Preparation for the 82nd Aldeburgh Carnival is already well underway following the 2026 kick-off meeting held in February. The meeting brought together both existing and new members of the Carnival Committee, marking the official start of another exciting year of planning.

The committee continues to be ably led by Carnival Director Sally Watts, who enters her second year in the role. Sally understands first-hand just how important the Carnival is to the people of Aldeburgh, as well as to visitors from across East Anglia and further afield.

Having once been a Carnival Queen herself, Sally experienced a particularly special moment last year when she proudly watched her own daughter crowned at the 81st Aldeburgh Carnival—a memory that perfectly reflects the community spirit and tradition that the Carnival represents.

The theme for the 82nd Carnival will be “Country & Eastern – Aldeburgh Ho Down”, embracing strong country and western influences.

Carnival floats will be encouraged to reflect the theme, and we’d love to see visitors getting involved too—so dust off those Stetsons, cowboy hats, and cowgirl boots and join in the fun!

Many of the much-loved events from previous years will return across the four-day Carnival, continuing to entertain all ages. More details will be shared as bookings are confirmed.

To round off the celebrations, Carnival Monday is planned to feature country music, and—fingers crossed—some line dancing, keeping the Country & Eastern theme alive into the evening.

It’s a fair question—and the answer is simple.

Putting on a Carnival that attracts tens of thousands of visitors each year requires an enormous amount of preparation. From logistics and safety planning to entertainment, traffic management, and fundraising, it simply wouldn’t be possible without:

A dedicated Carnival Committee

Hundreds of committed volunteers

The support of sponsors and public services

Early planning is what ensures the Carnival remains safe, enjoyable, and successful year after year.

Volunteers are absolutely vital to the success and safety of the Carnival.

We would like to thank all our 2025 volunteers and encourage them to stay involved for 2026, while also warmly welcoming new volunteers to join the team.

To be crystal clear: without the generous support of hundreds of volunteers, the Carnival simply could not happen.

How to Volunteer?

You can start right now:

A wide variety of stalls across the four-day Carnival weekend plays a huge part in creating the atmosphere—offering great food, entertainment, and a bit of retail therapy for everyone to enjoy.

Are you a stallholder? Apply for a pitch below.

We are incredibly excited to be planning another successful Aldeburgh Carnival. Thanks to the support of volunteers, sponsors, public services, and everyone who attends—both locally and from further afield—the Carnival continues to raise vital funds for local charities.

✨ More Carnival updates will follow as we move through 2026 ✨

Stay tuned—and get ready for the Aldeburgh Ho Down! 🤠🎶