A Guide to What's On

There's always a great reason to visit the Isles of Scilly, especially with our vibrant festival line-up that will add colour and energy to the islands. Start planning your perfect getaway today!

Weekly What’s On

There’s plenty happening across Scilly all season long! Alongside a vibrant festival calendar, enjoy guided walks, tours, live gigs, outdoor cinema, shark tagging experiences, fêtes, rowing races, beachcombing, supper boats, rockpool explorations, and wildlife safaris. Stay updated with the weekly "What’s On" guide (March–October), available at the Tourist Information Centre on Porthcressa Beach, St. Mary's.

Your accommodation provider will also have helpful tips on what to do, see and visit. For even more inspiration, explore Things to Do and uncover the everyday magic of Scilly!

2025 is set to be a bumper year across the islands

We're delighted to announce Walk Scilly (11th - 20th April 2025) will return in all its glory. Covering the five inhabited islands, as well as some of the uninhabited too, the outdoorsy event has a little something for everyone and all abilities. Enjoy 10 days exploring the Isles of Scilly guided by local experts, discovering rich history and archaeology, or take a sea safari to see Scilly’s spectacular wildlife.

Image credit: Explore the islands during Walk Scilly in April

At the end of April, we welcome back the 34th World Pilot Gig Championships (2nd - 4th May 2025) held, as usual, over the first May Spring Bank Holiday weekend. The biggest event never disappoints bringing both spectacle and colour in one fell swoop. The Championships were first held in 1990, only attracting a few crews from Cornwall, but in the intervening years the amount of pilot gigs attending has increased with crews coming from all over the South-West and now the world.

Image credit: World Pilot Gig Championships takes place every first Bank Holiday weekend in May.

In 2025 we also see the return of Creative Scilly (17th - 26th May) with endless days of Scillonian inspired arts and culture. Many of the local artists and creatives will be opening their galleries and studios for a range of workshops together with an ensemble of pop-up theatre, music and poetry.

Image credit: Art classes during Creative Scilly in May. Photo by Tom Young.

Later in the year, we host our second nine-day Ocean Scilly festival (23rd - 31st August). Come celebrate the surrounding seas of the Isles of Scilly, with a focus on water-based activities, marine life, maritime heritage, and everything on, in, and above the water. 

Image credit: St. Martin's Watersports for Ocean Scilly.

Taste of Scilly returns between the 12th and 21st September for ten days of delicious food and drink experiences across the archipelago, with each day offering a unique themed celebration of local produce and island specialties. Expect a taste sensation!

Image credit: Foodie events at Taste of Scilly Festival in September. Photo by Danny North.

Isles of Scilly Cultural Centre & Museum

The much-loved Grade II-listed Town Hall in Hugh Town on St. Mary’s has always been a place for the community to gather and to welcome visitors. Now – led by the Council of the Isles of Scilly and the Isles of Scilly Museum Association – there are plans to rejuvenate that legacy. This will create a warm and welcoming venue in the heart of St. Mary’s, a place for local people and visitors alike to come together. Watch this space!

Through the seasons 

In spring watch out for Restorative Wild Yoga, Sunrise Meditation, walks, Trail Runs, invigorating sea swims and adventure yomps across the boulders are all designed to shake off the winter blues and refresh your mind, body and soul.

In summer, 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.

Throughout autumn, specifically September and October, Scilly becomes a bird watching hotspot! Island hop your way around and venture out to remote uninhabited islands designed to capture nature in action.