BIOSPHERE FESTIVAL
27th June - 5th July 2026
Full programme to be announced very soon!
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What is the
Biosphere Festival?
The Isle of Wight Biosphere Festival returns in 2026!
Nine days of free or low-cost nature and community events across the whole Island, celebrating our unique UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, only one of seven in the UK. Our incredible natural diversity is reflected in a wonderfully varied programme: wildlife, art, walks, talks, fashion, science and more.
It’s set to be a thought-provoking, and inspiring celebration of what makes our Island great, showcasing over 80 local organisations, each running their own events. Whether you already care about the natural world, sustainability and community-led innovation or you’re ready to take the leap and learn more, here’s a snippet of what to look forward to:
Take a behind the scenes look at Permaculture Island, as seen on TV's ‘New Lives in the Wild’ with Ben Fogle
See the world through the eyes of an insect on a UV nighttime guided walk
Try your hand at freediving or a rockpool safari, exploring the island’s underwater wildlife local marine photographer Theo Vickers
Slow down and connect at Ocean Flow Yoga, overlooking the beautiful shores of Compton Bay
Take part in an immersive audio experience inside a medieval church that turns landscape into sound
Plus; creative writing, science, storytelling, arts and crafts, open gardens, carnivals, guided walks, sustainable fashion, performance and so much more.
Islander or visitor, take this opportunity to find hidden gems, unearth expert local knowledge and enjoy our unique and vibrant island nature. All are welcome to join us in the Isle of Wight Biosphere and Festival ferry discounts are available, see below.
Check back in early May for the full programme, or follow us/sign up to be the first to hear event news. Get in touch hello@iwbiosphere.org with press or other enquiries.
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Use #iwbiosphere and #iwbiospherefestival to share
FERRY DISCOUNTS
Thank you to Red Funnel and Wightlink for providing discounts to visitors travelling for the festival.
Why not bring your friends and family over to join in the celebrations?
Red Funnel Ferries
Foot Passenger Day Return - Adult: £14 | Child: £7
Foot Passenger Period Return - Adult: £23 | Child: £11.50
15% Off Vehicle Ferry Travel
Wightlink Ferries discount details coming soon
Proud to be partnering with the Wildheart Animal Sanctuary and their FOCAS festival. FOCAS stands for “Focus on Conservation and Science” and aims to make science and conservation more accessible to all children, bringing both to life in a fun and imaginative way. On Saturday 27th & Sunday 28th June 2026 as part of the festival they will be giving exclusive access to the Sanctuary for a very low price!
Festival news
We’ve been named one of the top ten nature festivals in the UK!
Thank you to the Guardian newspaper for the accolade and thank you to everyone in our community who has put on events and helped make this such a special celebration of our Biosphere Reserve.
FESTIVAL FAQ
What is the IW Biosphere Festival?
The Biosphere Festival is a nine‑day celebration of the Isle of Wight UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. It brings together local organisations, artists, communities and nature experts to showcase what makes our Island special, from wildlife and landscapes to culture, creativity and sustainable living. The festival includes walks, talks, workshops, performances, exhibitions and hands‑on activities for all ages. It has been running since 2024 and has expanded from 40 to nearly 100 events!
Who is organising the festival?
The festival is coordinated by the Isle of Wight UNESCO Biosphere Reserve team, in partnership with dozens of local organisations, community groups and venues across the Island. It was entirely volunteer run for the first two years but this year we were successful in winning a National Lottery Community Fund Awards for All grant and have been able to fund project roles for the first time.
When is it happening?
27 June – 5 July 2026.
Where is it held?
Events take place across the Isle of Wight at different locations. There is no single festival site.
What happens if the weather is bad?
Some events are weather‑dependent, particularly outdoor activities. If weather conditions mean an event has to change or be cancelled, updates will be shared via the event organiser and the festival social media pages and website.
Can local residents or groups get involved?
Yes! The festival is community‑led and relies on local organisations, groups and individuals to run events. The print deadline has passed but there may still be ways to be involved. There are also opportunities to volunteer and support the festival. If you’re interested, contact hello@iwbiosphere.org.
Is it free?
Many events are free, with others low‑cost. Any charges will be clearly shown on the online programme.
Do I need to book?
Some events are drop‑in, while others require advance booking. Check individual event listings.
What kind of events are included?
The programme includes a wide range of events, such as:
Guided walks and outdoor experiences
Wildlife and nature activities
Talks and discussions
Arts, music and performances
Family‑friendly activities
Conservation, climate and sustainability events
Creative workshops and community projects
With over 70 local organisations involved, no two days are the same.
Is it suitable for families?
Yes. Many events are family‑friendly and clearly labelled as such in the programme.
Do I need a car to get to events?
Not necessarily. Some events are in town centres or locations accessible by bus, walking or cycling, while others may be more rural. Travel information will be included in individual event listings where relevant.
Is parking available?
Parking arrangements vary by venue. Some locations have nearby public parking, while others encourage walking, cycling or public transport. Event listings will provide details where appropriate.
How do I get to events?
Some venues are accessible by foot, bus or bike, while others may require a car. Travel details are included in listings.
Are events accessible?
Accessibility varies by venue. Information will be provided in each event listing where possible.
Can I bring my dog?
Some outdoor events allow dogs. Assistance dogs are welcome at all events (although please note that Wildheart Animal Sanctuary only allows assistance dogs in certain locations on their site). Check individual listings.
Where can I see the program?
The full programme will be published on the Biosphere Festival website and updated regularly, there will also be access to a printed copy and each of the event spaces along with key Island locations will have these available.
How can I stay up to date?
You can:
Sign up to the newsletter
Check the festival webpage for updates.
These are the best ways to hear about new events, changes or highlights. You can also email hello@iwbiosphere.org with any enquiries.
Information for Festival event organisers
Sign up to our newsletter to get organiser updates with information, deadlines and ideas
Send us your listings information by the end of April. Here is what we need.
Get in touch with questions or let us know what you are planning asap at hello@iwbiosphere.org
Download an information pack with guidance and ideas
Share information about the festival on your own networks, posters and websites. Make sure you mention that it is part of the Biosphere Festival and use the partner graphic, and link back to this page. This helps boost all the other events!
Follow us on social media (Instagram and Facebook), use the hashtags #iwbiosphere and #iwbiospherefestival and tag us in posts about the festival
The festival relies on our island community to join together and put on events inspired by our Biosphere. Thank you to all the local organisers who put together events as part of our wonderful festival programme for 2025.
If you or your organisation are interested in taking part in the festival in 2026, here’s what you need to know:
What sort of events are we looking for? The Biosphere Festival welcomes events that celebrate the Isle of Wight’s unique environment and support the core Biosphere principles of People, Place and Nature. We’re particularly keen to feature activities that connect people with the Island’s landscapes, wildlife and heritage, such as guided walks, marine exploration, creative nature‑inspired arts, and hands‑on community projects. Events that promote sustainable living, from local food initiatives to repair workshops and climate‑positive activities, are especially encouraged, as are those that bring communities together to share skills, stories and local pride.
We’re also looking for events that shine a light on research and innovation, highlighting the environmental, ecological, and climate‑related work taking place across the Island. This could include talks or exhibitions showcasing research findings, citizen science sessions, or demonstrations of new approaches to supporting nature recovery.
Whether educational, creative, practical or collaborative, events should help people experience the Biosphere in meaningful ways that inspire understanding, stewardship and positive action.
We also need volunteers to help organise and assist during the festival. Please email us if you are interested at hello@iwbiosphere.org.
Can you sponsor us? We need additional funds to keep the festival going, get in touch if you can help.
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