Christmas on the Isle of Wight

Things to do!

https://www.visitisleofwight.co.uk/whats-on/events/christmas-events

Festive Fun at Osborne 29 Nov-21 Dec

https://www.visitisleofwight.co.uk/whats-on/festive-fun-at-osborne-p2440751 or https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/whats-on/osborne-festive-fun-2025/

• Take in a Victorian seasonal celebration at the family home of Queen Victoria! Make magical memories as you explore the grounds and enjoy festive activities.
• Soak up the sights, sounds and scents of Christmas past and present.
• Entry price - £19 per adult; child (5 and over) £12.20

Brighstone Christmas Tree Festival 04-07 Dec

https://www.visitisleofwight.co.uk/whats-on/brighstone-christmas-tree-festival-p2472421 or https://brighstonechristmastree.com/

• Featuring over 150 beautifully decorated Christmas trees displayed across 8 charming venues.
• Free entry and venues open daily from 10 am to 5 pm (last entry 4.30pm), this is an unmissable event for the whole family.

Christmas at Tapnell Farm… A Magical Winter Woodland Village 06/07 Dec; 13/14 Dec; 20-23 Dec

https://www.visitisleofwight.co.uk/whats-on/christmas-at-tapnell-farm-park-p1811431 or https://tapnellfarm.com/play/events/christmas-at-tapnell

• A barn full of hands-on activities, festive fun, and a special visit to meet Santa and Mrs Claus.
• The events barn will be transformed into a quintessential winter woodland village, complete with twinkling lights, snow-dusted trees, cheeky characters, and a sleigh fit for Santa.
• Families can enjoy a 35-minute festive trail packed with activities, crafts and photo opportunities, before the highlight of the experience – a private family meet and greet with Santa and Mrs Claus.
• New for this year Christmas at Tapnell will focus on flexible, activity-led fun at a more affordable price, with tickets starting from just £10 per person. Families can choose how to spend their 30 minutes in the activity barn, whether that’s trying a little of everything or spending more time at their favourites. Including:
• Decorating a gingerbread treat at the Gingerbread Baking Co.
• Mixing magical reindeer food to take home at the Reindeer Refuelling Station.
• Visiting the stables to meet furry friends and capture festive photos.
• Creating a Christmas decoration in the Elf’s Workshop.
• Climbing aboard Santa’s sleigh for the perfect festive photo.
• Discovering your fate with the Naughty & Nice Machine.
• Meeting Santa and Mrs Claus in their cosy Christmas home, with a gift for every child.
• All-day access to The Jingle Bale Play, a festive straw bale play zone.
• Christmas at Tapnell runs on 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21, 22 and 23 December.
• Tickets cost from £17.50 per child (including gift), £10 per adult, with under 2s free (or £5 with a gift).
• Farm Park entry is not included 

Southern Vectis Christmas Lights Tour 08-24 Dec

https://www.visitisleofwight.co.uk/whats-on/southern-vectis-christmas-lights-tour-p1656981 or https://www.islandbuses.info/xmas-lights-2025

• The Southern Vectis Christmas Lights Tour offers spectacular views of the Isle of Wight at night and visits some of the island's best Christmas light displays.
• With the bus decked out in tinsel and lights, Christmas tunes playing overhead and Santa behind the wheel, the Christmas Lights Tour is the perfect festive night out for families, friends, couples, adults and children alike - a truly unique way to enjoy the island at Christmas.
• The whole trip will last around 120 mins. Wrap up warm and join in the festive fun.
• Christmas Lights Tour tickets (8 December - 23 December 2025):
• Adult: £16
• Children (under 16): £10
• Family (2 adults + 2 children): £45
• Family (2 adults + 3 children): £48
• Christmas Eve ticket prices: This year there is a extra special trip on Christmas Eve for the first time. Join the special trip to get into the festive spirit. This trip includes treats on board as well as a drink and treat at the Wildheart Animal Sanctuary. It is a fantastic way to see in the festivities the night before Christmas.
• Adult: £22
• Children (under 16): £16
• Family (2 adults + 2 children): £63
• Family (2 adults + 3 children): £66

Chilly Hilly - 14 Dec

https://www.visitisleofwight.co.uk/whats-on/west-wight-chilly-hilly-p1935471   or https://isleofwightfestivalofrunning.co.uk/chilly-hilly/

• What better way to begin winter festivities than with a 10 mile run in the spectacular West Wight countryside?
• Taking in cliff paths, beaches, wooded glades and spectacular views, the route delivers one of the best that the Isle of Wight has to offer.
• Leaving Freshwater, the route winds through the wooded valley to Freshwater Bay, before climbing towards the Tennyson Monument which dominates the skyline and you are treated to spectacular views of both the Solent and English Channel.
• Heading West towards the Needles, before descending towards Alum Bay and then climbing over Headon Warren along striking chalk paths, you will arrive at the sea in Totland Bay, where the crashing waves will accompany you along the sea wall and over the headland to Colwell Bay.
• Finally heading inland past Golden Hill Fort, a well-deserved glass a mulled wine, mince pies and sustainable medal will await you.
• £25 per person

Community Drinks at Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary, Wroxall:

https://www.visitisleofwight.co.uk/whats-on/community-christmas-drinks-at-isle-of-wight-donkey-sanctuary-p2703311 or https://www.iowdonkeysanctuary.org/ 

• 10am-12pm
• Free
• Christmas Day the Isle of Wight Donkey Sanctuary's café will be open serving complimentary tea, coffee, mince pies, and a friendly chat.
• No access to walkways or the barns

Something to Eat?

Pubs, cafés and restaurants making the most the Isle of Wight delicious local produce include:

The White Horse, Whitwell:

https://whitehorseiow.co.uk/christmas/ 

• Found in the historic village of Whitwell, close to Ventnor
• The oldest pub on the Isle of Wight, dating back to 1454
• Sumptuous home-cooked food
• Log fire in the bar lounge
• Dog friendly
• Open Christmas Day

The Griffin, Godshill:

https://www.heritagepubs.co.uk/griffin-godshill/event/occasion/christmas

• A Greene King pub situated in the village of picture-perfect village of Godshill
• Nearby walks to work up an appetite
• Dog friendly
• Open Christmas Day

The Albion, Freshwater Bay:

https://www.visitisleofwight.co.uk/whats-on/christmas-at-the-albion-p2661661 or https://www.albionhotel.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/105/2025/11/Christmas-lunch.pdf

• Open on Christmas Day for a special lunch menu
• Soak up the festive feeling at Freshwater Bay
• In 2024, The Albion completed a multi-million pound refurb under new owners
• The Rock restaurant over looks the stunning Freshwater Bay, framed by white cliffs

RT Café Grill, Ryde:

https://www.visitisleofwight.co.uk/things-to-do/rt-cafe-grill-and-thompsons-p1374351 or https://www.robertthompson.co.uk/rt-cafe-grill or

• Chef patron Robert Thompson MBE is the UK British Restaurant Awards Chef of the Year 2025,
• RT Cafe Grill won UK British Restaurant Awards Best New Restaurant 2024
• Situated on the sea front at Ryde
• Views out across the Solent
• Not open Christmas Day

Sample Dishes include:

Roasted Pumpkin & Wild Mushroom Spanakopita

Pappardelle with Tiger Prawns & Lobster Sauce

Roast Turkey with Chestnut Stuffing & All the Trimmings

Sticky Toffee Pudding (Vegan)

Christmas Pudding Parfait

Red Lion, Freshwater:

https://www.redlion-freshwater.co.uk/  or Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/redlionfreshwater/

• Recently named in the Good Food Guide’s Top 100 Pubs (83 and the only one on the Isle of Wight),
• Chef Sean Jeffers and his team have earned 2 AA Rosettes
• The only Michelin Guide recommended pub on the Isle of Wight (the say ‘the delicious beef fat crumpet and the sticky toffee pudding also help! The traditional building has origins dating back to the 11th century, so it's a place full of character, with the garden also supplying super-fresh produce for the clean, well-executed dishes.’)
• The Red Lion is a traditional country pub featuring original flagstone floor and open fire.
• Located in a quiet, rural corner of Freshwater close to the Causeway making it an ideal venue for cyclists and walkers – a beautiful walk between the beautiful harbour town of Yarmouth and the village of Freshwater
• Not open Christmas Day

The Portland Inn, Gurnard:

https://www.visitisleofwight.co.uk/things-to-do/portland-inn-p152011 or https://www.theportlandinn.co.uk/

• Recently refurbished following a fire
• Locally sourced food
• Dog friendly
• Not open Christmas Day

Smoking Lobster – Cowes and Ventnor:

https://www.visitisleofwight.co.uk/things-to-do/smoking-lobster-ventnor-beach-p1986401 or https://www.visitisleofwight.co.uk/things-to-do/smoking-lobster-cowes-marina-p1986191 or https://www.smoking-lobster.co.uk/

• Seafood with a Pan-Asian twist
• Multi-award winning
• Ventnor restaurant location on the beach
• Cowes restaurant location in the bustling High Street
• Both booked for Christmas Day

Where to stay!

Christmas at The Albion, Freshwater Bay

https://www.visitisleofwight.co.uk/whats-on/christmas-at-the-albion-p2661661 or https://www.albionhotel.co.uk/christmas-at-the-albion/

• Discounted ferry travel available
• 24-28 Dec
• Rooms from £240 per night
• Christmas Eve
• Check in from 2pm and take time to watch the Winter waves before joining us at 6pm for drinks and a festive a la carte dinner followed by our Christmas DJ to bring even more sparkle to the evening.
• Christmas Day
• Start your special day with a Christmas breakfast in The Rock Restaurant at our hotel. At 1pm gather for drinks at the bar, followed by a sumptuous five-course Christmas lunch at 2pm. You can choose lunch from the traditional Christmas menu or the vegetarian menu, priced at £175 per person.
• In the evening, you can choose to enjoy a specially prepared hamper (£65 per hamper for two people) that will be delivered to your room after the restaurant closes at 6pm. The bar will be open until 10.30pm if you wish to keep the party going after lunch.
• Boxing Day
• Enjoy a leisurely breakfast that will set you up for the day. With seasonal specials on offer you will be tempted by the festive a la carte lunch on offer. In the evening enjoy dinner with live music at 9pm.
• Saturday 27 December
• The festive feeling will remain with seasonal menus and evening entertainment.

The Lakeside Hotel and Spa, Wootton:

https://www.visitisleofwight.co.uk/accommodation/lakeside-park-hotel-and-spa-p266351 or https://www.lakesideparkhotel.com/christmas-5/christmas-package/

• Discounted ferry travel available
• Prices from £1200 for 3 nights (Xmas Eve, Xmas Day, Boxing Day - based on 2 adults sharing one room)
• Highlights include:
• Sparkling Cream Tea
• Christmas Day
• Bucks Fizz breakfast
• Christmas day lunch
• Screening of the King’s Speech
• Christmas movie
• Boxing Day breakfast
• Falconry
• Hot chocolate & marshmallows
• Three course dinner
• Farewell Breakfast

Christmas at The Wight, Sandown:

https://www.visitisleofwight.co.uk/whats-on/a-wight-christmas-twixmas-and-new-year-celebration-p1931121 or https://www.wighthotel.co.uk/christmas-new-year/

• Discounted ferry travel available
• 23-27 Dec or 27-30 Dec or 30 Dec-03 Jan
• Book before the 30 November 2025 to book the below prices.
• Christmas stay: Adult rate – £530 per adult for 4 nights
• Twixmas stay: Adult rate - £255 per adult for 3 nights

• Christmas stay
• The 4-night Christmas stay is on a full board basis starting with dinner on Tuesday 23rd December and ends with breakfast on Saturday 27 December (includes 3 lunches).
• Adult rate is £530 with reductions made for children (priced according to age).
• You can extend your Christmas break by arriving before the 23 December for just £65 per adult per night on a bed and breakfast basis. Alternatively, you can stay after the 27 December for part or all of the Twixmas offer for just £86 per adult per night on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis (£63 if only B&B).
• Twixmas stay
• The Twixmas stay begins on Saturday 27 December and ends on Tuesday 30 December on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis.
• Adult rate is £255 with reductions made for children (priced according to age). Alternatively you can stay for a Twixmas break on a bed and breakfast only basis for £189 per adult with reductions made for children.

Getting here:

Cross the Solent from Southsea, Southampton, Portsmouth or Lymington.

Wightlink

Car ferry from Portsmouth to Fishbourne: https://www.wightlink.co.uk/plan-your-journey/routes#portsmouth-fishbourne

Car ferry from Lymington to Yarmouth: https://www.wightlink.co.uk/plan-your-journey/routes#lymington-yarmouth

Foot passenger ferry from Portsmouth to Ryde Pier Head: https://www.wightlink.co.uk/plan-your-journey/routes#portsmouth-ryde-route

Red Funnel

Car ferry from Southampton to East Cowes: https://www.redfunnel.co.uk/isle-of-wight-ferry/routes/east-cowes-to-southampton

Foot passenger from Southampton to Cowes: https://www.redfunnel.co.uk/isle-of-wight-ferry/routes/southampton-to-west-cowes

Hovertravel

Hovercraft from Southsea (Portsmouth) to Ryde: https://www.hovertravel.co.uk/

Getting around the Isle of Wight:

Southern Vectis: https://www.islandbuses.info/

Taxi and car hire: https://www.visitisleofwight.co.uk/travel/driving-on-the-iw