What’s On
Your guide to what’s happening at Aldeburgh Carnival.
THE PROGRAMME OF EVENTS
Here’s a flavour of what you can expect to see over the three days of Carnival.
Saturday
Music Day
LIVE MUSIC ON THE BEACH
Come along and get a good “seat on the beach” pick up some food and drinks from the vendors on the Moot Green, local shops, or bring some from home and enjoy a few hours on Saturday afternoon relaxing on the beach listening to local artistes.
Music Day sponsors:
SILENT AUCTION
Opens before Carnival and runs through until Sunday afternoon on Moot Green.
EAST ANGLIAN KITE FLYERS
Weather permitting, displays of spectacular giant kites will take place all day onthe beach opposite Wentworth Hotel.
Iluminated kites will fly at dusk (approx. 8.00p.m.) on Saturday.
DUCK RACES!
On Saturday and Sunday at 4.30 p.m.
Ducks are on sale between 10.00a.m. and 4.00 p.m. on the Moot Hall Greens.
generous cash prizes sponsored by Aldeburgh Yacht Club.
Sunday
Sports Day
10k Mini Marathon
Our famous 10k Mini Marathon, through the beautiful Aldeburgh countryside. Find entry information and register your entry online using the link below.
10k Mini Marathon sponsor:
Aitch Group
AND ON THE MOOT HALL GREENS
The Egg Boat Race
A challenge for inventors, to carry an unbroken, raw chicken egg across the Model Yacht Pond.
DUCK RACES!
Ducks on sale between 10.00am and 4.00pm
on the Moot Hall greens.
Generous cash prizes sponsored by Aldeburgh Yacht Club
10/10 Treasure Hunt!
Find 10 items, and answer 10 clues
All clues can be found between Crag Path and the beach.
Prizes for 11 years and under, and 12 years and over.
Entry form – collect from Silent auction gazebo; draw table; or when you buy your duck!
Punch and Judy
Two chances to enjoy this classic event.
SILENT AUCTION
Opens before Carnival and runs through until Sunday afternoon on Moot Green.
United songs of praise
On the greens north of the Moot Hall.
EAST ANGLIAN KITE FLYERS
Monday
Carnival Day
Carnival Procession
3.15pm from the Moot Hall, and down the High Street.
WAITERS RACE
Practice your skills for the Waiters Race on Carnival Day: –
The Challenge – Carry a tray of items (all provided) from The Suffolk to the White Hart
Entry – Open to All
Registration at The Suffolk 152, High Street or email enquiries@the-suffolk.co.uk
Registration closes at 2.30pm on the day
Entry Fee – £20 (entrants win a bottle of champagne!)
Prize – overnight stay for two at The Suffolk including dinner and breakfast
Sponsored by The Suffolk
Prepare your entry in the carnival procession
RNLI and HM Coastguard Air-Sea Rescue demonstration
Event is subject to weather conditions.
SUFFOLK SCHOOL OF SAMBA, POP CHorus & MILITARY BAND PERFORMANCES IN THE HIGH STREET
Spectacular music to get you dancing.
Carnival Queen Crowning at the Moot Hall
The Carnival Queen is crowned at the Moot Hall.
Swimming Races in the sea
A long-standing tradition – join other swimmers in a sea race.
Also happening over Carnival weekend
Lucky Duck races (Saturday and Sunday)
The Carnival Draw (available from the Draw Table in the High Street from mid-July)
Spot The Window
Rides for the children, including the famous gallopers
Arts, crafts, gifts, food, drink and other trade stalls near the Moot Hall
Decorated Premises competition
Carnival Queen historic photo gallery
Please buy a Carnival programme for full event details.
Buy your souvenir programme online
For full details of what’s happening and when, event information, town map and the Which Advert quiz.
It costs over £45,000 a year for a dedicated team of volunteers to organise Aldeburgh Carnival.
Your £3 goes a long way, and without this income we wouldn’t be able to organise Aldeburgh Carnival. Programmes can be purchased in the online Shop, as well as in various retail outlets locally in the lead up to Carnival.
Award-winning family entertainment
In 2018, against some well-established competitors, we were delighted to win the East Anglian Daily Times/Eastern Daily Press award for Family Tourism Event of the Year. Aldeburgh Carnival is organised entirely by volunteers. Come and see why we won the award.
Looking for entry forms?
Some events require an entry form to be completed.
Click below to find out more.
Carnival 2025 dates
Saturday 16th, Sunday 17th and Monday 18th August 2025
Make a donation
Have a question?
You can contact us