Dreaming of a Wight Christmas. Your festive guide to the Isle of Wight

The Isle of Wight is full Christmas spirit this year, with an array of festive activities for the most wonderful winter stay or day trip in December 2024. As the frost covers the Isle of Wight’s vast countryside, beautiful beaches and pretty villages, the Island transforms into a winter wonderland; perfect for a family walk, a roast dinner in a cosy pub, a spot of Christmas shopping or even a visit to Father Christmas himself….

Christmas is waiting for you as early as March at the Christmas Imaginarium in Ryde! Whether you’re fanatical about festivities or want to get organised early, you can visit this shop for 10 months of the year. But of course, it really comes alive at Christmas time and it’s an easy stroll from our FastCat port on Ryde Pier Head.

The author and illustrator of Santa Claus: The Book of Secrets, Russell Ince, was born on the Isle of Wight and created his own range of Christmas decorations before opening the Imaginarium five years ago. The Imaginarium moved to a larger property last year, so now’s a great time to check out the new premises and stock up on yuletide goodies.

Or pay a visit to Shanklin’s Jingle Bells Christmas Shop – a cherished part of Islanders’ Christmas traditions since it opened in 2009. The owners had a vision to create a haven where the spirit of Christmas thrives year-round and it’s a real treat to visit.

Tapnell Farm Park’s award-winning immersive Christmas experience is back for 2024! Embark on an enchanting new journey with new characters and storyline, in “Christmas at Tapnell… There’s no time like the present!” – an all-weather Christmas experience on selected dates between 1 and 24 December 2024.

This magical new adventure starts at home once you’ve purchased your tickets online, with an urgent voice message from Father Time who needs your help to save Christmas! With time itself at stake, can you solve the puzzles and discover the secrets hidden in the past, present, and future? Every second counts towards saving Christmas … and at the end of your journey, you will meet Santa himself! Travel away from the humdrum, far from your daily worries, and straight to a place of wonderment, where kids can be kids and grown-ups can too! The Farm Park will be fully decorated to welcome the festive season, there will be festive music, and the café will be serving delicious festive treats too.

Climb aboard the Isle of Wight’s historic steam trains for a journey through a wintery woodland with Santa before Christmas, for a proper ‘old-fashioned, Enid Blyton style’ adventure. You can travel in style with the family, singing classic Christmas carols and enjoying the beauty of the Island’s countryside from the warmth of the restored carriages on one of these “Santa Specials”. After your train ride, visit Santa’s North Pole station.  On 13 and 20 December there will be a one train service. On 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22, 23, 24 December 2024 there will be a two train service.

From artisans and craftspeople to independent shops and retailers, the Isle of Wight provides no shortage of wrappable gifts and goodies to stick in those stockings and pop under that tree. Whether it’s our silversmiths, glassblowers, potters or painters, the Island is home to a surprisingly diverse and vibrant network of makers and creators, pursuing their passions in every town and village.

On top of that, the Island’s high streets contain a proud assortment of independent shops and locally-run retailers, their shelves filled with high-quality local, national and international products that will leave your bag for life bulging at the seams. Together these businesses offer creative, unusual and often unique presents you’d be hard pushed to find elsewhere. Time your visit with one of the Christmas markets across the Island and you’ll get even more out of your visit.

Get wrapped up ready for a unique experience for all the family (including the dog!) aboard an open top bus on the Isle of Wight. Running from Friday 6 December through to Monday 23 December, 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 and Santa behind the wheel, the  Tour is the perfect festive night out. The whole trip lasts around 120 mins and there’s a refreshment (and gift shop) stop along the way at the Wildheart Animal Sanctuary. There is limited capacity on each trip so book early to avoid disappointment.

Several venues on the Island are offering Wreath Making Workshops throughout the 2024 festive season including Ventnor Botanic Garden and The Cow at Tapnell Farm.  The classes have everything you need to create a personalised masterpiece, such as tools, frames, foliage, ribbons and scented decorations.  Just bring your creative flair!

With an experienced tutor leading the way you can while away a few hours in good company. Some of the workshops include festive refreshments too.

The Chilly Hilly is the Isle of Wight’s biggest winter running event and takes place on Sunday 8 December 2024. Organised by Love Running, this route is guaranteed to warm you up… because there are a truck-load of hills in West Wight!

The scenery is to die for, so it’s a worthwhile challenge just for the views. Ten miles across the marsh, downs, cliffs, beaches and paths of the west of the Isle of Wight.  You’ll start and finish at the West Wight Sports & Community Centre, where you can expect a festive atmosphere.

You can count on the folk at Corrie’s Cabin in Cowes to conjure up new battered creations, and this December is no different. Previous years have seen everything from an epic foot-long pig in blanket and battered sprouts to battered mince pies and stuffing fritters. You’ll be sure to get a taste of Chrimbo here! And calories don’t count when it’s Christmas, right? What’s more, this chippy will match all donations to the Isle of Wight Foodbank that are raised in the restaurant.

Blow away the post-Christmas cobwebs with a bracing dip in the sea at Ventnor on 26 December. The annual Boxing Day Swim attracts over 1,000 people to Ventnor seafront so it’s quite a spectacle – whether you’re dipping yourself or just spectating! Fancy dress is positively encouraged and there’s a great atmosphere. The event usually kicks off around 12 noon, but check Facebook for the latest updates.  Then warm up with a tipple at The Spyglass Inn afterwards.