What's On 2020

There’s always good reason to visit the Isles of Scilly, but if you’re seeking inspiration on when to book, here’s our What’s On Guide to 2020.  Scroll down for specific events throughout the year, or browse our Things To Do page for everyday Scilly magic! 

Restorative Wild Yoga, Sunrise Meditation and Dark Skies Walks, Trail Runs, invigorating sea swims and adventure yomps across the boulders all designed to shake off the winter blues and refresh your mind, body and soul.

In June, we welcome back the world’s elite endurance swim-runners for Ötillö Swimrun World Series Qualifier, as well as Scilly’s finest athletes, who compete in teams of two in this amazing 40km Swim-Run race 13^th & 14^th June. Winners qualify for a place in the Championship final in Sweden in September.  The shorter "sprint" race around St. Mary's takes place on Saturday 13^th June, whilst the elite event across St. Mary’s, St. Martin’s, Bryher and Tresco takes on the Sunday.

Then from 15^th – 19^th June, there’ll be a special centenary celebration on St Mary’s to celebrate 100 years of the Isles of Scilly Steamship Company. Expect music and theatre, an exhibition, talks and firework display, all centred around Holgate’s Green. (All details to be confirmed.)

July and August we leave it to you to enjoy – kayaking, sailing, coasteering, sea-swimming, snorkelling, island hopping, fishing or simply soaking up the island hues and vistas, coupled with the island fetes.

2020 Low Tide Events takes place on Friday 21^st August and Sunday 20^th September.  As the channel between Tresco and Bryher becomes dry enough to cross on foot, the flags are hoisted, gin and prosecco bars are assembled, delicious mussels and paella are dished out, and the live music kicks in for this mini pop-up festival.

Then, throughout the entire month of September we welcome the return of Taste of Scilly, a delicious and distinctive celebration of the islands’ fayre, so local you can often point to the fisherman or farmer that’s hooked it or grown it. Tuck into our tasty programme, packed full of Scillonian shellfish, cookery courses, island-hopping supper safaris as well as Taste of Scilly markets, menus and masterclasses; farm tours and tastings.

September 12^th also sees the return of the Scilly 360 Swim Race around St Mary’s (approx 15km). Enter solo or part of a team relay across four stages. Sea swimming at its competitive and adventurous best!

Then in October, we welcome Wild Scilly, (previously Walk Scilly Weekend) which takes place 1st – 5^th October 2020. This is the time of year to enjoy Scilly’s incredible autumnal hues, migrating birds and wildlife, as well as our stunning coastlines and landscapes, fields of budding narcissi and swathes of empty spaces.

And finally, new for 2020 is the inaugural Dark Skies Week 3^rd – 10^th October, centred around our amazing, unpolluted dark skies and the new community observatory on St Martin’s. Join us for some twinkly star-gazing nights, guest speakers, meteor showers and more.

Weekly What’s Ons

There’s a lot going on all season on Scilly – from guided walks, tours and talks, live gigs and visiting theatre, to outdoor cinema, shark fishing (tagging) experiences, fetes, beachcombs, supper boats, rockpool roams, and wildlife boating safaris.  Keep up to date by picking up the weekly What’s Ons (March to October) at our award-winning Tourist Information Centre, and follow us on social media @iosTIC.