Methodist Church all are invited to join in the carols. Read more from the Island Pulse here:
Almost every town and several Island villages will be celebrating the festive season with delightful decorations, lights and markets. Most notably, the annual Brighstone Christmas Tree Festival (9th to 12th December) will create a magical atmosphere for visitors who can view the beautiful exhibits of over a hundred themed and decorated trees and take part in a brilliant range of festive events in and around the historic hamlets of Brighstone and Mottistone.
To entertain you whilst you enjoy the trees and the delicious refreshments, there will be carol singing and music concerts throughout the four days of the festival, which runs from 10am to 5pm daily. As a charity event, admission to the Brighstone Christmas Tree Festival is free. View the full programme at www.bctf.org.uk
9th December 2010: Critique the Mince Pies. Niton and District Camera Club at 7.30pm in Niton Village Hall. Visitors always welcome, but only members may submit images in club competitions. www.nitonpics.com
10th December 2010: Exhibition of Photographs by Richard Haines at Bembridge Coast Hotel. Richard will be on hand at 10.00am and 5.00pm each day to talk about his work.
11th December 2010: Newport Christmas Fun day in St Thomas’ Square 1030 – 1530. Santa will be in his grotto from approx 11.30. Entertainment including voxpop, husky pack, tombola, raffle to be drawn at 3pm. Evening Lantern Carnival Parade 1930 for more information please phone 01983 523468.
11th – 12th December 2010: Ventnor Botanic Garden Christmas Food and Gift Fair Start the festive season in style with the Christmas Food and Gift Fair at Ventnor Botanic Garden in December.
Stock up with wonderful homemade shortbread, mince pies, chutneys and gorgeous meringues. With gifts and stocking fillers ranging from ceramics, fairtrade hampers, jewelery, ethical-fashion, cards and live music from Me and My Sister.
11th December 2010: Huge Hospice Quiz at Lower Hyde Holiday Park Shanklin – 2010 sees the Huge Hospice Quiz celebrate 10 years of brainteasers, headscratchers and fundraising. The quiz has so far raisied over £30,000 for the Earl Mountbatten Hospice and we look forward to raising even more at this excellent, fun event. Last year saw over 80 teams pitting their wits against each other and for 2010 we are hoping to take that number to 100! Keep checking back here for registration details and more information. www.iwhospice.org/events/huge-hospice-quiz-2010.aspx
11th December 2010: Christmas Concert 7:00 pm Medina Theatre Newport. The last of three Christmas concerts features the Music Centre Wind Band, Brass Band and Youth Wind Band.
11th – 12th December 2010: Open Studio Weekend 10:00 am - 4:00 pm with What Knot Crafts Studio at 2 the Cedars
A wide variety of articles made from driftwood and rope also fancy cord work, to see and for sale. Could be something different for Christmas!
12th December 2010: CHRISTMAS SHOPPING WITH MULLED WINE & MINCE PIES Join us for a glass of mulled wine and a mince pie whilst doing your Christmas shopping and help us raise funds for this charity which conserves special places on the island. Brighstone National Trust Shop & Village Museum (next to the Post Office) 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
12th December 2010: Isle Of Wight Youth Concert Band Victorian Christmas The Isle Of Wight Youth Concert Band present a Christmas Concert with a Victorian Theme, at Medina Theatre on Sunday 12th December 2010.
14th December 2010: Projected Images Knockout & Nibbles at Sandown and Shanklin District Camera Club. www.ssdcc.org.uk
15th December 2010: Christmas Celebration Evening @ Dimbola Lodge. Isle of Wight Digital Imaging Group (IWDIG): Members and invited guests will celebrate another year in their achievements www.iwdig.org.uk
15th December 2010: CHRISTMAS IN THE SQUARE. LOWER YORK AVENUE (IN EAST COWES TOWN HALL IF WEATHER IS BAD) CHARITY AND LOCAL COMMUNITY GROUP STALLS, FATHER CHRISTMAS, CAROL SINGING BY THE PUPILS OF QUEENSGATE FOUNDATION PRIMARY SCHOOL, FREE FUNFAIR.
16th December 2010: Ventnor Lantern Parade & Carol Singing on Thursday from 5.45pm.
16th & 18th December 2010: Red Riding Hood by K. Marsden & G. Rundle at Freshwater Memorial Hall. Good family entertainment in a traditional pantomime Matinee at 2.30 pm on December 18th Tel. 752956 for details.
18th December 2010: Yule Bash at Wootton Community Centre. Live music, bar, vegetarian/carnivore food, bumper draw, plus prize fancy-dress competition (theme: Mythology).
18th December 2010: Locals and visitors can mingle at the Cowes Christmas Carnival. Watch the Carnival Parade led my marching bands and cheer at the Carnival Queens as they wave from their Christmas-themed floats. The carnival features youngsters from local schools as well as local businesses, who organise a team of huskies to race through the town ahead of the procession, pulling Father Christmas on his sleigh (www.cowescarnival.co.uk).
24th – 25th December 2010: For those who would like to attend midnight mass, there are plenty of village churches offering Christmas Eve services. The monks of Quarr Abbey will be offering midnight mass to local people and visitors alike at the Island’s Benedictine monastery on 24 December, as well as a mass at 10am on Christmas Day. Visit www.quarrabbey.co.uk for further details.
26th – 28th December 2010: Isle of Wight Steam Railway Mince Pie Specials. After the indulgence of Christmas Day, settle back in a warm and comfortable Victorian or Edwardian carriage and enjoy a steam train journey through the Island’s unspoilt winter landscape… And there’s seasonal refreshments for every adult and child!
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4th-6th December 2009. Chessell Pottery Barns, near Calbourne, Let the kids have a go at decorating their own pottery gifts using a range of Christmas decorating sponges including Snowflakes, Christmas Trees and Nativity characters. Or browse the well-stocked Gift Barn with the Island’s largest range of Emma Bridgewater pottery, as well as the pottery’s own Chessell Ware. www.chessellpotterybarns.co.uk
5th December 2009: Shanklin Christmas Festival. Live bands, Stalls, Displays, Tombolla, Father Christmas in his Grotto, Fun Fair, Dancers, Magic Face Painting, and so much more in Regent Street, with many High Street shops doing special offers.
24th December 2009, 10am to 4pm. SANDOWN CHRISTMAS EVE FUNDAY Colourful stalls, live music, children’s entertainers, Father Christmas and much more, the Sandown Christmas Eve Funday makes a fantastic festive treat for the whole family.
With community events taking place almost weekly at venues across the Island, if you would like your event added to the Island Pulse, please e-mail Click HERE: with the date, location and name of the event.
Isle of Wight Events 2010:
Please Click on Specific Month to view Event Details.
Isle of Wight Event listings for 2011 coming soon…
