Isle of Wight Mardi Gras

Pride Festival · July

The Isle of Wight Mardi Gras is the island's annual Pride celebration, held in Ryde with a parade through the town centre followed by live entertainment, stalls and community activities. The event celebrates the island's LGBTQ+ community and has grown from a small gathering into one of the summer's most colourful events.

The parade starts from the Esplanade and winds through the town centre with floats, walking groups, dancers and bands. The main event takes place in a park or seafront area with a stage for live music and performances, food and drink stalls, information stands for LGBTQ+ organisations, and a festival atmosphere. The event is family-friendly and draws support from across the island's community.

Ryde's role as the island's arrival point, with the hovercraft and catamaran terminals on the pier, makes it accessible for visitors from the mainland who want to join the celebration. The event adds to Ryde's growing reputation as the most diverse and culturally active of the island's towns.