*Press release from IOW Biosphere
The Biosphere Festival returns again for 2026! Our local nature and community festival returns from 27th June to 5th July for the third time, after two successful events that have seen more and more people getting involved each year. There are already events planned all over the island: walks, talks, creative workshops, freediving safaris, bike rides, open days and open gardens, storytelling, films, summer fayres, beach cleans, Mardi Gras, morris dancing, workshops and more. All celebrating our UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and many free or low-cost.
But there are still two months for you or your organisation to get involved and run an event! The festival relies on our communities and businesses to join together and run their own amazing Biosphere events. They could be big or small, completely new or something tried and tested, for any audience. The deadline for submissions is the end of April, but if you are considering something please let IW Biosphere know as soon as possible on hello@iwbiosphere.org. Full festival details at iwbiosphere.org/biospherefestival.
Key information:
- Save the date! Biosphere Festival takes place from 27th – 5th July, over 9 days.
- The Festival website is iwbiosphere.org/biospherefestival
- Sign up to our newsletter on the website to be the first to hear about the programme
- Last year we had over 60 events across the island.
- Still time to plan an event of any size, get in touch with us at hello@iwbiosphere.org.
- Deadline for programme submissions is the end of April
What sort of events are we looking for? Celebrations of the Isle of Wight’s unique environment and combination of people, place and nature. We hope to feature activities that connect people with the Island’s landscapes, wildlife and heritage, such as guided walks, marine exploration, creative nature‑inspired arts, and hands‑on community projects. Events that promote sustainable living, from local food initiatives to repair workshops and climate‑positive activities are encouraged, as are those that bring communities together to share skills, stories and local pride.
We’re also looking for events that shine a light on research and innovation, highlighting the environmental, ecological, and climate‑related work taking place across the Island, showcasing research findings, citizen science sessions, or demonstrations of new approaches to supporting nature recovery. We’re also keen for more local businesses to get involved, why not run a Biosphere related promotion? Create a window display? Whatever works for you!
You can also use the nine Biosphere Principles for inspiration, found at iwbiosphere.org. Let’s make Biosphere Festival 2025 even bigger and better together. To find out more about how you can be involved, or to sign up to the newsletter to be the first to hear about the programme, go to www.iwbiosphere.org/biospherefestival.
The Festival and IW Biosphere are hugely grateful for all the community support and love for our island nature that allows this festival to happen. Our Biosphere Reserve status is a prestigious UNESCO designation, like World Heritage status, that recognises our unique combination of people, wildlife and landscape. It celebrates all our local efforts, individual and organisational, to live sustainably within our remarkable environment and to protect, conserve and enhance it for future generations.
We are also looking for festival sponsors, please get in touch if you can help hello@iwbiosphere.org.
Biosphere poetry competition
For the second year, Naked Figleaf Press is running a writing competition in conjunction with Biosphere Festival 2026. The closing date is 31 May, full details at https://www.nakedfigleafpress.com/biosphere-poetry-2026.