From Friday (1st August) through to the grand prizegiving on Friday (8th August), Cowes Week 2025 will bring a full programme of events on and off the water – including themed days, live music, aerial displays and family-friendly entertainment.
For the 2025 edition of Cowes Week, which starts on Saturday 2nd August, there will be plenty of shoreside activities and entertainment
However, before the sailing starts on Saturday, on Friday 1st August Cowes Parade Regatta Village will have its range of food/drink outlets open from 17:00 and there will be entertainment. As the Official Charter Sailing Partner for the 2025 Regatta and as part of this year’s partnership, Sunsail will be sponsoring the Crew Bar in the Parade Regatta Village, providing a vibrant social hub for competitors and visitors. Sunsail will also host an exclusive marquee featuring interactive games and showcasing its extensive range of sailing adventures in over 20 destinations worldwide.
Other venues around the town, including Cowes Yacht Haven and most local pubs will host their usual Cowes Week entertainment.
Some of the town’s venues will host events all week so for daily information, such as performers, check out the websites of Cowes Yacht Haven and Northwood House or the Cowes Week website. Cowes High Street will have its usual entertainment -performers and stalls.
CowesYacht Haven (CYH), one of the sponsors of Cowes Week, will have a main hospitality area, which remains open to all. This will be on the south side of the site, providing easy access to and from Cowes High Street. Inside CYH guests will find the Musto Sailors’ Bar, and a stage that will host the evening musical entertainment. Food will be available each day with a variety of foods/drinks from Island traders. CYH will host some special events too during the week. These include: Saturday- Musto Opening Party (Entry by competitor wristband only); Thursday Mount Gay Apres Sail event from 16:00 until late, plus the Friday End of Week party and regatta prizegiving.
Northwood House and Northwood Park will host Cowes Week events all week including Tree Climbing by Goodleaf. Check the websites for details : The Lawn Bar where you will find Bolney Wines, the official sparkiling wine of Cowes Week, and the Tea Garden will be open all week and other special events include 2nd Aug. Dave Pearce,: 3rd Aug. Afternoon Abba Party with Mumma Mia (16:30) and a Land Rover Rally: 5th Aug. Vintage Afternoon Tea: 6th Aug. Pink Party with Pink Mermaid Gin: 7th Aug. Ladies Lunch and 8th Aug Women in Rock in association with Mermaid Gin.
During the rest of the week…
Saturday 2nd August sees the start of sailing and on shore there is something for everyone. On Cowes Parade don’t forget to support the two official charities: RNLI and AOTW which will be hosting events in their marquees all week. The Classic Boat Museum will be open from 11:00-15:00 as it will on other days of Cowes Week (Check the website) and the Cowes Heritage Centre in Beckford Road will be open from 13:00-16:00 with their Archives- local publications, memorabillia and photographs on display. These displays will be open on other days too. (Check website for details)
Sunday 3rd August is Family Day. As well as the Parade and around the town activities already mentioned there will be the Family Day Activities on the Parade including magic from Huxley. Wight Diamonds Marching Band will play in the garden near St. Mary’s Church at Northwood Park 14:00-15:00. Cowes Classic Boat Museum and the Heritage Centre will again be open at the same time as Saturday. Holy Trinity Church will hold its usual ‘Sailors’ Service’ at 18:15.
Monday 4th August is Charity Day. Visit the official charity stands- RNLI will have numerous activities along The Parade, and see AOTW in their marquee. Holy Trinity Church will be open for refreshments and Arts from 10:00. on Monday and until Friday.
Tuesday 5th August is Women’s Day. This day celebrates the contribution and achievement of women in sailing and recognises some of the major successes of women in the sport.
Wednesday 6th August is Youth Day. Cowes Week focuses on the next generation of sailors.
Thursday 7th August is Royal Navy Day with some special events: The Band of the Royal Marines playing at Northwood House at 15:00 and on the Bandstand, Cowes Parade 18:00 – 18:30, Viewed from the Parade- Aerial Displays, with a Fairey Swordfish Biplane Torpedo Bomber from WWll at 19:00 followed by The Black Cats Helicopter Display Team. (both weather permitting)Then the highlight of the Cowes Week shoreside events for some- The Mount Gay Apres Sail event from 16:00 until late.
Friday 8th August is when Cowes Yacht Haven Events Centre hosts the Cowes Week overall prizegiving starting at 19:30.All competitors are welcome to attend, with prizes for Overall, 2nd and 3rd in each class. This is followed at 22:00 by the Cowes Week Closing Party. (Wristbands only)
In addition to these events most of the yacht clubs will be hosting parties, balls and receptions all week. Check out the club websites for details.
Sponsors of Cowes Week are: Musto, Sunsail,IW Council, Mount Gay Rum, Cowes Yacht Haven, Cowes Harbour Commission and Red Funnel.
Should be a good week, the weather is meant to be a
scorcher.