Sunday 30 & Monday 31 August 2026 | Steyne Gardens & Worthing Seafront
Worthing is getting ready for one of the biggest weekends in the town’s summer calendar as Worthing Rotary Carnival returns on Sunday 30 and Monday 31 August 2026.
Free to attend and bringing together community groups, performers, charities, businesses, sports clubs, entertainers and thousands of visitors, Worthing Rotary Carnival is about much more than a parade.
It is a celebration of Worthing and the people, organisations and businesses that make the town such a vibrant place to live, work and visit.
Following the continued growth of the event, organisers are expecting tens of thousands of visitors across the Bank Holiday weekend.
And this year, there is more to discover than ever before.
More than JUST a parade
Worthing Rotary Carnival has been part of the town’s identity for more than 100 years.
While the Monday parade remains the centrepiece, the Carnival has developed into a full weekend of entertainment and community activity, with Steyne Gardens and the Worthing seafront providing the main Carnival areas.
Across the weekend, visitors will find live entertainment, music, food and drink, market traders, community organisations, children’s activities, rides and attractions, charity organisations and, of course, the spectacular Monday parade.
The event also provides an opportunity for local organisations to showcase what they do and connect with thousands of people.
“Worthing Rotary Carnival is about much more than a parade. It is a celebration of Worthing, bringing together residents, visitors, local businesses, community groups, performers, charities and volunteers for a free event that has been part of the town’s identity for more than 100 years.
The Carnival has grown considerably over the last couple of years, and following the success of 2025 we are expecting tens of thousands of people to visit across the Bank Holiday weekend. For us, that growth is particularly important because it creates a platform for local community groups and charities while also bringing a significant number of people into the town and seafront area.
We regularly hear from local businesses about how busy Carnival weekend is for them, with some telling us that it is one of, if not the, busiest trading days of their year. The increased footfall benefits far more than just the Carnival’s own traders. People visit cafés, restaurants, pubs, shops and other businesses throughout the town.
Perhaps most importantly, Carnival provides an opportunity for local groups to showcase what they do. Many of the organisations taking part are run by volunteers themselves, whether they are sports clubs, dance groups, charities, community organisations or performers. It gives them a chance to engage with thousands of people and encourages people to discover and support the organisations that make Worthing such a strong community.”
The Seafront becomes a Carnival destination
The Carnival isn’t confined to Steyne Gardens.
This year, the seafront itself becomes an important part of the weekend, with attractions and activities stretching along the promenade.
The Great Little Farmers Market
The Great Little Farmers Market returns to the seafront on both Sunday and Monday.
Their market will be located west of The Lido, bringing a wide selection of independent traders, producers and local businesses to the promenade.
The Great Little Farmers Market has been introducing its individual traders through its own social media channels, so visitors can discover who will be there before they arrive.
The market provides another opportunity to support independent businesses while enjoying the Carnival atmosphere.
Check The Great Little Farmers Market’s social channels for the latest trader announcements.
Rides and attractions
Heading east from The Lido, visitors will find rides and attractions provided by Dave Hunt Leisure and Coles Fun Fair.
These attractions continue towards the southern end of Steyne Gardens, adding another dimension to the Carnival experience and giving families plenty to see and do beyond the main entertainment areas.
The biggest Carnival parade for many years
The 2026 parade is shaping up to be the biggest for many years.
There are currently 33 confirmed parade entries, compared with 24 in 2025.
The entries represent the extraordinary variety of Worthing’s community, with participants including community groups, dancers, marching bands, sports organisations, charities, vehicles, entertainers and other local organisations.
And there are still more surprises being revealed.
The Carnival team is currently introducing parade participants through its social media channels, giving visitors the opportunity to discover who will be taking part before the big day.
South Coast Cop Cars
Among the returning attractions will be South Coast Cop Cars, who will be bringing their collection of police and emergency-service-themed vehicles to Worthing.
Their vehicles will be exhibited at Steyne Gardens during the Carnival and will also take part in the Monday parade.
It is another example of the variety that makes the Worthing parade different from a traditional procession.
Want to see the full parade line-up?
Visit our dedicated Parade section for the latest information.
A new community partnership: Showtec & Billy & Beyond
This year’s parade is also seeing a new partnership between two organisations who are both making their first appearance in the Worthing Rotary Carnival parade.
Showtec Sound & Light has teamed up with local charity Billy & Beyond, providing a PA system for the charity’s parade entry.
For Showtec, simply entering the parade wasn’t enough. The company wanted to use its expertise and equipment to support another local organisation and help give a community charity a bigger voice on the day.
Billy & Beyond will make its first appearance in the Carnival parade, supported by Showtec’s professional sound equipment.
It is another example of the sort of community partnership that the Carnival is keen to encourage: local organisations working together, sharing their skills and resources, and helping each other reach a wider audience. Both organisations are new to the Worthing Carnival parade this year, making the partnership particularly special.
It is also a great example of how businesses can get involved in Carnival in ways that go beyond simply sponsoring an event.
Showtec has the equipment and expertise. Billy & Beyond has an important cause to champion. Together, they are bringing both to the parade.
The Carnival team hopes this will be the first of many similar partnerships between local businesses, charities and community organisations.
Around 100 characters return with Cosplay Allstars
One of the most popular attractions from recent Carnivals is returning in 2026.
Cosplay Allstars will once again bring around 100 film, television and pop-culture characters to Steyne Gardens.
From superheroes and villains to much-loved characters from across the entertainment world, Cosplay Allstars has become one of the most talked-about parts of the Carnival.
Presenting some of the best cosplayers from around the UK, as seen at the biggest Comic Cons, these characters volunteer their time just to be here to help us with fundraising.
Visitors can meet the characters, take photographs and enjoy the spectacle throughout the weekend.
Please be respectful, ask before photographing, do not touch the costumes unless invited.
Live entertainment – including K-Pop Demon Hunters
There will be live entertainment throughout the weekend, with performers and acts taking to the Carnival stage.
One of Sunday’s headline attractions will be a K-Pop Demon Hunters tribute act, bringing the music and characters of the hugely popular franchise to Worthing.
The stage programme is being delivered by Stageworks, who are not only providing the stage infrastructure but are also coordinating the acts and entertainment programme.
Further entertainment information is being released through the Carnival’s website and social media channels.
A Carnival bar with a local connection
This year, visitors will also have a greater choice of refreshments, with a full alcohol licence allowing a broader selection of alcoholic drinks to be available at the event.
The Carnival bar is being organised by Keith’s Bar, with Rotarian Keith playing a key role in bringing the bar operation together, along with The Tin Box Company and Mocktails by Misha, which have been proving to be a huge hit at events this year.
The Carnival team has also been working with local businesses to create opportunities for visitors to enjoy the Carnival beyond the event site.
A number of local businesses are introducing Carnival specials and offers, with The Libertine and Indigo already announced and further businesses currently in discussion.
The aim is simple: to encourage visitors to explore Worthing rather than treating the Carnival as an isolated event.
Find out more about food, drink and Carnival traders on our Food & Drink and Stalls pages.
The return of the Carnival Parade Awards
After a break, the Carnival Parade Awards return for 2026.
Hosted by Tavola, the awards are designed to encourage parade entrants to go all out and demonstrate their creativity, energy and Carnival spirit.
This year’s judging panel includes:
- Bob Smytherman – Worthing Town Crier
- Paul Holden – The Worthing Journal
- A senior Rotary area leader
There will be four award categories, giving entrants several opportunities to impress the judges.
The awards aren’t simply about who has the biggest or most elaborate entry. They are about celebrating the creativity, enthusiasm, energy and community spirit that make the Worthing Carnival parade special.
A parade led by Worthing’s civic representatives
The Monday parade will be led by two familiar Worthing figures.
The Worthing Town Crier and the Mayor of Worthing will lead the procession as it makes its way along the seafront.
Their involvement reflects the Carnival’s long-standing place in the civic and community life of the town.
Supporting local causes
Worthing Rotary Carnival is a fundraising event as well as a celebration.
For 2026, the Carnival’s chosen beneficiaries are:
Kent, Surrey & Sussex Air Ambulance
Worthing Veterans Association
Both organisations will have a presence at the Carnival, helping visitors understand more about the work they do and providing opportunities for people to support them.
Visitors will also see volunteers carrying collection buckets during the Monday parade.
If you are able to contribute, every donation helps support the work of these organisations.
An event powered by volunteers
Putting on an event of this size requires a huge amount of voluntary effort.
The Carnival Committee is made up of 10 core Rotarians and volunteers who oversee the planning and delivery of the event throughout the year.
But the committee is only the beginning.
An army of volunteers will support the Carnival over the Bank Holiday weekend, helping with the parade, bucket collections, road closures, public information and general event support.
And then there are the hundreds of people behind the individual organisations taking part.
More than 700 people give their time through the parade groups, performers, charities and community organisations participating in the Carnival. That means the true volunteer effort behind Worthing Rotary Carnival runs into the hundreds of people.
Without them, there would be no Carnival.
A Carnival built by the local community
An event of this scale doesn’t happen without the support of local organisations and businesses.
The Carnival team would like to recognise the organisations providing practical, technical, promotional and logistical support for this year’s event.
Keith’s Bar
Keith’s Bar is providing and organising the Carnival bar operation, helping bring a greater choice of refreshments to the event.
Stageworks
Stageworks is providing the stage setup and supporting the Carnival’s live entertainment programme.
Ipro Security
Ipro Security is providing security and medical cover for the event, helping ensure that visitors, performers, traders and volunteers can enjoy the weekend safely.
Arun Pumps & RAW Services
Arun Pumps and RAW Services are supporting the parade by donating bottled water for parade entrants and volunteers.
A Star Waste Management
A Star Waste Management is providing waste-management services to help keep the Carnival site clean and well managed throughout the weekend.
Rocket Marketing
Rocket Marketing continues to provide invaluable support through its local business connections and social media expertise, helping the Carnival build relationships with businesses and reach new audiences.
Hemiko
Hemiko is providing security fencing to support the safe operation and management of the event site.
Touch of Bow
Touch of Bow is helping transform the Carnival stage area with its decorative work.
Regency Radio
Regency Radio will be providing live DAB broadcasting from Steyne Gardens, giving visitors another way to experience the Carnival and helping bring the atmosphere of the event to a wider audience.
Ardington Hotel
The Ardington Hotel is providing facilities and support to the Carnival team.
Worthing Journal
The Worthing Journal is supporting the event with publicity and helping spread the word about Carnival across the local community.
The Great Little Farmers Market
The Great Little Farmers Market is bringing its traders to the seafront for both days, providing an additional attraction and supporting independent businesses.
Dave Hunt Leisure & Coles Fun Fair
Dave Hunt Leisure and Coles Fun Fair are providing rides and attractions along the promenade, extending the Carnival experience beyond Steyne Gardens.
These organisations, together with the many other businesses, community groups and individuals involved, demonstrate what can happen when Worthing comes together behind a community event.
Supporting Worthing’s local economy
A major community event inevitably creates additional footfall in the town.
The Carnival attracts visitors from Worthing and surrounding areas, as well as people travelling specifically to attend the event.
While the Carnival has its own traders and attractions, visitors also spend money throughout the wider town.
Cafés, restaurants, pubs, shops, accommodation providers and other businesses all have the opportunity to benefit from the increased number of people visiting Worthing over the Bank Holiday weekend.
The Carnival team regularly speaks to local businesses about their experience of Carnival weekend, and several have told us that it is one of, if not the, busiest trading days of their year.
This is one of the reasons the Carnival team is keen to develop stronger relationships with local businesses and create more opportunities for the town to benefit from the event.
The introduction of Carnival specials by local businesses is one example of how that relationship is beginning to develop.
Travel, parking and the Monday parade
The Monday parade will begin at 12.30pm on Monday 31 August from Grand Avenue, travelling along the seafront towards Steyne Gardens.
The parade is expected to arrive at Steyne Gardens at approximately 1.30pm.
Temporary traffic restrictions will be required to allow the parade to take place safely, including restrictions affecting the seafront route.
Visitors are encouraged to consider walking, cycling or using public transport where possible, particularly on Monday.
Anyone travelling by car should plan ahead and allow additional time for their journey.
There are car parks around the town centre and seafront, but visitors should not rely on finding on-street parking close to the Carnival, particularly during the parade.
Residents should also be aware that the Monday parade will create temporary disruption along the seafront.
We appreciate that road closures can be inconvenient, but they are necessary to allow one of Worthing’s biggest community events to take place safely.
Full information about parking, maps, road closures and travel is available on our website.
Find everything you need for Carnival 2026
Rather than trying to put everything into one article, the Carnival website contains dedicated information pages covering the different aspects of the weekend.
Visitors can find:
Parade – the latest entrants, route and parade information.
Stalls – information about traders, community groups and organisations attending.
Food & Drink – discover what food and drink will be available.
Maps – find your way around the Carnival and surrounding areas.
Parking & Travel – information to help you plan your journey.
Line-up – keep up with the latest entertainment announcements.
As new information becomes available, these pages will be updated.
Follow the Carnival
The Carnival team will continue announcing performers, parade entries, businesses, attractions and other Carnival news across its social media channels in the run-up to the Bank Holiday weekend.
Following the Carnival online is the best way to discover what is new for 2026.
Look out for announcements throughout August.
Worthing Rotary Carnival 2026
Sunday 30 August & Monday 31 August 2026. 11am to 7pm.
Steyne Gardens & Worthing Seafront
Free admission
Monday Parade – 12.30pm from Grand Avenue
Whether you are coming to watch the parade, meet a superhero, discover the Farmers Market, enjoy the fun fair, listen to live entertainment, discover a local community group, grab some food, enjoy a drink, support one of our chosen charities or simply spend the Bank Holiday with friends and family, we look forward to welcoming you.
Worthing Rotary Carnival – bringing Worthing together.
Media & photography
Official images can be found through the Carnival’s website and social media channels. Where required, please contact the Carnival team for high-resolution versions and appropriate photographer credits.
Media contact:
Worthing Rotary Carnival Committee
Email: [email protected]
SUPPORT US
Please save your pennies and drop them in the charity buckets during the course of the parade and help us raise essential funds to support local groups and charities.
Alternatively, donate via text message.
Let’s make 2026 the most colourful, energetic, and memorable Carnival yet! 🎭
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📱 Don’t forget to tag us in your own Carnival photos and use #WorthingCarnival so we can share your memories too!
Let’s keep the Carnival spirit alive all year round.
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