Procession

Usual day & time: First Sunday of Carnival, circa 3pm

The annual procession is one of Swanage Carnival’s main attractions.

It’s a spectacle to behold and a fun event to take part in with friends and family, or your school or community group, and is open to residents and visitors alike.

  • Homemade dinosaur costume at the Swanage Carnival procession
  • Bagpipers at Swanage Carnival procession
  • Coastguards at Swanage Carnival procession
  • Swanage Carnival 2024 procession first prize winner
  • Carnival parade dancers, Swanage
  • Jurassic Rocks theme for the 2024 Swanage Carnival

The carnival parade is a real feast for the eyes and ears, with marching bands and steel drummers joining the procession of floats and walking entries along the seafront and through the town.

Look out for all the local Swanage organisations that take part and give them a wave as they pass by – from schools and community groups to local heroes like Swanage coastguard, the RNLI and fire station staff and volunteers.

You’ll be treated to displays from belly-dance troupes and majorettes, along with an array of brightly-decorated floats and fancy-dress costumes, all reflecting the year’s Carnival theme.

Prizes are given for the best entries, so it’s a great chance to get creative and have some fun if you’re taking part.

  • Start time: 3pm
  • (Procession judging begins circa 1.30pm – 2.15pm)
  • (2024 information)

How to Enter

If you’d like to take part in the next Carnival procession, simply head online to the Swanage Carnival website, where entry forms and information can be found nearer the time: https://swanagecarnival.com

Procession Route

The procession follows the same route each year, with entries gathering on De Moulham Road, before parading along the seafront (Shore Road), into Institute Road and on to High Street.

Road closures will be in place before and during the procession, details of which will be posted online ahead of the event.

2024 Procession Highlights

2024’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.