If you’re planning a trip to the island this summer, you’ve picked a good couple of months for it. July and August are when the Isle of Man’s events calendar really gets going, and there’s not much of a gap between one thing finishing and the next starting. Here’s a rundown of what’s on, so you can plan your dates around it rather than turning up and missing something.
July
The Southern Agricultural Show closes out July on 25 and 26 July, with the Hospice Big Bungee Jump running alongside it, and the Gran Fondo gravel and cross-country race also lands that weekend. Yn Chruinnaght, the island’s Celtic gathering, starts 27 July and runs into August.
August
August doesn’t let up. The Manx Heritage Transport Festival runs from late July into the first days of August, which is a treat if you’re into classic vehicles or old railways. The Viking Cup polo takes place 31 July to 2 August, and that same first weekend you’ve also got the Manx Mountain Bike Enduro, the Open Stockcar Championship, and a 6 and 24-hour cycling event all going on at once.
The Royal Manx Agricultural Show is one to plan around, 7 and 8 August, followed almost immediately by the marathon and half marathon on 9 August. If you’re around that evening, the Clifftop Concerts at Groudle Glen Railway are a nice way to end the day.
Then it gets properly busy. The Tour of Mann runs 15 and 16 August, the Kayak Festival is on the same weekend, and from 16 August the Manx Grand Prix takes over until 24 August, with the Classic TT following straight after, right through to 28 August. If road racing is what brought you here, this stretch of August is basically the whole reason to come.
Things wind down a bit toward the end of the month with the Manx International Classic Trial (29 and 30 August) and the Little People’s Picnic at Rushen Abbey, which is about as gentle a note as the summer ends on.
Where to Stay
Given how packed the calendar is, especially around the racing weeks, it’s worth sorting your accommodation early rather than leaving it. Have a look through our Isle of Man accommodation and pick whatever suits the trip you’re planning.
For something with a bit more character, OPUL Boutique at Admiral House is a good shout. If you’d rather keep things simple and comfortable, OPUL Express at Inglewood does the job well, and OPUL House at St Helliers works nicely if there’s a group of you.
Whatever’s drawing you over this summer, get in touch and we’ll help you sort the stay side of things.
