Ventnor Fringe Festival 2025: 10 Days of Island Magic, Music & Mayhem
Dates: 18–27 July 2025 | Location: Ventnor, Isle of Wight
Every July, the sleepy seaside town of Ventnor gets hit with a glitter bomb of creativity, turning its winding streets, secret gardens, and pop-up stages into a bohemian arts carnival like no other. This year, Ventnor Fringe Festival celebrates its 15th birthday – and it’s going BIG, with 150+ performances, wild venues (yes, including a Parisian bus), and that unfiltered Fringe spirit that’s part beach party, part cultural revolution.
Whether you're a culture connoisseur or a curious wanderer, Ventnor Fringe 2025 has something waiting around every cobbled corner. From world-class comedy and high-flying circus to jazz in the park and ghost stories at sunset, this guide gives you everything you need – who’s performing, when, and where to be – so you can plan the wildest week of your summer.
🎵 Music Highlights: One Stage, Nine Wild Nights
The Fringe Club at The Rotunda in Ventnor Park is where the magic happens after dark. Every night brings a different genre and a whole new vibe – from surf-rock to soul to global psychedelia.
- Fri 18 July – Reggae & Ska Night (8:30pm)
Kick things off island-style with The Ohmz and The Bohemians, two bands that know how to throw a ska-fueled beach party. Live horns, 2-Tone classics, and infectious rhythm will get you dancing barefoot on the grass. - Sat 19 July – Coach Party (Indie Rock) (8:30pm)
Raw, raucous, and local – Coach Party headlines with grungy anthems and unfiltered energy. Think Nirvana meets Wolf Alice, with Brighton’s Highdrive warming things up. - Sun 20 July – Cat Skellington (Jazz Swing) (8:30pm)
Slip into something vintage and sip a cocktail while Cat Skellington whisks you back to the jazz age. Clarinet, acoustic swing, and witty charm make this one silky-smooth night. - Mon 21 July – No Show, Just Vibes
The main stage takes a breather, but the town doesn’t. Catch surprise buskers, secret sets, and late-night jams popping up across Ventnor. - Tue 22 July – Kindred Found (Blues/Rock) (8:30pm)
Slide guitars, smoky vocals, and unapologetic attitude – Kindred Found brings swampy blues-rock heat. Grab a drink and get ready to stomp your boots under the stars. - Wed 23 July – YUUF (Global Psychedelia) (8:30pm)
YUUF is pure sonic adventure: Afrobeat meets ambient soundscapes, laced with global rhythm. It's the soundtrack to a sunset trip you didn’t know you needed. - Thu 24 July – Doug Alldred & The Silver Lining (8:30pm)
Heartfelt songwriting and foot-stomping grooves come together with Doug Alldred’s genre-blending magic. If you’re into Bowie, Springsteen, or Petty, this night’s for you. - Fri 25 July – Caleb Kunle (Soul/Funk) (8:30pm)
Soul-soaked vocals and Afrobeat joy – Caleb Kunle brings spiritual grooves and festival euphoria. He’s played Glasto and The Barbican – now he’s here to blow Ventnor away. - Sat 26 July – Majak Door (Surf/Indie) (8:30pm)
Straight outta Melbourne, Majak Door delivers dreamy surf-rock vibes with a psychedelic twist. Imagine California in the ‘70s, washed ashore in the Isle of Wight. - Sun 27 July – Closing Party ft. Aaron Fletcher (8:30pm)
Co-founder of The Bees, Aaron Fletcher closes the Fringe with a DJ set soaked in funk, soul, and cosmic disco. It’s the grand finale – one last dance under the Ventnor moon.
🎭 Theatre, Circus & Cabaret: Welcome to the Weird Side
Ventnor Fringe doesn’t do boring. It’s immersive, explosive, emotional, and often downright bizarre – in the best way.
- ARCADE – Darkfield
Step into a pitch-black shipping container and into a choose-your-own-adventure nightmare. With 360° audio and spooky effects, it’s like being trapped inside a video game – if that game was built by David Lynch. - It’s Your Role
Ever wanted to star in a live Dungeons & Dragons quest? Now’s your chance – improv actors guide you through dragons, dungeons, and wild plot twists based on YOUR choices. - Murder, She Didn’t Write
A murder mystery where the script is made up on the spot – and you get to pick the killer. Hilarious, chaotic, and loaded with improv gold. - Receptionists
A wordless comedy about two desk clerks going totally bonkers – think Mr. Bean on espresso. Finnish clowning at its finest. - RPM – Gorilla Circus
Acrobatics. Street dance. Roller skates. And a giant moving treadmill. This high-octane spectacle is a jaw-dropping visual thrill ride. - Sunny Side
Contemporary dance with real heart, Sunny Side dives into the lives of modern men with raw honesty and gorgeous choreography. A thoughtful punch in the feels. - Mrs Armitage on Wheels
Bring the kids! This outdoor, high-energy show turns Quentin Blake’s beloved book into interactive theatre on two wheels. - Ubu: King of the Isle of Wight – Sun 20 July, 9:30pm
Shakespeare meets island politics in this hilariously unhinged adaptation of Ubu Roi. It’s part parody, part punk rock chaos. - Vicious Vectis – Thu 24 & Fri 25 July, 3:30pm
History has never been this wild. Local youth bring Isle of Wight’s past to life with rap battles, bad wigs, and ridiculous characters. - The Island’s Ghost Ship
As twilight falls, follow ghosts through Ventnor Botanic Garden in this haunting promenade performance. Eerie, enchanting, and absolutely unforgettable. - Cabaret & Oddities
From the glitter-drenched Le Gateau Chocolat to folklore-infused Wyrd Wight and experimental works by Stonecrabs Theatre, the Fringe thrives on the unexpected. Dive into late-night cabaret chaos at the Bosco Theatre, the brand-new pop-up venue made for mischief.
🤣 Comedy: Laugh Till You Drop (Your Ice Cream)
This year’s comedy line-up is stacked with stars, rising legends, and unfiltered weirdos.
- Simon Brodkin – Screwed Up
The man who once handed Theresa May a P45 now tears into politics and personal failings with razor-sharp wit. - Ahir Shah – Work In Progress
Smart, soulful and scathingly funny – the Netflix star builds his next hour in Ventnor. (Catch him early; he sells out fast.) - Josie Long – Work In Progress
Whimsical, wise, and totally hilarious, Josie explores the sweetness of life’s small moments with big laughs. - Geoff Norcott – Basic Bloke 2
A right-leaning comic who roasts everyone across the aisle. Expect spicy takes, dad jokes, and deep-down honesty. - Janine Harouni – Work In Progress
From Live at the Apollo to new-mum chaos, Janine’s blend of New Yorker sass and British dryness is on point. - Jessica Fostekew – New Material
Fierce, feminist and funny-as-hell. She’ll be testing new stuff – and it’s bound to be gold. - Drunk Women Solving Crime – Live Podcast
Prosecco, improv, and true crime? This riotous podcast is Fringe legend. - Pick of the Fringe – Wed 23 – Sat 26 July, 9:40pm
Hosted by Ahir Shah, this mixed-bill night is a comedy sampler platter. Every night = new lineup = guaranteed laughs. - Quivers Comedy Club + Jack’s Comedy Club
The island’s homegrown funnies bring pub-style silliness, improv, and surprise guests. No two nights are ever the same.
👨👩👧👦 Family Fringe & Workshops: Artsy Fun for All Ages
Fringe isn’t just for grownups – the Family Fringe turns Ventnor Park’s Putting Green into a creative playground on 18–20 and 25–27 July (10am–3pm).
Kids can get messy with crafts, build carnival masks, and play their way through puppet-making, music jams, dance-offs and storytelling. Parents can chill nearby with a coffee (or a cheeky Pimms), knowing the little ones are deep in the magic.
🌮 Food That Deserves Its Own Show
From lobster rolls to Tibetan dumplings, Ventnor Fringe’s food truck scene is drool-worthy. Most of the action happens in Fringe Village, where you’ll find wood-fired pizza from Hungry Raccoon, piled-high fries from Harbour Kitchen, sizzling BBQ from Up in Smoke, and the now-legendary momos from Tibetan Memories. Got a sweet tooth? Vintage Scoops has you covered with artisan ice cream served from a 1970s van. Grab a bite, sip a cider, and make friends at the picnic tables.
🎟️ Tickets, Tips & How to Fringe Like a Pro
🎫 Book online: vfringe.co.uk
🎟️ Tickets from £5–£20, or FREE if you go full wanderer mode
🎟️ Culture Pass (£35) = sweet 2-for-1 deals
👟 Most venues are walkable – wear comfy shoes
🍷 Grab drinks from the bar and enjoy them anywhere in the park
🎉 Free Fringe: The Joy of the Unexpected
There’s so much going on for zero pounds:
- Bandstand Gigs – Chill all day with free music in Ventnor Park
- Street Acts – From fire-jugglers to living statues, anything can happen
- Walk of the Dandelion – An 8-foot puppet leads you through town (yes, really)
- PROTOCOLE Circus Ritual – Daily free circus shows with flags and flips
- Art Installations – From galleries to alleys, creativity’s everywhere
- Pop-up DJ Nights – After the main gigs, the party keeps going
🌊 Your Fringe Farewell Moment
Whether you're in it for the soul, the ska, or the secret shows in church basements, Ventnor Fringe 2025 is a love letter to creativity. Come for a day or dive in for the whole 10-day trip – just don’t come expecting ordinary.
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