Lottery Funding Bringing Summer Carnival Magic To Isle Of Wight

A colourful wave of creativity is heading to the Isle of Wight this summer, thanks to a new community carnival project backed by nearly £20,000 of lottery funding.

New Carnival CIC, the organisation behind the hugely popular Isle of Wight Mardi Gras, has secured £19,514 from The National Lottery Community Fund to launch Carnival Island Connections — a project designed to bring free, inclusive costume-making workshops to towns across the East Wight.

The workshops will take place in Ryde, Newport, East Cowes, St Helens, Shanklin, Sandown, and Ventnor, with local residents invited to create dazzling costumes and props for their own town’s carnival parades.

The summer schedule kicks off in Shanklin on July 29, followed by Newport on July 30 and 31, St Helens on August 19, East Cowes on August 20, Ryde on August 21, and Sandown on August 26.

Details for the Ventnor workshop are to be confirmed.

As part of the initiative, New Carnival will also transport a selection of their spectacular large-scale puppets and costumes to each event — adding an extra splash of visual excitement to Island carnivals and children’s parades.

But the celebrations won’t stop there.

The funding will also support a range of seasonal events, including the Isle of Wight Steam Punk Festival, Bonfire Night celebrations, and Christmas parades in Newport and Ventnor.

New Carnival is already well known for staging some of the Island’s most vibrant cultural events, such as the Isle of Wight Mardi Gras — which involves 25 schools and community groups each year — and the Merry and Bright Festival of Light, supported by Arts Council England.

It also runs the Isle of Creativity youth programme, now in its third year.

Gemma Mallinson, Director of Engagement and Development at New Carnival, said the grant would have a lasting impact:

“This grant means everything. It allows us to bring more people together, reach more communities, and share the joy of carnival creativity in new and meaningful ways. It’s about making the arts accessible, joyful, and community-led.”

“Widening our support for the Island’s rich carnival heritage — which dates back to Queen Victoria — has been on our to-do list for many years. Now we finally can.”

Local carnival organisers have welcomed the project’s arrival with open arms.

Jo Morrison, Chair of Ryde Carnival, said:

“It’s essential that we work together to keep our Isle of Wight carnival heritage alive for future generations. New Carnival’s inclusive workshops can help Ryde Carnival become even more diverse and accessible.”

Teresa Preston, Chair of Ventnor Carnival Association and Federation Treasurer, added:

“We’d love New Carnival to bring their costume workshops and incredible large-scale creations to Ventnor. Their creativity and inclusive approach would be a wonderful addition to our town’s celebrations.”

For more information on Carnival Island Connections, and to view the full workshop flyer, visit New Carnival’s social media pages or their official website.