List of festivals in the Isle of Man

This is a list of regular festivals and events in the Isle of Man, both traditional and recently established.

Traditional annual events
See also: List of Celtic festivals

The Isle of Man is a Celtic nation, and as such there are close correspondences to Irish and Scottish festivals.

EventManx Gaelic nameDateNotes
Beltane (May Day)Boaldyn1 MayTraditional Celtic celebration of the return of summer
Tynwald DayLaa Tinvaal5 July
(usually)		Annual open-air promulgation of the laws
MhelliahSept–OctHarvest festival[1]
SamhainSauin31 Oct–
1 Nov		Traditional Celtic celebration of the beginning of winter
Oie Houney = "Night of Sauin"
HalloweenHop-tu-NaaMore recent celebration of Halloween/Sauin
Hunt the WrenShelg y Drean26 DecSt. Stephen's Day

Modern sports events
EventNotes
Motor cycling and motor racing
Tourist Trophy (TT)Most famous and important event on the island
International VMCC TT RallyHeld during TT Week. It is a motorcycle event that lasts six days and is organised to take place on non-race days.
Douglas Beach RaceThis motorcycle race is held on Douglas Foreshore during TT week. The bikes race over huge man-made sandcastles.
Ramsey SprintThe Ramsey Sprint has been run since 1978 and is one of the biggest events outside the T.T. races.
Formula 2 Stockcar Manx Open F2 TTThe stockcar racing is a contact motorsport where the more experienced drivers start at the rear of each race. They have a set number of laps to make their way to the front, using their bumper to push their opponents aside.
The Manx Two Day TrialThe Manx National Two Day Trial is for solo and sidecar competitions. The event covers all areas of the Island over two days. The event caters for modern and older machinery. One of the biggest and best Trials in Europe with two full days of Off Road endeavour.
The VMCC Manx RallyA week of events for vintage motorcycle enthusiasts, centred on the Manx GP Week.
Coastal events
Round the Island Yacht RaceHeld on 4 May 2008. A large event that is held every year. They race anti-clockwise around the island. Although this is a competitive sport there is also a full social programme. The participants compete for a chance to win a trophy but also to be awarded PY handicap points.
Ramsey Angling FestivalIncludes a series of beach fishing competitions held over the weekend. Held annually.
Mannin Angling Club FestivalThe event consists of two shore and five boat fishing competitions. Boat competitions are classed in two categories: private and charter.
Other sport events
Crown Green Bowls FestivalsDuring the events calendar there are two bowls competitions: the June Festival and the September Festival.
Parish WalkLong-distance walking event visiting all 17 historic parishes of the island
Isle of Man Dance Festival
Manx Mountain MarathonA 31-mile fell race from Ramsey to Port Erin. The course is mostly on fells and country and visits all the major hill summits. The race is one of athletics ultimate challenges covering difficult, rugged terrain as it visits the Isle of Man's major peaks.
Isle of Man Easter AthleticsA three-day festival of athletics held at various places on the island over the Easter weekend. The event attracts adult competitors of all abilities from clubs and heavily from universities throughout the UK. A 10k road race is held on Good Friday, Peel Hill Race on Easter Saturday and a 4 × 5k road relay on Douglas Promenade on Easter Sunday. The event culminates with the prize presentation and a party on Easter Sunday Evening.
IOM Sports Club ChallengeA series of sporting events aimed at club members, not elite players. The S.C.C.S now incorporates the student weekend and up to two other events (netball + squash). The number of sports may expand in the future.
Isle of Man Marathon and half Marathon RacesThe full marathon and half marathon road races - on a quiet, scenic and rural course - starting and finishing in Ramsey.
NBC Basketball CampA week-long event providing basketball and life skills coaching for ages 10 to 19.

Other events
EventNotes
Isle of Man Queenie FestivalA celebration of the sea. Usually held over 3 days in Port Erin and Port St Mary.
Spring Darts FestivalThe Isle of Man's International Darts Festival is held annually. More than 800 competitors took part in last year's event.
Manx Model MeetGathering of model aircraft flyers for a club event on Jurby airfield.
Isle of Man Bridge CongressA duplicate bridge competition which forms part of the English Bridge Union's calendar of events.
IOM Chess TournamentAn international chess event attracting top chess players from all over the world. Held annually in Port Erin from 1992 to 2007. It resumed in 2014 and since then has been held annually in Douglas.
Isle of Man Festival of Pool - British OpenWould see pool players of all ages, male or female and from all parts of the UK and Ireland as well as players from France, Spain and other European countries attending the festival.
Manx Model Boat Festival
IOM International Jazz Festival
Mananan International FestivalsAn annual festival of music and arts founded in 1975, held in the Erin Arts Centre. The main festival is held in June and the opera festival in September.[2]
Braaid EisteddfodAn annual musical and literary festival that has been held at the Braaid since the 1950s.[3][4]

References
  1. "Dhoon School's traditional Manx Mhelliah". gov.im. 28 October 2015. Retrieved 21 February 2019.
  2. "Mananan International Festivals". Erin Arts Centre. Retrieved 26 October 2020.
  3. "Music, singing, poetry and dancing at the Braaid Eisteddfod". IOM Today (2 March 2019).
  4. "Florence Kinvig". Culture Vannin. Retrieved 26 October 2020.
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