Cowes Town Council

02/11/2026

🎄✨ COWES AT CHRISTMAS 2026 ✨🎄

The festive season begins with the Cowes Christmas Lights Switch-On on Saturday 28th November at 4pm.

Join us around the Christmas tree outside The Painters Arms with Isle Of Voices and festive cheer as we officially kick-start Christmas in Cowes.

Then, on Saturday 5th December (12 noon - 5pm), the town comes alive for the
Cowes Dickensian Christmas.

🎶 Live entertainment across the town
📖 FREE Christmas booklet
🎁 Spot the Window competion and a Treasure Hunt by Alzheimer Cafe Isle of Wight and prizes to be won.
🚶 Lantern Procession and Best Dressed competition
📸 Christmas Photo Sledge at Cowes Yacht Haven
🎅 Father Christmas and Grotto , Pontoon View Bar
🎄 Christmas Markets & Craft Fayre Commodores House and Cowes Yacht Haven and The Anchor.
🚗 FREE parking in Cowes's car parks

Whether you're a resident, business, community group or visitor, come along and help make this the biggest community Christmas celebration yet!

📅 Christmas Lights Switch-On: Saturday 28 November, 4pm
📅 Cowes Dickensian Christmas: Saturday 5 December, 12 noon - 5pm
📍 Cowes Town Centre

❤️ Support local businesses, join in the fun and celebrate Christmas in Cowes.

🎄✨

02/11/2026

In recognition of the dedication and sacrifice made by our UK Armed Forces, we are proud to offer past and present serving UK military personnel free foot passenger ferry travel on Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th November in support of Remembrance Sunday, and Wednesday 11th November for Remembrance Day.🚢
The special offer is available for travel in either direction on both our Red Jet and vehicle ferry services, exclusively for serving and veteran UK Armed Forces.
🎟 This offer can only be claimed in person at our ticket offices by presenting either a MOD Form 90 ID card, (including expired cards for veterans), or UK Armed Forces Veteran ID Card.
Veterans without an ID card can also show their Veterans Rail Card or a Defence Discount Card.
From all of us at Red Funnel Isle of Wight Ferry thank you to all those who have served our nation. We are deeply grateful for your commitment, service and sacrifice.🪖
More info: https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0zy6X90

In recognition of the dedication and sacrifice made by our UK Armed Forces, we are proud to offer past and present serving UK military personnel free foot passenger ferry travel on Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th November in support of Remembrance Sunday, and Wednesday 11th November for Remembrance Day.🚢

The special offer is available for travel in either direction on both our Red Jet and vehicle ferry services, exclusively for serving and veteran UK Armed Forces.

🎟 This offer can only be claimed in person at our ticket offices by presenting either a MOD Form 90 ID card, (including expired cards for veterans), or UK Armed Forces Veteran ID Card.

Veterans without an ID card can also show their Veterans Rail Card or a Defence Discount Card.

From all of us at Red Funnel, thank you to all those who have served our nation. We are deeply grateful for your commitment, service and sacrifice.🪖

More info: https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0zy6X90

02/11/2026

A large area of high pressure is sitting over the UK, bringing mainly northeasterly winds, occasional areas of cloud and a few showers over the next couple of days. 🌤️🌦️

The satellite/radar view shows some cloud and a few showers to the east of us, and these will slowly begin to move our way over the coming days.

The airmass map shows thew temperature a few thousand feet up, allowing us to see what type of airmass we have (cold/warm etc).

30/10/2026

HALLOWEEN FORECAST 🎃👻

The weather’s behaving itself for Halloween, with lovely dry, clear conditions for all the spooky festivities! 🦇✨

30/10/2026

Don't forget that tomorrow at Cowes Library is a special Halloween LEGO Club, can you build something that might scare Adam or Sallie? come along and have a go.

Please be aware that there are currently no toilet facilities available in the library.

30/10/2026

🎄👀 How many green hats can you spot? 👀🎄

Something Christmassy is coming to the Isle of Wight… and we've got a little sneak preview for you! 🎅. We've gathered a few familiar faces from around the Island to help us get ready for this year's 12 Days of Christmas campaign - and there's a little challenge hidden in this short video!

💚🎩 Watch closely… how many green hats can you spot? Pop your answer in the comments below. You might need to watch it more than once! 😉

Want to find out more and discover how you can get involved? Click the link below to visit our website.

💚 Every donation makes a difference to local people facing hardship this Christmas, help to give them a little extra and help spread some joy.

👉 https://isleofwight.foodbank.org.uk/support-us/12-days-of-christmas-2026



Theatretrain Isle of Wight fans

29/10/2026

Great news for sustainability on the Isle of Wight 🌱

The Green Impact programme is set to continue for another year, thanks to the incredible support of local businesses and headline sponsor Veolia.

The refreshed Green Impact Toolkit launches on 28 October, featuring exciting new updates, including integration with the Isle of Wight's Local Nature Recovery Strategy.

A Green Impact Relaunch Networking Event has also been arranged to help businesses find out more about the updated toolkit and ask any questions:

📍 Building 41, Cowes
🗓️ 13 November
⏰ 3pm - 4.30pm

Learn about nature recovery on the Island at the event, network with other organisations, and discover how your workplace can make a real difference.

Last year alone: ✅ 59 organisations took part ✅ 2,042 sustainability actions were completed

A huge thank you to all our sponsors for helping businesses take practical action for a greener future 🌍

Register here: https://ow.ly/gy1A5101mpE

Read more about Green Impact here:

https://ow.ly/ffqk5101mpC

Great news for sustainability on the Isle of Wight 🌱

The Green Impact programme is set to continue for another year, thanks to the incredible support of local businesses and headline sponsor Veolia.

The refreshed Green Impact Toolkit launches on 28 October, featuring exciting new updates, including integration with the Isle of Wight's Local Nature Recovery Strategy.

A Green Impact Relaunch Networking Event has also been arranged to help businesses find out more about the updated toolkit and ask any questions:

📍 Building 41, Cowes
🗓️ 13 November
⏰ 3pm - 4.30pm

Learn about nature recovery on the Island at the event, network with other organisations, and discover how your workplace can make a real difference.

Last year alone: ✅ 59 organisations took part ✅ 2,042 sustainability actions were completed

A huge thank you to all our sponsors for helping businesses take practical action for a greener future 🌍

Register here: https://ow.ly/gy1A5101mpE

Read more about Green Impact here: https://ow.ly/ffqk5101mpC

29/10/2026

🎄✨ IT’S ALMOST TIME! CHRISTMAS LIGHTS TOUR TICKETS GO ON SALE 1ST NOVEMBER! 🎅🚌

The countdown to Christmas is officially on, and we’re bringing back a little festive magic! ✨

Southern Vectis - the island's buses much loved Christmas Lights Tour returns this December, with Santa’s Elves behind the wheel, Christmas tunes playing and some of the Island’s most spectacular festive light displays to enjoy from our open top bus! 🎶🎄

📅 Tickets go on sale Sunday 1st November!

🚌 Tours run from 7th–24th December
🎅 Special Christmas Eve tour returns!
☕ Festive refreshment stop at Wildheart Animal Sanctuary
🐾 Four-legged friends welcome too!

Our Christmas Lights Tours are always popular and seats are limited, so set those reminders and be ready to book!

🎟️ Find out more and get ready to book here: https://www.islandbuses.info/xmas-lights-26

Who’s joining us for a little Christmas magic this year? ✨🎄

29/10/2026

Brightening up today, then generally fine with sunny spells tomorrow ☀️🌤️😎

A lot of cloud currently showing on the satellite view but this will gradually break up as the day goes on. We can even see the odd localised shower on the radar image too.

29/10/2026

There are still funded recruitment opportunities to support young people for Isle of Wight employers 📢

The government's Youth Guarantee is still available on the Island, ensuring 16 to 24-year-olds can access education, training, employment or support to help them succeed.

The programme is backed by £2.5 billion and aims to support one million young people, creating up to 500,000 jobs, training and learning opportunities across the UK.

What's available now?
✅ Fully funded apprenticeships for eligible young people with non-levy paying employers from the next academic year.
✅ A £3,000 grant payment through the Youth Jobs Grant when recruiting an eligible 18 to 24-year-old who has been claiming Universal Credit for six months.
✅ Employer National Insurance relief for employees under 21 and apprentices under 25 earning less than £50,270 per year.

➡️ Financial incentives go live in November. Register your interest here: https://ow.ly/HGpu5100YL8

Also available shortly:
✅ Apprenticeship grant worth up to £2,000, plus additional support for eligible younger apprentices, those with an EHCP, and care-experienced young people.
✅ Funding for six-month paid jobs of up to 25 hours per week at National Minimum Wage for eligible young people who have been claiming Universal Credit and actively seeking work for 18 months or more.