Top events
Why not plan your visit around one of the island’ s vibrant annual events and festivals. From foot-tapping music and mouthwatering food to sporting challenges and historic extravaganzas, there’ s always something going on!
Cowes Week
Liberation Day
The Channel Islands were the only part of the British Isles to be occupied by German forces during WW2. The five year occupation came to an end on 9 May 1945 and Liberation Day is a public holiday still celebrated annually.
Battle of Flowers
Held over two days in mid-August, this annual carnival features colourful floral floats and dazzling dancers, along with a vibrant atmosphere.
Jersey & Guernsey Air Display
A one day event around mid-September, both Jersey and Guernsey treat spectators to a worldclass air display and high-flying excitement.
Jersey International Motoring Festival
A premier event held each May for vintage, classic car and motorcycle competitions.
Jersey’ s Simply Christmas Markets
During December, these festive artisan markets offer crafts, food and seasonal gifts.
World Pilot Gig Championships, Isles of Scilly
Held every early May bank holiday weekend, it attracts crews from across the UK, Europe and beyond to vie for pilot gig racing’ s most coveted prize.
Orkney Folk Festival
Isle of Man TT & Manx Grand Prix( MGP)
Thousands annually flock to the Isle of Man for its TT Races, which happen at the end of May, as well as the Festival of Motorcycling which includes the Manx Grand Prix from late August-early September.
Manx Heritage Transport Festival
This annual bumper festival takes place across six days from the end of July to celebrate the island’ s rich transport legacy.
Heritage Open Days
The Isle of Man’ s biggest heritage festival is held every October and brings together museums, societies, individuals and historic properties islandwide to offer six days of open doors, tours, guided walks and activities that are free to explore.
Cowes Week, Isle of Wight
The world’ s oldest and largest annual sailing regatta takes place each August. Boasting a mix of competitive sailing and fun there’ s also a fantastic line up of shore-side entertainment. Watch from the shore or get out on the water aboard a spectator boat.
Isle of Wight Festival
Held mid-June annually in Newport, attracting both legendary and up-and-coming music acts.
Liberation Day
Orkney Folk Festival
This longer-established folk festival takes place in late May, drawing visitors worldwide for a four day celebration of Orkney’ s rich, vibrant folk scene.
HebCelt Festival
The multi-award winning Hebridean Celtic Festival takes place mid July on the Isle of Lewis. It mixes the best local talent with leading Scottish, UK and worldwide artists to provide a feast of music.
Lerwick Up Helly Aa
For 24 hours on the last Tuesday of January, Lerwick is the location of Shetland’ s biggest annual fire festival. It’ s a celebration of Shetland history and demonstration of islanders’ skills and spirit.
Brodick Highland Games
Held almost every year on the Isle of Arran since 1886, this is a fun day out for all the family. Taking place on a Saturday in early August it has heavy events, highland dancing, athletics, music and more.
Food Fests
Our featured islands are rightly proud of their bounty of local produce, be that from the land or surrounding waters. In Guernsey, The Big Eat food festivals run in April and October with events including month-long exciting menus and fantastic culinary experiences across the island. Jersey also showcases delicious local fayre at a variety of events throughout the year, including the Delicious Dine-Out Festival during October and November. In September in the Isles of Scilly, there’ s the Taste of Scilly and also in September is The Big Manx Feast.
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