What's on, Isle of Wight 2009. This Isle of Wight holiday guide is based on 2008 holiday guide - it will be updated with more accurate dates shortly

Spring Guided Tours of Osborne House
Until 20 March 2009, Osborne House, East Cowes Isle Of Wight

Take a fascinating tour, led by an expert guide around a selection of rooms in Queen Victoria’s opulent family home at a quieter time of year. Delight in the stories and anecdotes of Royal Victorian life and afterwards enjoy a stroll round the beautiful gardens or relax over a light lunch in the café. 10am - 4pm Wed-Sun (last tour at 2.30pm
Osborne House, Gardens & Swiss Cottage Isle Of Wight
The country retreat of Queen Victoria and her beloved Prince Albert. Visit the sumptuous Royal Apartments and the intimate family rooms, including Queen Victoria's bedroom where she died in 1901. Marvel at the awe-inspiring Indian décor and exquisite gifts in the Durbar Room and take a peek at life 'below stairs' in the Table Deckers' Rooms. Unwind in the spectacular grounds with stunning views across the eastern Solent and don't miss the newly restored Victorian Walled Garden with flowers, triumphal arches of Victoria plums and hot houses full of exotic plants.

Take a Victorian horse & carriage ride to Swiss Cottage where the Royal children played and see the miniature furniture made especially for them. Next door is a fort, a little museum housing their collections and their flower & vegetable gardens with garden tools.

Special activity sheets help children get the most from their day. There is a children's play area, the lovely Terrace Restaurant and Orangery, café and tea rooms serving children's meals. Baby changing facilities are available.

Opened in 2006, The Petty Officer's Quarters houses a café, an extensive shop and exhibition which covers various aspects of the sumptuously furnished house and magnificent grounds, as well as the lives and personalities of the Victorian royal family and the servants who cared for them.
Easter Challenge
21-23 March 2009, Cowes, The Solent Isle Of Wight

The Solent springs to life this weekend for the first big regatta of the season; The Red Funnel Easter Challenge has attracted a large and diverse fleet of racing and cruising yachts and some of the finest sailing talent will be competing on tight Solent courses.
Sixty-five entries are now confirmed for the 17th Red Funnel Easter Challenge and the Royal Ocean Racing Club expect more to follow. The large fleet shows that the event has not lost any of its popularity with the competitors. There are over 20 different designers or brand of yachts which will make for some interesting comparisons, especially this being a Rolex Commodores’ Cup trial event.
The background of the competitors is just as varied with top professional and Olympic sailors including Ben Ainslie rubbing shoulders with amateurs in the sport.
Isle of Wight International Jazz Festival

11-13 April 2009 at various venues in Ventnor Isle Of Wight

The 2009 festival offers a wide array of international jazz sounds for all tastes and once again sets established names from both sides of the Atlantic and Europe alongside the emerging young talents of today's jazz generation at the Island’s self proclaimed Capital of Jazz in the Deep South – Ventnor.

Big Green Picnic
24 & 25 May 2009, County Hall Car Park, Newport Isle Of Wight
Help the Isle of Wight Council and its partners create sustainable communities on the Island; learn how to reduce your carbon footprint whilst listening to live bands, eating local food and generally having a brilliant time!

Isle of Wight Walking Festival Isle Of Wight
3 to 18 May 2009, Island wide

Featuring over 200 walks to suit all ages and abilities and with over half the Island being recognised as an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty including over 500 miles of well-maintained footpaths, the overwhelming success of this years Isle of Wight Walking Festival surprised no one, but exhausted many!

Ribex
9-11 May 2009 at Cowes Yacht Haven Isle Of Wight
RIBEX is the world’s only boat show dedicated solely to Rigid Inflatable Boats. Includes World launches of RIBS and related gear, RIB rides, demonstrations & attractions, new area for 'Starter RIB Packages', test leisure & professional craft in open water, excellent on the spot show deals, air, land & sea displays, excellent food & bar on site. Ribex is a fun and exciting family day out.

Walk the Wight
18 May 2009, Bembridge to Alum Bay
Register now for Walk the Wight 2009. This is the largest sponsored walk in the South and covers the breadth of the Isle of Wight raising money for the Island’s Hospice which cares for over 800 terminally ill patients every year. In 2007 over 5,000 people Walked the Wight raising over £217,000 towards patient care.

Big Wight Mountain Biking Festival Isle Of Wight
23-26 May 2009
Summer kicks off with Big Wight! First run in 1996 as the Wight Diamond Challenge (and later the Wight Diamond Festival) this event has established itself as 'don't miss' event for hundreds of bikers. It's unique combination of superb riding, events to suit everyone, on site camping, catering, bar and entertainment have earned it a reputation as the best mountain bikers party on the calendar!

Isle of Wight Festival
12-14 June 2009 at Seaclose Park, Newport
Fresh from scooping the prize for Best Major UK Festival at the 2007 UK Festival Awards, the legendary Isle of Wight Festival is once again set to thrill tens of thousand of fans on the 12th, 13th & 14th June. The headline acts are yet to be announced

JP Morgan Assset Management Round the Island Race
28 June 2009, starting at Cowes
One of the world’s largest and most famous yachting races, the JPMorgan Asset Management Round the Island Race takes place in Cowes, Isle of Wight, England and attracts an annual entry of up to 1800 boats. Red Funnel is a race partner to Round the Island Race.

August Family Events at Carisbrooke Castle
01-31 August, Carisbrooke Castle, Nr Newport
01-02 Aug - Medieval Quest; 03-04 Aug - Medieval Boot Camp; 05-09 Aug - Donkey Quest; 10-11 Aug - Donkey Days; 12-16 Aug - Spooky Quest; 17-18 Aug - Spooky Days Out; 19-22 Aug - Gruesome Castle Quest; 23-25 Aug - The Worst Days in History; 26-31 Aug - Gruesome Castle Quest.

Cowes Week Isle Of Wight
2-9 August 2009, Cowes/Solent
A permanent fixture in the summer social calendar, Skandia Cowes Week offers a fantastic experience for sailors and non-sailors alike. Held since 1826, this prestigious regatta attracts up to a thousand boats ranging from hi-tech super yachts to classic day boats. Thousands of spectators flock to Cowes each year to soak up the unique party atmosphere which culminates with a spectacular firework display on the Friday night.

Cowes Firework Night Isle Of Wight
8 August 2009, Cowes/Solent
Big, spectacular and noisy, the friday night firework display offers a fabulous finale to an exciting week of sailing. Set to music, the explosive show is best viewed from Cowes, or even from out on the water, perhaps on the ouside deck of a Red Funnel Ferry as you enjoy a long cool drink!

Wolverton Manor Garden Fair
30-31 August 2009, Shorwell
Set in the magnificent gardens of Wolverton Manor the annual Garden fair features stalls and horticulturl displays from local and mainland nurseries, as well as a themed Elizabethan village complete with fantastical costumes, delicious food and magical musicians. The fair is run in aid of Age Concern and many other deserving local charities.

Bestival Isle Of Wight
11-13 September 2009 at Robin Hill Country Park, Newport
Robin Hill will once again come alive with the sound of music! Bestival devotees can expect another eclectic and inspired range of artists for 2009 and hopefully a tad less mud!. The music is only part of what makes Bestival so magical. The family friendly atmosphere and weird and wonderful events and attractions such as the famous fancy dress carnival, the inflatable church plus the beard and moustache competition helped make Bestival 2007 the "Best Medium Sized Festival" at the UK Festival Awards.

Isle of Wight Cycling Festival Isle Of Wight
13-21 September 2009, Island wide
The Cycling Festival returns for 2009 with its mix of events and activities to suit all ages and abilities. Hardcore cyclists can take their pick from the notorious Hills Killer Challenge; a gruelling orienteering mountain bike race against the clock, over 3, 7 or 14 hills, or attempt to "Cycle the Wight" a 65 mile road ride around the Island in aid of the British Heart Foundation. Alternatively, you can simply join in with one of many rides taking place all over the Island, and enjoy the stunning scenery from the comfort of your saddle.

Isle of Wight Walking Festival celebratory weekend
24 -27 October 2009 - Island Wide
Taking place between 24 and 27 October, the Isle of Wight Walking Festival organisers have arranged the first ever Celebratory autumn walking weekend.

There's a choice of 47 guided walks taking place all around the Island, including the ever popular speed-dating walk, and several spooky Halloween themed excursions all of which offer the opportunity to take in the scenic splendour as greens fade to gold.

Autumn Guided Tours of Osborne House Isle Of Wight
10 Nov 2009 to 6 Jan 2009†, Osborne House, East Cowes
Discover the origins of the Victorian Christmas in the company of an expert guide from the 10 November to 6 January (†except 24 & 25 November). See a selection of rooms from 10am – 4pm, with the last tour at 2.30pm - booking is recommended to avoid disappointment, call 01983 200022. Note: The walled garden and Swiss Cottage are shut over the winter (reopening on the 21st March).

A Victorian Christmas at Osborne House Isle Of Wight
22-23 November 2009, Osborne House, East Cowes
Experience the spirit of a traditional Victorian Christmas. Delight in magic and illusion at the side-shows and marvel at the travelling theatre. Enjoy carol singing and shopping for festive gifts in a wintry scene. 10am - 4pm. Adult:£11.50, Concession:£9.20, Child:£5.80, Family:£28.80