Festival Information
South East
Overview
Ventnor Fringe is the Isle of Wight’s largest arts festival, transforming the coastal town of Ventnor into a ten-day celebration of music, comedy, cabaret, theatre, circus and spoken word. First held in 2010, the festival now welcomes thousands of visitors each summer.
The Fringe spreads across Ventnor’s streets, parks, hidden spaces and coastline, with performances popping up in secret coves, woodlands, churches, front rooms, tents, pop-up venues and even a 1930s Parisian bus. This playful use of the town’s landscape creates an immersive atmosphere unlike any other UK arts festival.
As a multidisciplinary festival rooted in community spirit, Ventnor Fringe showcases both emerging and established talent while celebrating the Island’s creative identity. With many free events, family-friendly shows and its beautiful natural surroundings, it offers an accessible and distinctive cultural experience on the island’s sunny south coast.
Line-up
View the
official “What’s On” here.
Note: Line-ups can evolve/change closer to the event — check back regularly to stay up to date.
Festival Capacity: ≈ 2,000 – 4,000 per day
Approximate daily attendance including ticketed and free events. The festival reports around 13,000 tickets sold across 10 days, with many additional visitors attending free shows. Actual footfall varies daily depending on programming and weather.
Location
Ventnor Fringe Festival takes place at Ventnor Park, A3055, Ventnor, PO38 1LE, in the seaside town of Ventnor on the Isle of Wight.
Travel Info
For detailed travel guidance, visit the festival’s Travel Page. Ventnor is reachable via ferry routes from Portsmouth, Southampton and Lymington, followed by island bus services.
Festival Venue
Ventnor Fringe takes place across multiple venues throughout the town and surrounding coastline. The “Fringe Village” in Ventnor Park acts as the central festival hub, home to the main Big Top (Arena) and a range of pop-up spaces. Additional venues include churches, heritage buildings, outdoor spaces, unique pop-ups, and unexpected locations such as woodland clearings and secret coves.
All venues are listed on the festival’s Venues Page, including access notes, distances between locations, and guidance on how best to navigate Ventnor’s hilly streets and coastal pathways.
Tickets
Basic Price Range: Free – £30
This price range aims to give a rough idea of the lowest and highest prices typically available. Ventnor Fringe Festival sells tickets per event rather than offering a single festival pass. Always check the official tickets page for current pricing.
Prices vary depending on the type of performance, venue and artist. Many events are free, and others range from low-cost community shows to higher-profile headline acts.
Tickets to Ventnor Fringe Festival can be purchased online, in-person, or by phone. View the festival's official Tickets Page for details. Tickets are per event rather than a single festival pass. All bookings will be available through the festival’s official portal on the What’s On page, where you can browse the full programme once announced.
How Ticketing Works
- No single festival pass – each performance, workshop or event is ticketed separately.
- Free events – many shows, street performances and pop-ups require no ticket.
- Paid events – prices vary depending on the scale and venue.
- Pre-booking recommended – popular events often sell out, especially in intimate venues.
Upgrades and Extras
- Culture Pass – Yearly membership providing access to 2-for-1 tickets at Ventnor Exchange and participating Fringe shows.
- Guarantee Fund – financial donation to the festival to help its continued success and growth.
Important Ticket Information
Only purchase tickets via the festival’s official outlets - online booking portal, in-person at the Ventnor Exchange, or over the phone. All Ventnor Fringe tickets are non-refundable and non-exchangeable from the moment a transaction is completed. The only exception is if a show is cancelled, or if the details of the event change in a substantial way.
Accommodation
Ventnor Fringe Festival is not a camping festival, please make your own accommodation arrangements.
Ventnor and the surrounding area offer a wide range of places to stay, including hotels, guesthouses, B&Bs and self-catering options. Accommodation in Ventnor itself is in high demand during the festival, so early booking is strongly recommended.
If you are staying outside of Ventnor please remember to check transport links.
For a wider search across the Isle of Wight, visit Visit Isle of Wight – Accommodation.
Packing Checklist:
Ensure you're fully prepared for your festival adventure with our Essential Packing Checklist.
Accessibility
Ventnor Fringe Festival aims to make the festival as inclusive and welcoming as possible. Please note that events take place in multiple venues across Ventnor and so access arrangements may vary.
For detailed venue-by-venue accessibility information, including toilet locations, step-free routes, quiet spaces, and reserved seating options, visit the festival’s Accessibility Page.
The Access Team at Ventnor Exchange can help with venue-specific accessibility information, reserving suitable seating, arranging assistance at venues, and issuing complimentary Personal Assistant (PA) tickets where required. They can be contacted by phone on (01983) 716767 or by email at hello@vfringe.co.uk.
