Isle of Wight Event News December 2009:

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.

1st December 2009:  The Nutcracker with the Vienna Festival Ballet at Medina Theatre , Newport
£19.50 adult, £14.50 concessions (over 60’s/under 16’s)  Box Office: tel. 01983 527020

1st December 2009 – 9th January 2010: WOW Factor: Quay Arts, Learning Curve Gallery exhibition of 20 shortlisted works from the recent young person’s photography competition.  Exhibition opened Saturday 28th November and closes Saturday 9th January 2010.  Announcement of winners and prize giving: Saturday 19th December 2009: 2pm.  Read more news from the Island Pulse click here:

3rd December 2009: West Wight Floral Art Society’s Christmas demonstration ‘In the Bleak Midwinter by Patricia Dibben at Memorial Hall, Freshwater. Tickets £7 to include coffee and mince pies, call 01983 760758 for information.

4th December 2009: Christmas Carol Concert in aid of Age Concern IW, with performances by Centre Stage School of Performing Arts, Wight Satin Ladies’ Barbershop Chorus and cellist Chris Dare. www.aciw.org.uk

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 www.shanklinchristmasfestival.org

5th December 2009: Jack and The Beanstalk at Trinity Theatre, Cowes, 2.30pm. Tickets £5 and £6 from the theatre box office on 01983 295229.

5th December 2009: Ryde Lantern Parade, part of the Ryde Christmas Festival.

5th December 2009: Enjoy Christmas “Carols in the Garden” at Vernon Square in Ryde.  There will be music by Ryde School Brass Ensemble 5 – 6 pm (Weather Premitting) Mulled Wine and Mince Pies.  Bring a torch or lantern on Saturday 5th December 2009, 5:00 pm Vernon Square, Melville Street, Ryde.

5th-6th December 2009: Isle of Wight Christmas Open Studio Weekend: New for 2009 an Island-wide Christmas Open Studio weekend, a wealth of local artists, will open their studios and homes to the public.  What better way to spend a weekend than browsing, greeting and chatting with local artists.. Specific details of participating artists can be found in the Arts Directory 09/10 which is available online from March/April 2009: Read more:  Isle of Wight Open Studios 2009 

5/6, 12/13, 19-24 December 2009.  SANTA SPECIALS AT THE ISLE OF WIGHT STEAM RAILWAY  Stroll through the stunning Winter Wonderland before meeting Santa in his grotto where a quality gift awaits every child. Take a relaxing ride on a vintage steam train, and enjoy a wealth of entertainment, plus plenty of seasonal fayre at the station restaurant and a shop packed with Christmas gift ideas. www.iwsteamrailway.co.uk

6th December 2009: 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm A Traditional Christmas  A Traditional Christmas: English Folksong & Carols featuring HEATHER WOOD from the legendary YOUNG TRADITION plus the Island’s own Dollymopps & Brian Reeves at the Upstairs at the Bargeman’s Rest £7.50 / £5.00

6th December 2009: 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 (next to the Post Office)  11:00 am – 3:00 pm

7th December 2009:  Cowes Concert Band presents a Christmas-themed brass band concert at St James’ Church, Yarmouth at 8pm, in aid of Naomi House children’s hospice.

9th December 2009: Ashputtel – The Cinderella Story at the Quay Arts, Newport. 9th December 2009: £7
Box Office: tel. 01983 822490

9th December 2009: Brighstone Christmas Tree Festival lighting of the IW Hospice Tree at Brighstone Church, 7pm.

10th-11th-12th-13th December 2009: CINDERELLA by Ventnor Theatre Group.  This year’s pantomime, by the Ventnor Theatre Group, will be a truly magical story based on this much loved fairytale.  Featuring an endearing Cinderella, a lovable Buttons, a handsome prince and many more enchanting characters.  Heaps of hilarious comedy and audience participation will be provided by a pair of outrageous ugly sisters, various village idiots and a magnificent pantomime horse!  Our superb live band and energetic chorus will have you singing along and your toes tapping.  A wonderful Christmas treat for all the family!

Thursday 10th and Friday 11th December at 7.30pm
Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th December at 2.30pm
 
This promises to be the best of family entertainment, and with ticket prices frozen at last year’s prices, £7.50 per adult and £5.00 per child, offers good value too!  Tickets can be purchased from The Ventnor Winter Gardens box office on: 01983 857581.  www.ventnorwintergardens.co.uk

10th-11th-12th-13th December 2009: Yarmouth Christmas Festival and Carnival Carols in the Square. “O Come All Ye Faithfull” to Community Carol Singing in the Square Led by the “Slipshod Singers” & Friends children from Yarmouth C.E Primary School and accompanied by The Isle of Wight Salvation Army Band. More news from the Island Pulse here:

11th December 2009: West Wight Winter Parade and Festive Evening.  An evening of winter festivities in the West Wight. There will be Lanterns even Giant Lanterns! Walking floats, Snow Queens, Carols, Festive stalls and much more!  details here:

12th December 2009:  Santa Fun Run: Isle of Wight Age Concern Santa Dash IW Age Concern are looking for willing helpers to don a Santa suit and take part in a sponsored fun run of approximately one mile long, around the streets of Newport.

12th December 2009 – 6th February 2010: Turn the Key Deftly: Julian Rowe. Quay Arts’ Open Exhibition 2008 winner; Julian Rowe explores and questions memory, repetition and narrative, through large scale installations.

14th December 2009: Cowes Concert Band presents a Christmas-themed brass band concert at East Cowes Methodist Church at 8pm.

16th December 2009:  White Christmas Event planned for the Isle of Wight courtesy of Nokia.  Imagine Father Christmas, reindeer, elves, snow, presents and lashings of food and drink inspired by Marco Pierre White on the Isle of Wight?  The chance of winning the festive competition nearly didn’t happen because the Island was initially left off  the Nokia fun Finnish Christmas  list.  Now lucky Islanders with tickets can start dreaming of a White Christmas once more. 

17th December 2009 – 25th January 2010: No Strings Attached: Miranda Amapola.  An Exhibition of Decorative Guitars on the Café Wall at the Quay Arts.

19th December 2009: Cowes Christmas Carnival complete with Husky Dog racing.

21st December 2009: Cowes Concert Band presents a Christmas-themed brass band concert at St Faith’s Church, Cowes at 8pm.

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.

Throughout December 2009 until 10th January 2010: Solent Degree Show ‘The Graduate Show’ This Show will consist of work from a number and range of courses from within the Faculty of Media, Arts & Society, including Fine Art, Photography & Illustration. The work will be chosen via an application process from the student’s Final Major Projects.  Dimbola Lodge Photographic Museum & Galleries. 

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 2009:

Please Click on Specific Month to view Event Details.

Isle of Wight Event listings for 2010 coming soon…