Swanage Carnival

🗓️ Saturday 27^th July – Saturday 3^rd August 2024

**Save the date for 2025: Saturday 26^th July – Saturday 2^nd August. More info coming soon**

Swanage Carnival is one of the main highlights of the year in Swanage and across the Isle of Purbeck, with eight days of entertainment taking over the town in one of Dorset’s most popular family-friendly festivals.

Each day of Carnival is packed with family-friendly entertainment day and night, which takes over the town’s streets and beachfront, with a festival hub at its central showground, overlooking Swanage Bay.

There’s a different carnival theme each year – the theme for 2024 was Jurassic Rocks, which brought lots of prehistoric and dinosaur-inspired fun to the town.

With live music, fireworks, games & competitions, and the famous annual procession, there’s something for the whole family at Swanage Carnival, from traditional fun runs, friendly competitions and dog show, to the more unique events such as the wheelbarrow race, dinosaur derby and fire-engine pull.

The carnival’s showground at Sandpit Field is home to an array of street food stalls, a beer & pimms tent, children’s fairground games and an annual craft & produce market.

Swanage’s bars, cafés and restaurants all enter into the party spirit too – you’ll find carnival-themed gigs, pub games and quiz nights throughout the week.

The carnival has grown year-on-year since its inception in the 1800s to now being a major attraction on the south coast, with over a hundred different events across the eight days – ranging from special performances from visiting acts to the simple pleasures of sand sculpture competitions and carnival games.

Swanage Carnival remains completely free to attend, with small entry fees for various activities and competitions.

The event raises thousands of pounds each year (£27,650 in 2023), which is given to a range of local charities and good causes.

2024 Procession Highlights

This year’s Jurassic Rocks festival theme was fully embraced by local groups’ decorated floats and handmade costumes, with new faces and returning favourites bringing their music, dance and infectious carnival energy to the streets of Swanage once more.

Programme of Events for 2024

Below is a list of Carnival events which you can book your place on in advance, along with some key dates to remember, including the Carnival procession and fireworks nights – for the full list of what’s on during Carnival week, pick up a copy of the Swanage Carnival programme or download the app, via which you can also make a donation.

Entry forms can be found on the Swanage Carnival website: https://swanagecarnival.com/entry-forms/

We’ll also update timings daily, as Swanage Carnival posts updates on its Facebook page.

Saturday 27^th July

Photo Marathon Competition

Calling all budding photographers – it’s a chance to showcase your best images in Swanage Carnival’s 48-hour photography competition.

Winners will be announced on Wednesday 31^st July at 12pm at the Carnival Arms bar in the marquee.

All winning images will be published by Swanage.News.

• Time: From 10am
• Entry: £5
• Location: Sandpit Field marquee

Shore Runners

• Entry fee: £4
• Start time: 10am
• Location: Shore Road

Categories

• Age 3 – 5 years (0.25 miles)
• Age 6 – 8 years (0.5 miles)
• Ages 9 – 12 years (1 mile)

Indoor Rowing Challenge

• Timings: 11am – 1pm
• Venue: Swanage Rowing Club gig shed

Categories

• Under 14: £3
• Under 16: £3
• Age 16+: £6
• Age 40+: £6

Dinosaur Derby

A brand new event for 2024, this fun race involves inflatable dinosaur outfits and lots of silliness.

• Start time: 11.30am
• Suitable for: Age 14+
• Cost: £5
• Location: Sandpit Field

Live Music: Sussex Steel Band

• Start time: 12pm

Live Music: Kelp!

Swanage’s premier sea shanty singers!

• Start time: 12.30pm

Totally Unleashed Dinosaur Experience

Get up close and personal with Swanage Carnival’s roarsome resident dinosaurs this year.

• Start time: 1pm

Fire Engine Fun

Supported by the Wessex Fire & Rescue Service.

• Start time: 2pm

Live Music: Phoenix Rock n’ Roll

• Start time: 3pm

Fire Engine Pull

Teams of 10 required.

• Start time: 3.30/4pm
• Location: Shore Road
• Cost: £20 per team

Live Music: The Skimmity Hitchers

‘Scrumpy & Western’ Dorset band.

• Start time: 7pm

Live Music: Raw Samba

• Start time: 8.30pm

Live Music: Fluke

Local band playing pop, rock & soul classics

• Start time: 9pm

Fireworks Display

• Start time: 9.45pm approx.
• Location: Swanage seafront

Sunday 28^th July

Carnival Praises

• Start time: 10.30am

Rexy the Dinosaur

• Timings: 12pm – 6pm
• Location: Banjo Pier

Live Music: Sussex Steel Band

• Start time: 12pm

Live Music: Old Hat

• Start time: 12.30pm

Granny Turismo

• Timings: 12.30pm – 4.30pm
• Locations: Main arena & seafront

Live Music: Bournemouth Carnival Band

• Start time: 1.30pm

Martin Hobdell Poetry

• Start time: 1.30pm

Beach Buggy Club & Top Hat Riders

• Start time: 2.45pm

Carnival Procession

• Start time: 3pm

The annual Swanage Carnival parade goes along Shore Road, into Institute Road and on to High Street – you can check all relevant road closures and temporary parking restrictions online: swanagecarnival.com/swanage-carnival-week-road-closures/

(Procession judging begins circa 1.30pm – 2.15pm)

Live Music: Jess Upton & the Guilty Pleasures

• Start time: 7pm

Live Music: Sway Allstars Orchestra

• Start time: 9pm

Monday 29^th July

Market Day and Table Top Sale

• Timings: 10am – 4pm
• Location: Showground, Sandpit Field

Regatta Trophy Bowls Drive

• Start time: 10am
• Location: Beach Gardens

Live Music: Swanage Jazz Machine

• Start time: 11.30am

Open Mic Poetry Session

• Timings: 12pm/1.30pm – 3pm (please check timings at venue)
• Location: Ballard Stage, Sandpit Field

Go Kart Grand Prix

• Registration: 1.30pm
• Start time: 2pm
• Suitable for: Ages 6-9
• Cost: £3
• Location: Swanage seafront, Shore Road

Open Putting Championship

• Timings: 2.30pm – 6.30pm
• Location: Beach Gardens

Food Demo – Swanage Bay Fish

• Timings: 3pm – 4pm
• Venue: Marquee, Sandpit Field

Live Music: Charlie Goodwin

• Start time: 4pm

Swanage Bay Swim

With categories for all ages and abilities, this open water swim in the bay is a fun challenge to take part in and to spectate.

Categories

• Under 11s: 100m fun swim, £5
• Ages 12 – 15: 200m fun swim, £5
• Age 16+ 500m swim: £10
• Age 16+ 1000m swim: £10

• Start time: 6.30pm (registration 5.30pm)
• Entry: £5
• Location: The Stone Quay

Carnival Bingo

• Timings: 8pm – 10.30pm
• Venue: Carnival marquee, Sandpit Field

Open Darts Competition

• Registration: 7pm
• Timings: 8pm – 11pm
• Venue: Swanage Royal British Legion

Tuesday 30^th July

Crabbing Competition

Hosted by Swanage Sea Fishing – grab your lines, buckets, nets and bait for just £2 and get crabbing.

• Start time: 10am – 12pm
• Location: The Stone Quay

Art for Fun

• Timings: 10am – 4.30pm
• Venue: Andy Knill art studio

Live Music: Pastimers

• Start time: 11.30am

Wacky Races

• Start time: 12pm
• Location: Showground, Sandpit Field

French Boules Singles Tournament

• Register: 12pm
• Start: 1pm
• Location: Recreation Ground

Junior Tennis Tournament

For ages 14+.

• Registration: 12.30pm
• Start time: 1pm
• Venue: Swanage Tennis Club
• Entry fee: £5

Live Music: Swing Easy Too

• Start time: 1pm

Food Demo – Burnt Toast

• Timings: 2pm – 3pm

Carnival Art Auction

New for 2024 is the Swanage Carnival Art Auction, which will showcase a diverse range of works from local artists and photographers.

Get in touch with the Carnival team direct if you’d like to donate a piece for the auction, which will help raise money for local charities and good causes.

• Auction start time: 5pm

Carnival Biathlon

• Registration: 6pm
• Start time: 6.30pm
• Meet point: Outside The Mowlem
• Age groups: Under 8s, 8 – 10, 11 – 14, 15+
• Cost: £3

Putting Semi-Final

• Timings: 6.30pm – 9pm
• Location: Beach Gardens

Live Music: Dorset Gene Pool

• Start time: 7pm

Pool Competition

• Start time: 7pm (Registration 7.30pm)
• Venue: Royal British Legion

Barn Dance

With the Black Sheep band.

• Start time: 8.30pm – 11pm
• Location: Sandpit Field

Wednesday 31^st July

Community Performance Day

Enjoy a celebration of local talent, with music, dance and theatre performances from a range of Swanage-based groups, including:

• The Ranger School of Dance: 11am
• Swanage Gymnastics Display: 11.30am
• Swanage Musical Theatre Company: 12.15pm
• Open mic session hosted by Newton Manor Hall: 1pm
• Allsort’d Choir: 4pm
• Performances on the seafront, along with Simon Chainey’s Fire Show: From 8pm

Live Music: Maiden Oak

• Start time: 11.30am

Scruff’s Fun Dog Show – **CANCELLED**

Today’s dog show has been cancelled due to the hot weather.

• Timings: 12.15pm – 4pm
• Location: Showground, Sandpit Field

Senior Tennis Tournament

Mixed doubles, round robin competition for ages 15+.

• Pairs registered: 12.30pm
• Start time: 1pm
• Venue: Swanage Tennis Club, Beach Gardens
• Cost: £8

Food Demo – The Salt Pig – **CANCELLED**

Today’s food demo has been cancelled due to illness.

• Start time: 2pm
• Venue: Marquee, Sandpit Field

Live Music: Remix

• Start time: 3pm

Silent Disco

• Timings: 5pm – 7pm

4-Mile Fun Run

• Start time: 6.30pm
• Location: Sandpit Field
• Age groups: 13 – 14, 15 – 17, 18 – 59, 60+
• Cost: £8

Putting Final

• Start time: 6.30pm
• Location: Beach Gardens

Live Music – Mother Ukers

• Start time: 7pm

Pre-Firework Entertainment

• Start time: 8pm

Live Music: Imprints

• Start time: 9pm

Fireworks Display

• Start time: 9.45pm
• Location: Swanage seafront

Thursday 1^st August

Sand Sculpture Competition

• Categories for children & adults
• Timings: 10.30am – 12pm
• Location: Swanage central beach

Carnival’s Got Talent Auditions

If you sing, dance or have any skill or talent you’d like to showcase as this year’s Carnival’s Got Talent, today’s the day to come down to audition!

• Registration open: 11am – 12.30pm
• Event timings: 1pm – 4.30pm

Footgolf Competition

Golf with a difference – can you pot the ball with your foot?

• Registration: 10am
• Timings: 11am – 12.30pm
• Venue: Isle of Purbeck Golf Club
• Cost: £10

Live Music: Keith Lockett

• Start time: 11.30am

Live Music: Jurassic Rock n’ Roll

• Start time: 12.15pm

Circus Skills Workshop

• Timings: 12pm – 5pm
• Location: Showground, Sandpit Field

Children’s Party & Fancy Dress Disco

• Timings: 6pm – 7pm
• Venue: Marquee, Sandpit Field

Silent Disco

• Timings: 7/7.30pm – 9pm
• Venue: Marquee, Sandpit Field

Gig Racing

In the bay, with Swanage Sea Rowing Club.

• Timings: 6pm – 8.30pm

Live Music: Swanage Town Band

• Start time: 7pm

Beer Pong

Get a team together for the annual Carnival Beer Pong challenge (18+ only).

• Timings: 6pm – 9pm
• Venue: The Mowlem Showbar
• Teams: Of 1 – 3 people
• Entry: £10

Fancy Dress Street Party

Come along in your best fancy dress costume to the Swanage Carnival Street Party, where there’ll be stilt walkers, fire acts and live music.

• Start time: 7/7.30pm – 9pm
• Location: Lower High Street

Yard of Ale Challenge

Take on the challenge yourself or just come along to watch the Yard of Ale attempts.

Participants must be aged 18+.

• Timings: 7.45pm – 9pm
• Women’s entry: £2.50, half yard of ale
• Men’s entry: £5, yard of ale
• Location: Outside The White Horse pub, High Street

Live Music: The Reptiles

• Start time: 9pm

Friday 2^nd August

Vintage & Classic Car Show

Come along and view up to 50 classic cars and vintage vehicles at the carnival’s annual display.

• Timings: 10am – 4pm
• Location: Sandpit Field

Pavement Artists’ Competition

A chance for the whole family to get creative and have some fun – design your own pavement art for the chance to win a prize.

• Registration: 9.30am
• Timings: 10.30am – 12pm
• Suitable for: All ages & abilities
• Location: The seafront by The Mowlem

Art For Fun

• Timings: 10am – 4.30pm
• Venue: Andy Knill Art Studio

Children’s Songs & Storytime

Supported by Swanage Library.

• Start time: 11am
• Venue: Marquee, Sandpit Field

Carnival Bingo

• Timings: 11.30am – 1.30pm
• Venue: Marquee, Sandpit Field

French Boules Doubles

• Start time: 1pm (Registration 12pm)
• Location: Recreation Ground

Live Music: Swing Easy Too

• Start time: 1.30pm

Fancy Dress Paddleboard Race – **CANCELLED**

Please note today’s SUP race has been cancelled due to high offshore winds.

• Start time: 1.30pm
• Location: Ocean Bay Beach

Carnival’s Got Talent Final

• Timings: 2.30pm – 4.30pm
• Venue: Marquee, Sandpit Field

Wheelbarrow Race

Fancy dress, teams of two, ages 18+.

• Start time: 7.30pm
• Start point: Swanage Information Centre
• Entry fee: £10 per team

Live Music: Tim Somerfield

• Start time: 7pm

Carnival Karaoke

• Start time: 9pm
• Venue: East Bar, High Street

Live Music: The Bournemouth Ratpack

• Start time: 9pm

Saturday 3^rd August

Percy the Plesiosaur Swims Again

• Timings: 10am – 4pm
• Location: Main Beach

Savage Skills BMX

• Timings: At intervals between 12pm – 5pm
• Location: Showground, Sandpit Field

Black Eagles Acrobatics

• Timings: At intervals, 1pm – 4.30pm
• Location: Showground, Sandpit Field

Silent Disco

• Start time: 2pm
• Venue: Marquee, Sandpit Field

Titan the Robot

• Timings: 3pm – 8.30pm
• Locations: Showground & Shore Road

Fireworks Display

• Start time: 9.45pm approx.
• Location: Swanage seafront

Volunteering

One of the best ways to get involved with the local community in Swanage is through volunteering – and what better way to start sharing your time and skills than Carnival.

It’s a great way to meet new people and see different aspects of the town, whether that’s helping out with the preparations in the months leading up to Carnival as a committee member, or simply becoming a Friend of Swanage Carnival and helping out during the fun-filled but busy week – either way the amount of time you give is flexible.

To enquire about becoming a Friend or committee member, send an email to the Swanage Carnival team here: swanagecarnival.com/volunteer/

History of the Carnival

From a simple sailing regatta back in the 1800s to the week-long extravaganza with over a hundred events throughout the week as it is today, Swanage Carnival has become a key event for the town’s tourism and a special place in the hearts of the people who live here and those who return year-on-year to enjoy the festivities once more.

As the original, historic regatta held in Swanage Bay gained in popularity it soon became a regular feature of the new seaside town, and a carnival to mark its finale was introduced in the 1900s.

Word soon spread of Swanage’s fun-filled Regatta & Carnival and soon a new element was added – the road race. This began to draw even more visitors, and by the mid-1900s festivities had grown into a week-long celebration similar to the carnival we know and love today.

In the 1950s the Swanage Carnival gained further renown when the children’s author of the moment, Enid Blyton, took up the position of Carnival President. Blyton was heavily involved in various aspects of Purbeck life – with her husband, Kenneth Darrell Waters, she owned the Isle of Purbeck Golf Club in Studland and many of her books are heavily influenced by the landscape of this, her favourite holiday destination. It’s recorded that Blyton also helped to organise the famous fireworks display that continues to be one the main attractions of the event to this day.

“I hope the Carnival and Regatta will be as successful as ever, with real summer come at last. But my main thoughts are, of course, with the children, whether resident or visitors. This year they have a very full and exciting programme, and will enjoy every minute. Happy days to you, children, and a great welcome to Swanage, if you are our visitors.”

Enid Blyton, in her Carnival Presidential foreword

In the following years, Swanage Carnival became a vital opportunity to raise money for local charitable organisations in Swanage and continues to contribute hugely to good causes, so if you see a donation point or friendly volunteer with a bucket, pop what you can in and know that it’s going to a good cause.