Ventnor Fringe Festival, the Island’s multi award winning arts festival is set to return from the 18th – 27th July 2025.
Since its inception in 2010, the Festival has grown to become the Isle of Wight’s largest mixed arts festival, attracting thousands of visitors each year. The festival is inspired by the famous Edinburgh Fringe and a diverse range of performances, including comedy, theatre, music, cabaret, and circus acts. With over 150 different shows taking place in various pop-up venues and bars around the town, there is something for everyone to enjoy.
From cutting-edge cabaret to spectacular circus, events take place in a ‘Festival Village’ in the beautiful Ventnor Park where there are a number of Big Tops and tented venues, but venture beyond this main site and you may discover events in in places such as ancient churches, underground bunkers, locals front rooms and even a 1930s Parisian bus.
Ventnor Fringe features just about every creative discipline you can imagine so don’t just stick to what you know. From Shakespeare to Bingo, there’s something for all.
2 for 1 ticket deals
If you’re planning to see more than 3 or 4 shows at the Festival and you’re the sort of person who plans ahead, it is worth investing in a Ventnor Exchange Culture Pass. These can be purchased for £35 and gets you access to loads of 2for1 ticket deals. Normally over two thirds of all shows at the Festival offer this discount, but numbers are limited so if you’re the sort of person who likes to wait and decide what to see on the day, this might not be as advantageous.
Explore the Free Fringe
Be sure to give yourself plenty of time to explore Ventnor during the Fringe and between ticketed shows. The main social area of the Fringe is in Ventnor Park where there is a street food market, bars, a bandstand with live music everyday and various workshops. There are also loads of buskers, street performers, pop up exhibitions and installations right around the town to discover.
It’s always fun to explore on the day and see what takes your fancy, but if there are a few key shows you definitely want to see it’s worth booking for these in advance as many performances will inevitably sell out in advance. In particular look out for shows in smaller venues like Flowersbrook Inn, Ingrams Yard, Pier Street Playhouse and Ventnor Arts Club.
National Recognition
The Festival has received widespread acclaim for its unique and authentic atmosphere. Publications such as The Independent and The Sunday Times have praised the festival for its bohemian vibe and its ability to surprise and inspire audiences.
If you are visiting the Festival we still have Beach View Apartment and High Street Suites 3 available.
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