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The 2026 Cowes Picnic in the Park
7th June
Save the date! The Cowes community is getting back together again for the enormously popular “Picnic in the Park”, thanks to generous funding from Cowes Town Council and various local organisations. So call your friends, plan you picnic and come on down for a fantastic free afternoon of family fun and entertainment within the grounds of Northwood House here in the heart of Cowes!
This will be the eleventh annual Picnic in the Park event and judging by the huge turn out of over 2000 people for last year’s picnic, the event seems to get more popular than ever! So get your picnic baskets ready to go and head on down to Northwood Park to join in the fun from 12pm on Sunday 7th June for some sun (hopefully), fun (always) and great company (guaranteed)!
This a community inclusive event with everyone welcome to attend…not just from Cowes but from all over the Island. And if you’re visiting from the mainland, we’d love to have you join us. In fact the more the merrier!
There will a programme of live music from 12pm to 5.30pm on the Lawn Stage to enjoy, plus a Family Fun Arena with free kids games and entertainment.
The Annual Fun Dog Show will also be back which attracts dozens and dozens of four legged friends and their families along for some canine shenanigans! We also showcase a selection of all of the Islands most deserving charities and good causes who’ll be here in the park raising awareness of what they do and hopefully a few pounds too!
The event is being organised and hosted by Northwood House Charitable Trust on behalf of Cowes Town Council who generously fund most of the event. Other community partners support with funding too including our friends at the Royal Yacht Squadron and Red Funnel Ferries.
Admission is absolutely free with everyone welcome (although a £3 charge for parking on the Ward Avenue field will be levied for those driving to the event).
So just bring a picnic, friends, family and dog too if you’ve got one…and join us for a fantastic afternoon on the lawns in what has become a fantastic annual community celebration. In fact why not bring your whole street along for a safe street-style party in the park?
The Northwood House Lawn Bar and Tea Garden will be open all afternoon plus there will be wood-fired pizza from So Much Dough to enjoy if you don’t want to bring a picnic.
The Cowes Town Mayor will be opening the event at 12pm before an afternoon of musical entertainment commences as follows:
12.10pm: The Wight Diamonds Marching Band
1pm: TBC
2.45pm: TBC
4.00pm: Honkey Tonk Highway (the Island’s favourite Country & Western band)
5.30pm: Stage closes & last orders at the Lawn Bar
In the park there will be a children’s arena with fun, games and simple entertainment, with races, game shows and even some welly boot throwing! There will also be story telling, kids crafts and dance classes…all free to take part in. The event will also have a range of over 25 community and charity exhibition stands to support. It’s all about having some simple fun with family and friends and everyone is welcome!
The Children’s arena programme is now being finalised and will be posted here closer to the event.
The event also sees the return of the popular “Picnic in the Park” Fun Dog Show which usually gets overwhelmed with entries! So get your pet pooch looking it’s best and bring them along too! The Fun Dog show has 9 different classes, with a “Best in Show” to finish. Entries are from 12pm, but classes begin at 2pm. There is a £3 fee to enter each class, but proceeds to go to our nominated local charity which will be announced on the day.
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For the dog show rules, please click here
We look forward to seeing you there for this fantastic community afternoon out!
Thanks to Cowes Town Council, The Royal Yacht Squadron and Red Funnel for their incredibly generous financial support for the event and allowing it to be free for everyone to attend to celebrate this very special national occasion.
If you are an Island based charity or community organisation who would like to attend the event with a free promotional pitch, please email Chris Newnham at Northwood House to find out more at events@northwoodhouse.org
