Hundreds Attend 2026 Isle of Wight Story Festival At Quay Arts

(c) Bob White

Hundreds of families turned out for this year’s Isle of Wight Story Festival, as celebrated authors, illustrators and TV stars took over Quay Arts in Newport.

Running from February 19 to 21, the 2026 festival filled multiple rooms at the venue with events celebrating storytelling in all its forms.

Among the headline acts was CBeebies star Joseph Elliott, who introduced young audiences to his children’s book Nora and the Map of Mayhem.

The Swashbuckle actor said it was his first visit to the Island since primary school.

After his session, he said:

“I had an absolute blast on stage.

It was such a wonderful audience who were very engaged and interactive. I had a lot of fun.”

The festival was officially opened by award-winning illustrator Rob Biddulph, who took part in a ribbon-cutting ceremony alongside Isle of Wight East MP Joe Robertson.

Speaking before appearing in front of a sell-out crowd, Rob said:

“Stories open up the possibilities for what’s beyond the things you can see, and being on an Island is a little bit like that.

"It feels like you’re at the start of an adventure.”

Rob entertained a packed theatre with tales from his Moonhaven Chronicles series and other well-known works, before spending nearly an hour signing books.

Other highlights included appearances from best-selling author Lucy Strange, theatre companies Coppice Theatre and Foundry Theatre, Young Bond and former Doctor Who writer Steve Cole, and a talk by Philip Reeve, who is marking 25 years of his cult-favourite Mortal Engines series.

Philip also appeared on stage with American-born illustrator and author Sarah McIntyre to discuss their Adventuremice books, in a session introduced by Isle of Wight West MP Richard Quigley.

Alongside the mainland guests, a range of Island performers and creatives took part, including historian Marc Tuckey, Raw Arts Theatre, Sue Bailey, Morgan Outlaw, Shree Dance Academy and Lottie Begg, who helped create the Island’s biggest poem.

One room also hosted the prize ceremony for the Style of Wight Power of the Pen awards, with festival patron Nicholas Allan and Charles Dickens’ relative Ian Dickens presenting prizes.

Organisers have confirmed the Isle of Wight Story Festival will return in 2027, with further details to be announced.