Brighton Festival Children's Parade

This weekend, the city centre will be busy with the return of the Brighton Festival Children's Parade. It is happening on Saturday, 26 April 2026, and is a familiar fixture for those of us who have spent a few springs in Brighton. The event is scheduled to start at 10:30 am, so if you are planning to be in the area, it is worth keeping in mind that the streets will be quite crowded from the morning onwards.

The parade itself is a large-scale community effort that involves a variety of local schools and groups. The visual side of the event is built around large-scale sculptures, which are usually the main focus as they move through the streets. Alongside these, you will see choreographed dance routines and hear music performed by the participants. It is a straightforward, open-air event that relies on the participation of the local community to fill the route with activity.

Regarding the logistics, the route is set to begin at Jubilee Street. From there, the procession moves along East Street and eventually concludes at Madeira Drive. Since it is a street-based event, there is no admission fee to watch the parade as it passes by. It is a family-oriented occasion, so expect a high volume of people along the entire path, particularly near the starting point and the finish line. If you are heading out, it is best to plan your route through the city centre accordingly, as the parade will naturally impact traffic and pedestrian flow throughout the morning.