Local events in and around Hampshire

The Isle of Wight Festival is the South Coast’s biggest musical festival. Located near Newport on the Isle of Wight the festival is a weekend full of great music, bars and food. Read our blog on Isle of Wight festivals.

Five ICC Cricket World Cup fixtures will be played in Hampshire including: South Africa v India, South Africa v West Indies, England v West Indies, India v Afghanistan and Bangladesh v Afghanistan.

The annual Round the Island Race is a one-day yacht race around the Isle of Wight. The race attracts over 1,700 boats and around 16,000 sailors making it one of the largest yacht races in the world.

The Festival of Speed is the largest motoring garden party in the world – a unique summer weekend that brings together an impossibly heady mix of cars, stars and motor sport 'royalty' to create the largest car culture event in the world. Held in the immaculate grounds of Goodwood House, this annual Hillclimb event is a true celebration of motor sport and all things automotive. 

Set in Lulworth Estate, Dorset Bestival is another major South Coast music festival. Bestival is a unique experience with boutique campsites, a Bollywood Cocktail Bar, Wishing Tree Stage and even a yearly theme.

This three day agricultural Show showcases the best the New Forest and Hampshire has to offer and provides three days packed with agricultural fun and entertainment for all the family. With more than 600 trade stands, live cooking demonstrations from top local chefs, livestock classes and an exciting timetable of main ring attractions including the Metropolitan Mounted Police and International Show Jumping, there really is something for everyone to enjoy.

This year the Qatar Goodwood Festival will welcome the world’s very best horses and jockeys to this annual showpiece event where style and glamour take centre stage. Savour the thrill of prestigious races such as the Qatar Sussex Stakes, dress to impress at Ladies’ Day, and enjoy a chilled glass of Champagne or Pimm’s together with some of the finest cuisine available in the wide range of restaurants – it’s all part of the unique Qatar Goodwood Festival experience. 

Round seven of the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship series is being held at Thruxton Motorsport Centre in Andover. A number of races take part including qualifying and final rounds.

Cowes Week offers a great mix of competitive sailing and social activities. The 8,500 competitors range from Olympic and world class professionals to weekend sailors. In excess of 100,000 spectators come to watch the sailing, enjoy the parties and live entertainment, and to experience the unique atmosphere. It is genuinely a one-of-a-kind event. 

The Goodwood Revival really is a magical step back in time, a unique chance to revel in the glamour and allure of motor racing in the romantic time capsule of the world’s most authentic motor circuit. The Revival is the world’s most popular historic motor race meeting and the only event of its kind to be staged entirely in the nostalgic time capsule of the 1940s, 50s and 60s. 

Visit Europe’s premier on-water boat show where visitors are free to enjoy a wide range of features and activities, including show favourites, Try-A-Dive and Try-A-Boat. 

A visit to the world-famous attractions of Portsmouth Historic Dockyard is made even more memorable when you visit during A Victorian Festival of Christmas and is the perfect way to begin your seasonal preparations and celebrations! A host of traditional and deliciously saucy characters will provide fun and entertainment at every turn with Fagin’s Tavern and its unique blend of Music Hall style entertainment, Christmas markets, Reindeer and a traditional Father Christmas (dressed in green). 

The Winchester Cathedral Christmas Market is recognised as one of the best in Europe. Inspired by traditional German Christmas markets you can find wonderful Christmas gifts, decorations and festive foods along with a great atmosphere and an open-air real ice rink.

Visit Christmas at Paultons for a magical family experience. Enjoy your favourite rides, take a look at the musical Christmas tree and watch magical performances. Children will also get to meet Father Christmas and receive an exciting present.

Join in the festivities at Marwell Zoo where as well as visiting the zoo you can celebrate with a few special friends. Be enchanted by Mrs Claus whilst she reads a tale, meet reindeer and elves and even meet Santa himself in his sparkling grotto and receive a special gift.

The Ageas Bowl, the home of Hampshire Cricket, will host England v Pakistan Royal London ODI.

Rounds 7, 8 and 9 of the Dunlop British Touring Car Championship take place at Thruxton Motorsport Centre in Andover. Thruxton has the highest average speed of any circuit visited by the BTCC and provides some of the biggest thrills and spills in motor sport.