Curtain up for 2026: new museums and cultural experiences

aerial-portsmouth-spinnaker-gunwharf

a-sign-for-kings-coastal-path

A sign for Kings Coastal Path

Go wild: coastlines, peaks and starry skies

a-group-of-friends-walking-across-a-bridge-in-manchester

A group of friends walking across a bridge in Manchester

peaky-blinders-pub-birmingham

Peaky Blinders Pub Birmingham

Britain on screen: 2026 film & TV highlights

cardiff-castle-a-dj-using-music-decks-on-a-stage-overlooking-a-crowd-in-the-grounds

Cardiff Castle - A DJ using music decks on a stage overlooking a crowd in the grounds

Tastes of 2026: new flavours and spirited openings

londons-southbank-at-night

London's Southbank at night

Discover Britain’s biggest events and openings in 2026 – from new museums and festivals to scenic trails. Sail from the Isle of Wight with Wightlink.

Mainland Adventures 2026 – New Openings & Events | Wightlink

Mainland

new-forest

New Forest

Love Southsea Dockyard Christmas Market – Portsmouth Historic Dockyard

Panto Fun – Aladdin at the Kings Theatre & Snow White at New Theatre Royal

Christmasville - Gunwharf Quays, Portsmouth

A Palace House Christmas – Beaulieu, New Forest

spinnaker-tower-santa

Spinnaker Tower Santa

Santa’s Toymaker Workshop - Spinnaker Tower, Portsmouth

longleat-christmas-illuminations-2

Longleat Christmas illuminations (2)

Festival of Light: British Icons with Wallace and Gromit & Friends – Longleat, Wiltshire

aerial-view-of-a-grand-palace-exterior-courtyard

Aerial view of a grand palace exterior courtyard.

‘The Palace of Oz’ – Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire

Walking in the Air: The Snowman™ Live Tour – Nationwide

All aboard THE POLAR EXPRESS™ – Various UK locations

Santa – The Visit – Cheltenham, Gloucestershire

Twilight Tales – Winter Island, Manchester

group-of-friends-observing-an-immersive-art-installation-with-glowing-jellyfish-and-tree-like-structures

Group of friends observing an immersive art installation with glowing jellyfish and tree like structures

The Last Sprouts – Wake the Tiger, Bristol

Luminate Light Trails 2025 – Various UK locations

light-up-hillier-gardensat-sir-harold-hillier-gardens-romsey-hampshire-great-britain-29th-november-2024-press-preview-sir-harold-hillier-gardens-light-up-festive-light-art-installationsruns-th

Sir Harold Hillier Gardens, Romsey, Hampshire, Great Britain 29th November 2024 Press preview Sir Harold Hillier Gardens Light Up Festive light art installationsRuns Thursday 28 November 2024 – Wednesday 1 January 2025*,

Light Up Sir Harold Hillier Gardens – Hampshire

A Royal Christmas at Highgrove, near Tetbury, Cotswolds

Sail from the Isle of Wight for festive fun you can’t find at home. From light trails and steam trains to THE POLAR EXPRESS™ and The Snowman™ Live, discover the best Christmas days out on the mainland with Wightlink.

Mainland Adventures This Christmas – Festive Days Out from the Isle of Wight for Islanders with Wightlink

james-rayner

James Rayner

wight-whisky-wight-garden-can

Wight Whisky - Wight Garden can

Wight Whisky - Wight Garden (250ml) x 12 - £45

graces-giftbox-hamper-made-up-with-scones-cheese-chutney-and-tea

Grace's giftbox hamper made up with scones, cheese, chutney and tea

Grace’s Bakery - Savoury Afternoon Tea - £28

festive-food-from-the-isle-of-wight-2-2

Festive Food from the Isle of Wight 2 (2)

Island Leaf - All Day Breakfast - Loose Leaf (90g)  - £4.95

south-island-pale-ale

South Island Pale Ale

Goddard’s Brewery - South Island Pale Ale (12 bottles) - £33.60

vampire-relish-garlic-farm

Vampire Relish - Garlic Farm

Garlic Farm - Vampire Relish - Hot Tomato Salsa - £4.95

festive-food-from-the-isle-of-wight-5

Festive Food from the Isle of Wight (5)

Frostbite Bakery - Boris The Beast - £180

festive-food-from-the-isle-of-wight-2

Festive Food from the Isle of Wight (2)

Isle of Wight Distillery - Mermaid Pink Gin (70cl) - £41

briddlesford-a-cheese-tomato-and-rocket-sandwich-on-white-bread-is-on-a-chopping-board-alongside-a-packet-of-cheddar-cheese

Briddlesford - A cheese, tomato and rocket sandwich on white bread is on a chopping board alongside a packet of cheddar cheese

Briddlesford Farm Dairy - Cheddar Cheese - £5.40

jaspers-coffee-espresso-machine

Jaspers Coffee espresso machine

Jasper’s Coffee - Single Origin Colombian Coffee (200g) - £15.95

isle-of-wight-tomatoes-romesco-sauce-with-plate-of-food

Isle of Wight Tomatoes Romesco sauce with plate of food

Tomato Stall - Romesco Tomato Sauce - £4.50

festive-food-from-the-isle-of-wight-3

Festive Food from the Isle of Wight (3)

festive-food-from-the-isle-of-wight-2-3

Festive Food from the Isle of Wight 2 (3)

Isle of Wight Grain - Strong White Flour - £3.50

Food and drink from the Island’s talented farmers, makers, brewers and bakers. Perfect Christmas gifts for the foodie in your life.

Festive Food Guide - Isle of Wight gifts for foodies

Shopping

Where to eat

gifts-for-a-wight-christmas-wightlife-10

Gifts for a Wight Christmas - Wightlife (10)

gifts-for-a-wight-christmas-wightlife-7

Gifts for a Wight Christmas - Wightlife (7)

gifts-for-a-wight-christmas-wightlife-4

Gifts for a Wight Christmas - Wightlife (4)

Christmas Stocking Fillers from the Isle of Wight

gifts-for-a-wight-christmas-wightlife-9

Gifts for a Wight Christmas - Wightlife (9)

The best gifts for everyone this Christmas, made on the Isle of Wight

Gifts for a Wight Christmas

Isle of Wight

Things to do

moble-sauna-in-wales

Moble Sauna in Wales

Pause, breathe, repeat: wellness and mindful retreats

Trails, peaks and moonlight views: nature and scenic exploration

two-friends-eating-bowls-of-food-on-a-mezzanine

Two friends eating bowls of food on a mezzanine

From forage to feast: innovative food and drink experiences

a-group-of-people-practising-yoga-on-a-beach

A group of people practising yoga on a beach

Escape the everyday this January with Wightlink. Sail from the Isle of Wight for wellness retreats, foodie adventures and scenic trails across the mainland.

Mainland Wellness & Winter Escapes This January | Wightlink

the-christmas-imaginarium-ryde

The Christmas Imaginarium Ryde

tapnell-farm-park-santa-1

Tapnell Farm Park - Santa-1

santa-special-snow_ian-pratt-1920x1280

Santa-Special-snow_Ian-Pratt-1920x1280

Festive Specials at the Isle of Wight Steam Railway

woman-shopping-with-paper-bags-at-christmas

Woman shopping with paper bags at Christmas

southern-vectic-christmas-lights-bus-tour-1

Southern Vectic Christmas Lights Bus tour 1

the-cow-tapnell-farm-christmas-wreath-making-decorations-2021

The-Cow-Tapnell-Farm-Christmas-Wreath-Making-decorations-2021

chilly-hilly-ed-garbett-photo-3

Chilly-Hilly-Ed-Garbett-photo-3

corries-cabin-cowes-battered-sprouts-in-bacon-isle-of-wight

Corries Cabin Cowes - battered sprouts in bacon - Isle of Wight

ventnor-beach-isle-of-wight

Ventnor Beach, Isle of Wight

santa-at-iwsr-1920x1280

Santa-at-IWSR-1920x1280

Plan your perfect Isle of Wight Christmas 2025 – visit Santa, explore festive markets, enjoy cosy pubs and make magical memories by the sea.

Christmas on the Isle of Wight | Your 2025 Festive Guide

darragh-gray

Darragh Gray

the-ale-house-in-cowes-darragh-gray

The Ale House in Cowes - Darragh Gray

the-star-coffee-and-ale-house-in-ryde-darragh-gray

The Star Coffee and Ale House in Ryde - Darragh Gray

newports-castle-inn-darragh-gray

Newport’s Castle Inn - Darragh Gray

the-griffin-in-godshill-darragh-gray

The Griffin in Godshill - Darragh Gray

beers-at-bembridges-pilot-boat-inn-darragh-gray

Beers at Bembridge’s Pilot Boat Inn - Darragh Gray

fishermans-cottage-in-shanklin-darragh-gray

Fisherman’s Cottage in Shanklin - Darragh Gray

the-volunteer-in-ventnor-darragh-gray

The Volunteer in Ventnor - Darragh Gray

the-buddle-inn-darragh-gray

The Buddle Inn - Darragh Gray

the-red-lion-wightlink-dog-friendly

The Red Lion - Wightlink Dog Friendly

the-highdown-inn-darragh-gray

The Highdown Inn - Darragh Gray

bugle-coaching-inn-in-yarmouth-darragh-gray

Bugle Coaching Inn in Yarmouth - Darragh Gray

couplemeetingforlunchtimedrinksintraditionalenglishpubmaking

Couple,Meeting,For,Lunchtime,Drinks,In,Traditional,English,Pub,Making

Discover 12 of the cosiest pubs on the Isle of Wight — from smugglers’ inns to seaside taverns. Perfect spots for autumn walks, log fires and great beer.

Cosy Isle of Wight Pubs | 12 Perfect Autumn and Winter Warmers

Frightening folklore or just plain fiction?

vbg_royal-ventnor-hospital

VBG_Royal Ventnor Hospital

carisbrooke-castle-haunted

Carisbrooke Castle - Haunted

ghostly-female-figure-walking-on-a-wooded-path

Ghostly female figure walking on a wooded path

Considered to be one of the most haunted places in the world, the Isle of Wight certainly has more than its fair share of ghosts

The Dark Side of the Wight

spacious-stays-on-the-isle-of-wight

Spacious stays on the Isle of Wight

spacious-stays-on-the-isle-of-wight-5

Spacious stays on the Isle of Wight (5)

spacious-stays-on-the-isle-of-wight-6

Spacious stays on the Isle of Wight (6)

spacious-stays-on-the-isle-of-wight-1

Spacious stays on the Isle of Wight (1)

spacious-stays-on-the-isle-of-wight-4

Spacious stays on the Isle of Wight (4)

Gather the gang and book a spacious Isle of Wight rental, guaranteed to and create memories to last a lifetime this Christmas

Spacious Stays for a Magical Christmas on the Isle of Wight

Places to stay

Experience autumn colours, festive markets and cosy pubs in the New Forest. See pigs on pannage, follow light trails and sail from the Isle of Wight with Wightlink.

Autumn and Winter in the New Forest 2025 – Explore with Wightlink

Lymington

Wightlink

visit-portsmouth-logo-on-background

Visit Portsmouth Logo on background

Autumn and Christmas Events in Portsmouth 2025

great-south-run-portsmouth-774x434

Great-South-Run-Portsmouth-774x434

Discover what’s on in Portsmouth this autumn – from the Great South Run to pantos, festive markets and family fun. Sail from the Isle of Wight with Wightlink.

Autumn and Christmas Events in Portsmouth 2025 | Wightlink Ferries 

Portsmouth

pumkin-patch-canva-stock-blog-images

Pumkin patch - Canva Stock - Blog images

Family at Halloween celebrating at Blackgang Chine's Frights and Sprites event

frights-and-sprites-at-blackgang-chine-774x434

Discover the best things to do on the Isle of Wight this October – from spooky Halloween fun and autumn walks to food festivals and steam train rides.

The real Isle of Wight

Discover the Isle of Wight with Wightlink

Things to do on the Isle of Wight in November

What’s new on the Mainland? Events and Adventures in 2026

Mainland Adventures This Christmas – Festive Days Out On The North Island

Festive Food Guide – Isle of Wight gifts for foodies

Gifts for a Wight Christmas

Mainland Moments – start the new year with a winter escape

Dreaming of a Wight Christmas: your festive guide to the Isle of Wight

Cosy Isle of Wight pubs for cooler months

The Dark Side of the Wight

Spacious Stays for a Magical Christmas on the Isle of Wight

What’s on in The New Forest – adventures on the mainland

What’s on in Portsmouth – adventures on the mainland

Things to do on the Isle of Wight in October

Wightlink email