The wait is finally over for one of the biggest highlights on the local calendar.
This week, the village of Crowthorne will burst into a spectacular array of noise, colour, and community spirit as the Crowthorne Carnival 2026 officially gets underway.
Spanning from Saturday, July 4, until Monday, July 13, the ten-day celebration is returning with an incredibly timely and vibrant theme: Planet Earth.
Local schools, community groups, businesses, and residents have spent months preparing, and the result promises to transform the area into a celebration of nature, sustainability, and togetherness.
Here is everything you need to know about what is happening as Carnival Week launches this weekend.
The Grand Procession: Saturday, July 4 (12noon)
The centerpiece of the opening weekend is the spectacular Carnival Procession. On Saturday, a vibrant convoy of custom-built floats, marching groups, and walking performers will weave through the heart of the village.
The Route: The parade will depart from Wellington College at 12 noon. It will then travel down Dukes Ride and advance straight through the High Street, finishing up at its destination: the Morgan recreation ground.
Road Closures: To keep spectators and participants safe, rolling road closures will be managed by marshals along the route between 11:30am and 1:15pm. Drivers are advised to plan extra time or look for alternative routes during these times.
Once the procession arrives at the Morgan recreation ground, the gates will open for the traditional Carnival Fete, running throughout Saturday afternoon.
The fete stands as one of the largest single-day community events in the area, offering a packed schedule of family activities.
Attendees can explore a diverse marketplace of charity stalls, local business vendors, and food and drink pop-ups. For the thrill-seekers, a traditional funfair will be running alongside a packed schedule of live music, arena performances, and dance showcases.
Have you got a four-legged friend with star quality? The popular Carnival dog show kicks off at 1:30pm at the recreation ground.
Registration opens at 12noon, with entry priced at £2 per category. Categories range from Cutest Puppy to the highly competitive Waggiest Tail” with prizes up for grabs
The festive atmosphere has already begun building behind the scenes. This week, independent judges will be walking the village to score the highly anticipated Shop Window Competition (with final judging on July 2) alongside the Colourful Gardens and Scarecrow competitions.
As the calendar moves into next week, the carnival schedule branches out into community sporting events, including local snooker and darts tournaments, designed to keep the carnival spirit thriving right through until July 13.
For the complete daily schedule, event locations, and program details, visit the official Crowthorne Carnival website.
