Fringe Top Tips: All You Need To Know About The Fringe Village

Fringe Top Tips: All You Need To Know About The Fringe Village

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The Fringe Village, what is it? Where is it? How do you get in? Here is everything you need to know about the main hub of Ventnor Fringe.

During the Fringe venues appear right across Ventnor, and pop up performances take place in all sorts of spaces, but knowing exactly where to go can be tricky to decide, so this year we’re launching the Fringe Village as a central hub of action where you can always be guaranteed to find things to do.

The Fringe Village is located in Ventnor Park, about 15 mins walk from the town centre, and is an expanded version of what was tested in 2021. It includes all of the main parts of the park, as well as neighbouring Flowersbrook, the name of a field next to it. In this article we explore more about what you can expect to find in the Fringe Village.

Venues

The Fringe Village is home to several of the festival’s main venues, where ticketed shows from this year’s programme are held. In the main section of the park is The Magpie, a beautiful black and white circus tent which also hosts a wide range of comedy and cabaret performances. Also in this area is The Nest, a smaller venue which hosts some of the best emerging acts in a beautiful Indian tent. On Friday and Saturday nights it also hosts a Silent Disco!

5 minutes walk away in the Flowersbrook field is The Big Top, new for 2022 and the biggest venue at the festival. Here you can see the largest shows and on weekends the seats are removed to host live gigs with amazing bands including The Big Moon, Goat Girl and local heroes like CHAMPS and Plastic Mermaids.

Craft Beer & Cocktails

There’s no chance of going thirsty with three bars in the Fringe Village, serving up the south west’s finest craft beer from Bristol based Wiper & True, a truly independent brewery we’re over the moon to be working with. For gin fans we’re excited to be collaborating once again with the Isle of Wight Distillery, bringing their famous Mermaid Gin and Sea Salt Vodka made right here on the Island.

Parkside Bar is located right in the middle of the park, next to the Bandstand, with the new Big Top Bar located in neighbouring Flowersbrook field.

Cocktail fans meanwhile should head to The Noble Steed, where a dedicated bar team will be mixing up the perfect Espresso Martini, Negroni or Bloody Mary among other favourite tipples.

Street Food

Feeling peckish? The Fringe Village is home to a selection of the Island’s finest street food offerings. From Gastronomy’s Bao Buns, to fusion fries and burgers from Stripped and artisan coffee from Drew’s Brews. Evolving throughout the 10 days of the festival with different traders be sure to visit on multiple days to see what’s on offer!

The Bandstand

Discover free live music every afternoon from midday on the Bandstand, as well as buskers, roaming performances, games and installations around the park. It’s a great space to soak up the atmosphere or have a picnic on a sunny afternoon.

Workshops 

From ukulele to DJ lessons, sewing to drawing, discover different workshops running every afternoon in The Nest. Most are free, with a few up to £5 to take part with sessions aimed at adults and children of all ages.

For the early birds there is also yoga, qigong or meditation sessions running most mornings from 10am. We recommend booking for these in advance as spaces are limited.

Makers Market

On Sunday 24th and Sunday 31st July from 10am-4pm The Big Top will be hosting a new Maker’s Market, bringing together more than 30 artisans and craftspeople under one big roof with live buskers, DJ’s and fresh coffee all on hand. The perfect place to while away a Sunday afternoon whatever the weather!

Information Point / Box Office Tent

In need of some advice or last minute tickets? The Fringe Village has a dedicated Box Office Tent located right next to the main entrance from Park Avenue. Open from 11am – 10pm daily our team of amazing volunteers are on hand to help answer any questions you may have! You can also bag yourself some nifty Fringe merch from here!

Practical Information

Events in the Fringe Village begin at 10am most days, with the Box Office Tent open from 11am and the bars and main venues from midday. The last spaces close at midnight each evening.

It’s completely free to enter the Fringe Village, watch events on the Bandstand, visit the Markets or take part in many of the workshops. Ticketed shows in the main venues can be purchased in advance online or if available on the day from the Box Office Tent.

If you’d like to support the Fringe look out for our contactless donation points where you can use a card to make a £3 donation. Your support is vital in helping make this area possible and keeping it free to enter. This year we are being charged over £7,000 by the Councils for permissions and use of the site, and as with so many things costs like fuel has risen considerably, more than doubling so every little helps!

You can find accessibility information here