The Island is certainly getting into the Christmas spirit as December is packed with Christmas fairs and events that are sure to get you in the festive mood.
Be sure to also check out our list of regular community events that occur weekly, bi-weekly, and monthly!
Saturday 7th December – Brading Bell Ringers are hosting a Christmas Market at St Mary’s Church, Brading from 10am – 2pm. Lots of stalls with a great range of local crafters.
Friday 6th December – Not So Silent Night Concert by Medina Marching Band at Christ the King College, Wellington Rd, Newport from 7.30pm. Tickets £10 per person available by calling 07837 792518 or email medinamarchingband@gmail.com or buy tickets on the door.
Tuesday 3rd December – Christmas Coffee Morning 10am to 1pm at Community Hall of Yarmouth and District (CHOYD). Homemade cakes & mince pies. Primary School children sing carols around the Christmas Tree. Variety of Christmas themed stalls.
Thursday 5th December - Late night Christmas shopping in Cowes. Christmas lights are being turned on at 5pm. As well as shopping there will be a school choir, Christmas characters handing out sweets, and free parking from 4pm-9pm in Cross Street car park.
Thursday 5th – Sunday 8th December – Brighstone Christmas Tree Festival. Over 150 beautifully decorated Christmas trees across 9 stunning venues; St Mary’s Church, Brighstone Methodist Church, The Wilberforce Hall, Brighstone Social Club, Brighstone Library, Mottistone Church, All Saints Church, Calbourne, The Three Bishops Pub and Isle of Wight Pearl. Craft Market at the Scout Hall (Fri-Sun). Charity Tractor Drive on Saturday with a disco & snow machine. Santa visits, live music, handcrafted displays, Christmas Market outside the village shop and more! Free Entry but donations are welcome to support local charities. Raffle & Prizes, Children’s Passport Competition, Stalls & a whole lot of festive cheer! Free Park & Ride on Saturday & Sunday. For a full list visit www.brighstonechristmastree.com
Friday 6th December– Coffee Morning at Northwood Cemetery between 10:30 am and 12:30 pm. This month’s theme is “Christmas Tombola”. Hot and cold drinks and biscuits are available free of charge. Everyone welcome – just come through the cemetery gates and you will be given a warm welcome. Hosted by Friends of Northwood Cemetery.
Friday 6th December – Bembridge Craft Market at Bembridge Village Hall from 10am – 4pm. Our regular talented crafters will be joined throughout the year by a few new Island makers so be sure to pop in to see what's on offer.
Friday 6th December - The Tritone Singers Christmas Concert is "What Child is This?" at Ryde Methodist Church in Garfield Road on Friday 6th December at 7pm. Refreshments available during the interval. Tickets £10, children free. www.tritonesingers.com
Friday 6th and Saturday 7th December – Ryde Merry and Bright. Join in the fun on Friday night from 5 – 8pm and Saturday from 12 – 8pm. Entertainment, music, performances, illuminations, craft market, digital graffiti, games, craft activities and a lantern parade from 6pm – 7pm starting at Dover School through the High Street ending at Western Gardens on Friday. Enjoy a traditional winter wonderland, dark skies and themed illuminations with music at Vernon Square. St Thomas Rest Garden will be an interactive experience with neon lights, shadow play and colour. Games and digital graffiti at the New Network Ryde Building. Market at Victoria Arcade and late night opening for shopping throughout the town.
Saturday 7th December – Christmas Coffee Morning in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support at The Folly East Cowes from 10am – 12pm
Saturday 7th December – Christmas Bazaar at The Riverside Centre, The Quay, Newport from 10.30am – 4.30pm. Father Christmas, craft and traders, sweets, raffle, games, singing, lucky dip and much more. In aid of Mountbatten Hospice.
Saturday 7th December – Christmas Fayre at The Broadway Centre, Sandown, from 1pm – 3pm. Tombola, raffle, Xmas stalls, refreshments and lots more. Free entry. In ad of Isle of Wight spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Charity.
Saturday 7th December – Newport Carnival Christmas Parade from 5pm. Starts at Church Litten and will include various local bands, floats, lanterns, walking and dance groups, Young Farmers modern & vintage vehicles and much more. For more information go to www.newportcarnival.com/xmas
Saturday 7th December – Christmas Market at Garfield Methodist Church, Garfield Road, Ryde. A great selection of home-made gifts. Plants, cakes, crafts and refreshments. Free entry.
Saturday 7th December –Santa’s Bus will be at the Freshwater Independent Lifeboat in the By from 11am – 3pm. Visit Santa and receive a free gift and mince pie for all children. Grand raffle and much more.
Monday 9th December – The East Cowes Methodist Church Ladies Group invite you to join them in the church at 7.45pm where they will be holding a Christmas Concert by The Cowes Concert Band. There will be a raffle and retiring collection in aid of Mountbatten Hospice and Band Funds. Coffee and mince pies will be served.
Tuesday 10th December – Monthly Yarmouth Society gather at CHOYD, St James Street, Yarmouth at 6:00 pm.
Thursday 12th– Sunday 15th December - St Mildred’s Christmas Tree Festival, St Mildred’s Church, Whippingham, East Cowes from 11am – 3pm.Entry is free and all donations plus proceeds from the raffle will go to the East Cowes Food Pantry and the Salvation Army Christmas lunch for the homeless. The café will be open for drinks and refreshments and there is plenty of parking!
Thursday 12th December - Whippingham WI Meet at Whippingham Community Centre, Alverstone Road, Whippingham at 1.30pm .Come along to enjoy a speaker, friendship and fun.
Friday 13th December – Wildheart Animal Sanctuary Christmas Carols with Casper the lion and rescued animals. Doors open to cafe at 5:30pm, where there will be mince pies and mulled wine on offer to get you into the Christmas spirit. The carols will be sung opposite Casper and Frosty's habitat inside the Sanctuary. The singing takes place between 6:30pm and 7:30pm. Tickets are £5.50 per person, or £2 for Sanctuary members. Parking is free on the night, so please ensure you have provided your car registration when booking. www.wildheartanimalsanctuary.org
Friday 13th December - St. Mary's Church, Cowes is hosting the Cowes Christmas Tree Festival from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day (including Sunday) Refreshments available - Tea, Coffee, Hot Chocolate Cakes, etc. Free Entry. Wheelchair access.
Friday 13th – Sun 15th December – Merry Montage Christmas Markets at The Depozitory, 23 Nelson Street, Ryde from 11am – 4pm
Friday 13th December – Winter Fayre at Greenmount Primary School, St Vincents Rd, Ryde from 2pm – 5pm. Santa’s Grotton, inflatable snow globe, raffle, tombola, stalls and much more.
Friday 13th – Sunday 15th December - Santa is getting excited for his visit to Yarmouth Guide and Scout Hall, Mill Road, Yarmouth from 4 - 6:30pm. Walk through a wonderland of decorated trees, visit the man himself, have tasty treats and get Christmas crafty. All proceeds raised go to the upkeep of the YGSSA Hall for use of the scouts and Guides.
Saturday 14th December – Sandown Family Events Christmas Fun Day from 10.30am – 3.30pm. Lots of stalls, entertainment and much more taking place within Sandown High Street.
Saturday 14th December – Carols in the Square @ 6pm. Organised by Yarmouth Carnival. The Bishop of Portsmouth will be presiding.
Saturday 14th December – Christmas Fete at Solent Grange Nursing Home, Staplers Road, PO33 4RW from 10.30am – 2pm. Lots of entertainment including live music, Shetland ponies, cake sale, Christmas raffle, craft stalls, Santa and much more.
Saturday 14th December – Christmas Cheer in Newport from 11am – 5pm– Festive entertainment in the Squares. Christmas Fayre stalls and a Victorian Reenactment. Carols in St Thomas’ Square at 4.30pm
Saturday 14th December –Bingo Night & Raffle at Binstead Community Centre, Coniston Ave, Binstead. 7pm start. Ticket sales from 6.15pm to 6.45. £10 per book of 6 games.
Sunday 15th December - West Wight Community Litter Pickers meet at 10.30am at Colwell Bay slipway by the Captain’s Cabin. Tea/coffee and biscuits supplied.
Sunday December 15th - Quay Folk Club celebrates Christmas with a visit from Vicki Swan and Jonny Dyer. Vicki plays nyckelharpa, a type of keyed fiddle with a lovely sound. The Quay Cabal complete the line up with some festive fun of their own. Quay Arts Centre, Newport, opens at 6.30 pm for the music to start at 7. Free entry - drop a donation into the fez.
Tuesday 17th December– The East Cowes Methodist Church Ladies Group invite you to join them for a Candlelight Carol Service in the Church at 7pm. Retiring collection in aid of their charity. Coffee and mince pies will be served.
Saturday 21st December – Light up Ventnor – Santa dash, family activities, lantern parade, carols in the park, Santa’s Grotto and Christmas Market. More details at www.ventnorcarnival.org
Saturday 21st December – Meet Father Christmas at Gurnard Press Bistro, Gurnard, Cowes. Make and eat your own Pizza with the Elves and receive a gift from Father Christmas himself. £15 per child inclusive. Adults can order off the Pizza Menu. Phone (01983) 293182 to book, or email info@gurnardpressbistro.uk
Sunday 22nd December – The Great Big Christmas Quiz at The Old Barracks, Puckpool Park from 7pm. Lots of prizes. £4 per person – maximum of 6 people in a team. To book call 01983 615766 or pop in.
Monday 23rd December – Visit Father Christmas at 64 High Street, Newport and have your face painted. No booking required. Free of charge. Organised by Newport & Carisbrooke Community Council.
Wednesday 1st January – New Year’s Day Celebrations with Sandown Carnival Spectacular Firework display from 6pm – 7pm at Sandown Esplanade, Sandown. Free entry but donations gratefully appreciated.
Regular events
Every Monday – Chat and Craft. Come along with your favourite craft or unfinished project. Learn something new and get help and inspiration or just share your skills. Held from 2-4pm at Isle of Wight Community Club, Park Road, Cowes, PO31 7NP. Open to everyone and all ages. Entry £2 which includes tea/coffee. For more information call Wendy on 07584600053
Every Monday - The Living Well & Early Help Service will be holding an Info Point at Christ Church, Broadway, Sandown from 11am - 1pm. Please drop in if you need any information, guidance or support. 01983 240 732 / lweh.org.uk
First Monday of the month - The Living Well & Early Help Service will be holding an Info Point at the Renew Café, Cowes Baptist Church, Victoria Road, Cowes PO31 7JJ at 11am. Please drop in if you need any information, guidance or support. 01983 240 732 / lweh.org.uk
Second Monday of every month – HASAG Asbestos Disease Support Isle of Wight. Coffee Afternoon at the Riverside Centre, The Quay, Newport, PO30 2GR from 12.30 – 2.30pm.
Second Monday of the month –
Jenny Williams and the Isle of Wight Fibromyalgia Social Group meet from 10am –
2pm at Brading Youth & Community Centre, High St, Brading, PO36 0DH.
Refreshments available. For more information
call or email 0773428295 or jenny_williams@me.com
Third Monday of the month - The Living Well & Early Help Service will be holding an Info Point at the Methodist Church, Station Road, Wootton Bridge, from 10:30am - 11:30am. Please drop in if you need any information, guidance or support. 01983 240 732 / lweh.org.uk
Fourth Monday of each month - The Living Well & Early Help Service will be holding a Community Drop-in Clinic at the East Side Curve, East Cowes from 10am - 12noon. Please drop in if you need any information, guidance or support. 01983 240 732 / lweh.org.uk
Every Tuesday (term time only) - Parent and Toddler club at Wootton Methodist Church, Station Road, Wootton Bridge, PO33 4RE. From 9.30am-11.30am. £2 per family (refreshments included). For more info contact Sue 07311372198.
Every Tuesday - The Living Well & Early Help Service will be holding an Info Point at Ryde Library, 101 George Street, Ryde from 10am – 12noon. Please drop in if you need any information, guidance or support. 01983 240 732 / lweh.org.uk
Fourth Tuesday of the month - The Living Well & Early Help Service will be holding an Info Point at the Northwood Village Hall, Cowes Warm Welcome Space from 1 – 3pm. Please drop in if you need any information, guidance or support. 01983 240 732 / lweh.org.uk
Last Tuesday of the month - The Living Well & Early Help Service will be holding an Info Point at the Phoenix Café, Gurnard Pines, Cockleton Lane, Gurnard from 10am – 12noon. Please contact us for dates and more details. 01983 240 732 / lweh.org.uk
Third Tuesday of the month - The Living Well & Early Help Service will be holding an Info Point at Our Place, West Wight Sports Centre, Moa Place, from 10am - 12.15pm. Please drop in if you need any information, guidance or support. 01983 240 732 / lweh.org.uk
Every Wednesday except the first – Warm and Well Community Group meet at St Helens Community Centre, Guildford Road, St Helens, from 11.30am – 2pm for complimentary soup and roll, refreshments, activities and friendship. Brought to you by Living Well and Early Help Service
Every Wednesday - Social Bridge at West Wight Sports & Community Centre. From 2pm to 4pm. Turn up and play for £2. Participants are learners, intermediate and experienced who play noncompetitively.
Every Wednesday – The Cuppa Club at Ryde Methodist Church Hall, Garfield Road, Ryde. Drop-in from 1pm – 3.30pm. A free event for all ages. Part of the Isle of Wight Warm Welcome Space. Refreshments, optional activities, newspapers or just chat over a cuppa.
Every Wednesday - The Living Well & Early Help Service will be holding an Info Point at the Community Café, Broadway Centre, Sandown from 2pm - 4pm. Please drop in if you need any information, guidance or support. 01983 240 732 / lweh.org.uk
Every Wednesday - the West Wight Bridge Club meet at at CHOYD, St James Street, Yarmouth for their regular weekly session at 2:00 pm
First Wednesday of the month - The Living Well & Early Help Service will be holding an Info Point at the Village Hall, Main Road, Porchfield PO30 4LT from 2pm - 4pm. Please drop in if you need any information, guidance or support. 01983 240 732 / lweh.org.uk
First and Third Wednesday of the month - The Living Well & Early Help Service will be holding an Info Point at the Pyle Street Pantry, Newport Congregational Church, Newport from 10:45am - 12:30pm. Please drop in if you need any information, guidance or support. 01983 240 732 / lweh.org.uk
First Wednesday of the month - Haylands W.I. meet at the Wessex Room, United Reformed Church, Upton Road 2pm to 4pm. We have a speaker each month and every 2nd and 3rd week a craft group. Once a month members meet out for lunch. New members and visitors are very welcome.
Every other Wednesday - The Living Well & Early Help Service will be holding an Info Point at The Well, United Reformed Church, High Street, Shanklin from 11am- 1pm. Please contact us for dates and more details. 01983 240 732 / lweh.org.uk
Every Thursday - Friendly Cribbage group meet at The Isle of Wight Community Club, Park Road, Cowes – 6.30pm. Come along and enjoy an evening playing cards and make new friends in the process. If you don’t already play, just give Wendy a ring on 07584600053 and she will arrange some beginner’s lessons to get you started. Entry is just £1.00 first session is free.
Every Thursday – Craft Crew Crochet, Chat and Knitting at Brading Youth & Community Centre, High St, Brading, PO36 0DH from 10.30am – 12.30pm. Contact Sue Graves 0771 8757629
Every Thursday - Short Mat Bowls from 1pm to approx. 4pm at Freshwater Memorial Hall. Beginners welcome- bowls available to borrow. For details contact: Stuart Sanford on 01983 754725. Tea/coffee and biscuits at half time. Open to everyone.
Every Thursday - Table Tennis at Freshwater Methodist, Brookside Road. From 6pm to 7:30pm. Beginners welcome. A fun, social place for non-competitive games. Free activity, with donations towards light refreshments. Please contact David 01983 760063 for further details.
Second Thursday each month, enjoy a folk music night at the Porter Club, Lake PO36 9LE. The club is behind the gym on the Shanklin to Sandown road. Own car park. Performers & ‘just listeners’ welcome. Free entry, donations. Starts 7.30pm
Second Thursday of the month - The Living Well & Early Help Service will be holding an Info Point at The Apex Church, main Church building, St Faith's Road, Cowes PO31 7HH from 10am – 12noon. Please drop in if you need any information, guidance or support. 01983 240 732 / lweh.org.uk
Second Thursday of the month - The Living Well & Early Help Service will be holding a My Memories and Info Point at Shalfleet Village Hall, Church Lane, Shalfleet PO30 4NF from 2pm - 4pm. Please drop in to take part in the activity / if you need any information, guidance or support. 01983 240 732 / lweh.org.uk
Fourth Thursday of the month - The Living Well & Early Help Service will be holding an Info Point at All Saints Church, Tuttons Hill, Gurnard PO31 8JA from 10am - 11:30am. Please drop in if you need any information, guidance or support. 01983 240 732 / lweh.org.uk
Fourth Thursday of the month - The Living Well & Early Help Service will be holding an Info Point at St Catherines Church, Church Street, Ventnor PO38 1SW from 10:30am - 1:30pm. Please drop in if you need any information, guidance or support. 01983 240 732 / lweh.org.uk
Last Thursday of the month - The Living Well & Early Help Service will be holding a Craft and Info Point at Brighstone Social Club, B3399, Brighstone, Newport PO30 4AJ from 10am – 12noon. Please drop in to take part in the activity / if you need any information, guidance or support. 01983 240 732 / lweh.org.uk
Every Friday – Isle of Wight Age UK Dementia Care offer a drop-in session from 11am – 1pm @ Parklands Dementia Resource Centre, Park Road, Cowes, PO31 7LZ. Offering advice and support to you or someone you know who is experiencing memory problems.
Every Friday - Freshwater Market from 8.30am-12noon at the Memorial Hall. Homemade cakes, plants, books, jewellery, fresh eggs, original artwork, crafts, bric-a-brac, café, handcrafted liqueurs and much more.
Second Friday of the month - The Living Well & Early Help Service will be holding an Info Point at The Living Room, 82-83 High Street, Newport from 10am – 12noon. Please drop in if you need any information, guidance or support. 01983 240 732 / lweh.org.uk.
Third Friday of the month - Wootton Afternoon Townswomen's Guild meet at the Methodist Church, Station Road, Wootton Bridge, from 2pm to 4pm. Free parking in Steam Railway car park opposite. We are a friendly group, and hold talks and go on outings etc.
Fourth Friday of the month - The Living Well & Early Help Service will be holding an Info Point at Newport Minster, St Thomas' Square, Newport at 10:30am. Please drop in if you need any information, guidance or support. 01983 240 732 / lweh.org.uk
Every Saturday and Sunday – Pawsome Bargains Charity Shop at Isle of Wight Cats Protection, Marlborough Road, Ryde. Open from 1 – 3pm. Great bargains with all money going towards to the cats.
Third Sunday of every month - Cafechurch at Ryde United Reformed Church, Corbett Road, Ryde starting at 10.30am. There's a light brekkie and an informal service with very friendly people and an opportunity to meet together to worship in a relaxed and new way, It's free but a donation is always welcome to offset the refreshment costs.