BIOSPHERE FESTIVAL PROGRAMME

Your mission starts at The Port. Head down, sign up, and pick up your instructions - everything you need to begin your adventure is waiting there. The game runs throughout Biosphere Festival week, so whether you stumble across it on opening day or catch it on the last afternoon, there's always time to play. Come back and go further. Every day is a new chance to explore.

Of Wool and Words is a creative writing workshop which will explore the ancient traditions of livestock farming, spinning and weaving, and celebrate the combination of nature, people and place. Taking place at The Green Barn.

Participants will be encouraged to consider pastoral poems, the interaction between humans and nature, and how farming is portrayed within literature.

Bonchurch Open Gardens is a much-loved annual event inviting visitors to explore a collection of 15+ private gardens across the historic village of Bonchurch on the Isle of Wight.

For two afternoons, garden gates are opened to reveal everything from cottage-style planting and wildlife-friendly spaces to established coastal gardens with sea views. 

The Earth Museum is creating a photographic exhibition and digital learning resource telling stories about people, past and present, who’ve helped shape the stunning West Wight biosphere landscape.

Find out about the project, and share stories you know about West Wight’s heritage through words, images and sounds; celebrating what makes this part of the island truly unforgettable.

Translating Frequencies: 639 returns to Calbourne Church by popular demand, following a hugely well-received installation last year.

Created by Isle of Wight artist Nathan Holt, this unique immersive sound art experience weaves together field recordings and 639hz frequency to transform the ancient resonant space of the church into a living instrument.

Come and join a welcome picnic at ‘The Haven’, the new charity managing the old ‘Bucks School Camp Field’ (or Scout Field) on the edge of Nettlestone. 

Live music, children’s activities, and a warm welcome to this exciting new community project awaits.  This 6.5 acre field with facilities has welcomed thousands of children in the last 90 years, and with your help, it will again!  

New Carnival presents the IW Mardi Gras 2026 -Folktastic Isle – Stories, Myths and Legends. Continuing our two year Folktastic theme, this year our parade will tell many of the island’s lesser know folk stories.

With over 23 local schools and community groups taking part, plus samba bands and New Carnival’s spectacular giant puppets – this is sure to be an afternoon you won’t forget! Includes the children’s Mini Mardi Gras at 11am before the main Mardi Gras parade sets off at 3pm.

Join Cyclewight for a family friendly group cycle ride from Merstone station to Yaverland, then on to Shanklin and back.

This will be a fun, very safe and slow paced cycle with multiple points to join, so everyone can get involved!

Bring your children along to Ryde Library for a free, special ocean-themed story time and enjoy a hands-on craft session making jellyfish.

No need to book, just turn up! Suitable for 3+

Join Wight Nature Fund for a celebration of the Island’s UNESCO Biosphere. This year our focus will be on the wonderful island trees. We will have an exhibition of tree photos by one of our Trustees Terence Hart.

There will be a scavenger hunt around Mill Copse for children too and we will be running a tour of Mill Copse, showcasing its history and the coppicing work that we have recently been doing in Partnership with the Isle of Wight College.

Step away from the hustle of modern life and join the National Trust for a guided wellbeing walk through the stunning Newtown National Nature Reserve.

This gentle walk is designed to help you connect with nature on a deeper level, with opportunities for mindfulness, meditation, and sensory experiences along the way.

On the cliff edges of Ventnor, sits a smallholding that’s completely self-sustaining. As seen on Ben Fogle’s ‘New Lives in The Wild’, Permaculture Island will be opening their doors for the Biosphere Festival. Experience what it’s really like to live and work in an off-grid small holding, from food systems to livestock, and community connection.

Visit Holly Maslen in her studio by the sea, Maslen Studios. Browse her exhibition of reimagined, painted clothing. For only £15, whilst you’re enjoying the free exhibition, Holly will paint a unique emblem on a leather item of your choice. Learn about her craft and head home with a one-off piece.

Join Fishbourne Parish Council for a walk via Abbey church through woodland and on to the Old Abbey ruins. Led by the very knowledgeable chairman of the ”Friends of Quarr”, the walk (on private Quarr land) takes you around the ancient ruins and describes the workings of a medieval monastery.

Bring your children to Freshwater Library for a FREE family-friendly event. Where they can pot up some sunflowers to take home and enjoy.

Give them the opportunity to learn how to care for plants and watch them grow.

Join Calbourne Water Mill for a vibrant Summer Market, celebrating the Isle of Wight Biosphere Festival. Set within picturesque grounds rich in history, this special event brings together the best of local craftsmanship, creativity, and nature.

Browse a variety of unique craft stalls, take part in hands-on workshops, and soak up the relaxed, community atmosphere. Enjoy refreshments at the on-site café.

Hop aboard the maritime discovery bus and dive into the marine world of the Isle of Wight. Parked at the new and exciting Museum and Maritime Archeology Centre (situated in the old Yarmouth Primary School), interact with artefacts and chat to experts. This family-friendly event promises the discovery of stories of shipwrecks from around the island, and how some have now transformed into homes for marine creatures.

Always wanted to try weaving for yourself?

Adults can drop in to Ryde Library enjoy this weaving craft using old CDs and learn how old household items can be repurposed for crafting.

A relaxed, family-friendly celebration of food, nature, and local history at Riboleau Studio and Gardens. Discover the journey your food takes in our interactive activity, “Local or Imported?”, where you’ll explore where your fruit and vegetables come from and how far they’ve travelled to reach your plate. Get creative in our knitting workshop, where you can craft your own colourful vegetables - perfect for all ages and skill levels.

Join Calbourne Water Mill for a BioBlitz, where people of all ages can explore, discover, and celebrate local wildlife. Drop in between 10am – 4pm to enjoy guided nature walks, hands-on activities, species’ surveys and informal wildlife spotting in a beautiful, historic setting. An evening session will also take place on the 3rd of July, offering a chance to experience wildlife after dark. No experience necessary – just bring your curiosity! Free to attend, with parking, a café available on site and a bus stop located just outside the site for easy access.

Running for a whole week, experience the island like never before. This exhibition at the Brading Roman Villa showcases breathtaking work from local island photographers. From sweeping seascapes to intimate glimpses of nature, each photograph offers a fresh and personal perspective on the place we call home. Alongside ceramic works inspired by the island’s deep connection to the sea that surrounds it, see works from Karen at KE Ceramics. A cohesive and immersive experience.

Go along to Farringford Gardens and gather at the searching station to collect your tools and bug hunting guide. See what you can find and record your discoveries in our logbook!

While you’re here why not explore the meadow and parkland walk, complete the nature spotting trail, there is plenty of space to enjoy.

Join artist Laura Hathaway at the Calbourne Water Mill for a free family drop-in inspired by the SHELTERED murals along Appley Beach. Using painting, collage, cutting and sticking, create your own colourful sea creatures.

Air We Breathe is the Earth Museum’s global online learning programme about the past, present, and future of air pollution and clean air. Aimed at 7-14 year old children, pop in and find out more about the programme. How it can support your ambitions to help shape a cleaner, healthier air future for us all.

An exciting and free way to entertain the kids, running the entire week of the Biosphere Festival. Pick up a nature scavenger hunt from Ventnor library. Give kids a chance to explore their environment and discover the wonders of the natural world.

All completed entries handed in by Saturday 4th July will be entered into a prize draw!

Explore and Protect Our Seas: Esprit Freediving Marine Safari.

Their resident marine biologist and award-winning underwater photographer Theo Vickers, will be guiding an underwater tour, helping to discover the marine inhabitants of the Seagrass Meadows at Seaview, Isle of Wight.

This Safari is for PADI certified freedivers only.

Join Tanya Hendy for a deeply nourishing yoga experience on the wild and beautiful shores of Compton Bay, Isle of Wight. Where sweeping cliffs, open skies and the rhythm of the sea create the perfect space to reconnect with our beautiful land and seascape.

Come to Bembridge Harbour and help find tiny plastic pellets that spill from container ships and factories, polluting our seas. If you love seaglass hunting and the beach this family-friendly event is for you.

Planet Aware are a community group based on the Isle of Wight. With a beach cleaning team who are dedicated to reducing plastic pollution on our island's beautiful beaches.