Ventnor Fringe to Return to Isle of Wight With Over 130 Shows
The festival will feature Edinburgh Fringe previews from Ahir Shah and THE GUILTY FEMINIST at Ventnor Botanic Garden.
Ventnor Fringe will return this Summer showcasing award-winning comedy, theatre, music and circus. The event will run Friday 17th - 26th July 2026 at Ventnor Exchange, 11 Church Street, Ventnor, IW, PO38 1SW and various venues.
From secret shows in caves and late night parties on the cliff tops to Edinburgh previews of the best emerging comedians, circus, and immersive theatre, Ventnor Fringe is the Isle of Wight's unique arts festival. Set within a National Landscape and UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Ventnor offers a stunning backdrop for a unique summer escape. Taking place from 17th -26th July 2026, the festival features over 130 shows spanning theatre, comedy, cabaret, circus, music and children's shows. Here's a look at some of the highlights of the festival.
Explore Ventnor's famous Botanic Garden after hours with The Circus Trail as an international cast of acrobats and dancers transform these beautiful tropical gardens into a unique promenade performance. It's the perfect festival adventure for adults and children of all ages, where you'll be guided on a trail through the gardens and discover all sorts of acts along the way!
The new Ventnor Exchange Arena, a striking pink Big Top built especially for the festival in 2025 makes a return with smash hits including POLICE COPS, direct from London's Soho Theatre, vaudevillian duo Norvil and Josephine's magic comedy Rabbits Out of the Hat and chart tipping podcasts like The Guilty Feminist and Drunk Women Solving Crime.
Ventnor is a popular destination with comedians hosting previews. This year those making the ferry crossing include previous Edinburgh Comedy Award winners like Ahir Shah, Joe-Kent Walters as Frankie Monroe and Sam Nicoresti as well as international acts like Felicity Ward and Tom Ballard.
After a busy day watching shows, audiences gather each evening on the clifftops as the sun goes down. The new Club Lunar features a packed line up packed with special guests including international musical collective The Turbans, Cumbia/Tropicana project Malphino, sitar led indo-jazz from Jawari, Latin/reggae from The Soulfire Project and Brooklyn psych group Evolfo. Along with tastemakers like Tina Edwards on the decks and pop-up circus and cabaret performers.
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Count Arthur Strong - And Its Goodnight From Me! Gordon Craig Theatre (6/04-6/04) |
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Bring Your Own Baby Elgar Room, Royal Albert Hall (9/30-9/30) |
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Trainspotting the Musical Hull New Theatre (11/16-11/21) |
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The Little Mermaid Greenwich Theatre (8/07-8/23) |
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Count Arthur Strong - And it''s Goodnight from Me! Scarborough Spa Suncourt (4/18-4/18) |
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English Chamber Orchestra Royal Gala 2026 English Chamber Orchestra Royal Gala 2026 (10/17-10/17) |
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Pinocchio: The Pantomime Whitby Pavilion Theatre (12/04-12/05) |
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Beloved Be The Ones Who Sit Down Upstairs at the Gatehouse (8/21-8/22) |
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Helsinki Leaks ´25: An Inconvenient Peace Upstairs at the Gatehouse (8/19-8/23) |
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Steve Steinman''s BAT - Bat Out of Hell - Live Lounge Premium Package Vaillant Live, Derby (11/04-11/04) |