It’s Lights, Camera, Action on Eastbourne Seafront for this year’s Carnival!

Eastbourne, get ready for an action packed, fun filled afternoon as the Eastbourne Carnival returns on Saturday 23^rd May at 2pm.

The theme for this year is ‘Lights, Camera, Action’ and over 50 groups will be taking over Eastbourne seafront from Fisherman’s Green to the Wish Tower Slopes – with the parade starting at 2pm.

Some key highlights this year are:

• Our friends from Dortmund Carnival are back for the second year
• Popular groups representing Latin America will be joining us again
• We are delighted that last year’s best Non-Sussex entrant – Bhangra Smash Up – are back
• And another key highlight is the Metronomes Steel Pan Orchestra is back from Notting Hill Carnival

They are parading alongside Eastbourne and Sussex based charities, community groups, schools and businesses – who are all ready to put on a great show for this year’s Carnival.

Carnival Event times

• 11am – Official launch of the Carnival with the Mayor of Eastbourne at Victoria Place
• 12pm – Bhangra Smash Up perform at The GlassHouse, Royal Parade
• 2pm – Main parade sets off from Fisherman’s Green
• 5pm approx. Carnival parade ends (Wish Tower Slopes)
• 4:30pm – 8:30pm – Carnival Street Party at Victoria Place featuring:
  • Bhangra Smash Up
  • Fergus
  • Just Vibez
  • Mr General

Spectators are encouraged to get to the seafront route around 2pm to ensure they do not miss the 50+ entrants as they make their way up the seafront towards The View Hotel.

Emma Pearce, Marketing Manager at Lightning Fibre said “The team of volunteers and organisers work incredibly hard to showcase the best of our town through the Carnival – and it is a wonderful event for our whole community to enjoy.”

“Eastbourne lives on hospitality, and I know we will be giving the entrants from other towns, and even from overseas, the warmest of welcomes! Do join us on the parade route and support this year’s Carnival”

Mina O’Brien, Chair of Eastbourne Carnival CIC said “This year promises to be a great parade full of celebration – showcasing the world of TV, Film and Theatre. We are delighted and thankful to have had the support this year from Lightning Fibre for our Creative Workshops, and Arts Council England.

We are thankful to all our Sponsors, including our Platinum and Gold Sponsors: Eastbourne Sightseeing, The Best of Eastbourne, Seahaven FM, Media Attention, Eastbourne News, The View Hotel, Bourne Free, Custard, Your Eastbourne BID, Mativus, Elite Medical, Eastbourne Theatres, and PMA Scaffolding – and to everyone that has contributed to the event.

We are also grateful to our partners and volunteers who are supporting the event this year. Carnival really is a great example of the community coming together.”

For updates leading up to the Carnival please follow our Facebook, Instagram and TikTok channels.

Don’t forget to bring change to the Carnival or donate on the day via our QR Code – as funds raised go to our participating charity and non-profit entrants and go into the 2027 Carnival.