What is the theme for the 2026 Eastbourne Carnival?
Lights, Camera, Action 🎬
Join us in creating a Carnival full of creativity and celebration!
Get creative with your costumes and floats and celebrate the world of Film, Television, and being a theatre town – Theatre & Musicals too!
This theme gives our entrants the chance to get inspiration from their favourite stage and screen productions.
We welcome musicians, singers, drummers, bands, sound systems, dancers and those that focus on their costume or floats.
We want this Carnival to be full of colour and performance!
Where does Carnival start and what is the route?
Entrants will be given specific times to line up approximately 2 weeks before the Carnival.
The Parade officially begins at 2pm departing from Fishermen’s Green and will end at the Wish Tower Slopes, Western Lawns.
Performances at Eastbourne Carnival
Entrants have the opportunity to do a performance facing towards the VIP Area at The View Hotel.
The performance should not exceed 2 minutes where possible – the performance will be judged by the VIP audience, together with the ‘People’s Choice’ vote which takes place after Carnival.
You can contact us by email if you have any queries about your entry.
I want help with my entry for Eastbourne Carnival
Lightning Fibre’s Eastbourne Carnival Creative workshops –
These will be confirmed by the end of January. Workshops will cover Costume Making, Sewing, Prop Design & Build, and Dance & Performance.
We will also provide outreach workshops for entrants on a request basis directly to the Carnival team.
Contact us by email for more info or other workshop requests info@eastbournecarnival.com
Keep an eye on the News Section of our website or on our social media for updates on these or contact us by email for more information.
There is also a Facebook Group for Entrants.
I want to use a vehicle as part of my entry – what insurances will I need?
All entrants with an accompanying vehicle need motor insurance.
Specific event insurance may need to be arranged for your vehicle, to cover how you intend to use it during the Carnival.
Additionally, Wheel Marshals need to be in situ to prevent any accidents or injuries to participants on foot.
We ask that you have a minimum of two Marshals wearing high viz bibs walking either side of the front wheels of each vehicle.
You can contact us by email if you have any queries about Insurance and Health & Safety for your entry.
Fundraising at Carnival
If you are a Charity, CIC or Community Group – please indicate this on your entry. We may ask further information to substantiate your status. Those eligible will be able to benefit from proceeds raised through bucket collection on the day. The money raised goes to Eastbourne Carnival towards next year’s event, and a portion is shared evenly with Charities and those eligible.
Why Sponsor The CarnivalPromoting your cause at Carnival
Carnival is a celebration, and each entry must contain an element of performance. This can be through music, singing, dancing or costume / float presentation.
Any banners should be to highlight your organisation only i.e. your name, and not a statement of your cause.
NB We discourage flyers and other giveaways that may result in unnecessary waste.
You can contact us by email if you have any queries about your entry.
Register as an entrant.
Environmental guidance for entrants and the public
Entrants
Eastbourne Carnival seeks to be as sustainable as possible.
We work in line with Guidance from Eastbourne Borough Council and ask our entrants to comply with the following:
- Balloons are NOT permitted at Eastbourne Carnival. This is because they cause significant harm to Marine life.
- Single use plastic is prohibited (where relevant) i.e. plastic bags, drinks bottles, plastic cutlery, single use food containers and plastic cups.
- Entrants are discouraged from giving out stickers.
- Entrants are required to take responsibility of their own waste generated by their entry and take back and recycle.
The Public
- Â Balloons are NOT permitted at Eastbourne Carnival. This is because they cause significant harm to Marine life.
- The public are encouraged to bring refillable bottles for water and use the Refill points along the route. Download the Refill App to locate the closest refill points.
- The public are advised to be responsible for their rubbish and ensure they place in appropriate bin or take home.
- Please consider how you get to Carnival – taking public transport, car sharing, walking or cycling as is practical if you can.