Brighton Festival Children's Parade 2026

This Saturday, 16 May 2026, marks the return of the Brighton Festival Children's Parade. It is the 40th anniversary of this event, which serves as the opening for the wider Brighton Festival. This year, the theme is 'Read All About It!', focusing on literature and storytelling. The parade involves 55 different groups, including various local schools like Meridian Community Primary School, Brunswick Primary, and St Nicolas C of E Primary, alongside community organisations and carnival bands. They have prepared sculptures, dance routines, and music based on a range of literary sources, from folk tales to the works of authors such as Roald Dahl, Jules Verne, and Oliver Jeffers.

The procession is scheduled to begin at 10:30 am, starting at the junction of New Road and Jubilee Street. From there, the route moves through North Street, East Street, and Grand Junction Road, with the parade expected to conclude at Madeira Drive by 1:00 pm. As in previous years, the event is free to attend and open to the public, making it a straightforward option for those looking to spend the morning outdoors in the city centre. It is a community-led effort that relies on the participation of these local groups to fill the streets with their interpretations of the chosen theme.