The 2025 Cowes Picnic in the Park

1st 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.

This will be the tenth annual Picnic in the Park event and judging by the huge turn out of over 3500 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 1st June, the first official weekend of British summertime!

The event is being organised and hosted by Northwood House Charitable Trust on behalf of Cowes Town Council and other community partners who are contributing funds to pay for the event including some of the towns sailing and yacht clubs.

Admission is 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 and family (even your dog!) and join us for a fantastic afternoon on the lawns…in what has become a fantastic annual community celebration. Why not bring your whole street along for a safe street-style party in the park?

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: The JC Fun Band

2.45pm: That’s Life  Duo

4.00pm: Honkey Tonk Highway (the Island’s newest 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 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

The Northwood House Tea Garden will be open for cream teas, along with a bbq, with the popular Lawn Bar being open from 11.30am until 6pm for Pimm’s on the lawn and refreshments. There will also be delicious hot food available next to the Lawn Bar provided by The Garden from Cowes.

We look forward to seeing you there!

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 at events@northwoodhouse.org