Brighton Festival Children's Parade

The Brighton Festival Children's Parade is returning on 2 May 2026, marking the official start of the Brighton Festival. If you have spent any time in the city during early May, you have likely seen the streets fill up for this event. It is organised by Same Sky, the same group behind Burning the Clocks, and it functions as a large-scale community project involving local schools and various community groups. The parade is essentially a procession of children showcasing their work, which typically includes large-scale sculptures, choreographed dance routines, and live music.

The event is scheduled to begin at 10:30 am at Jubilee Street. While the route can vary slightly from year to year, it traditionally moves through the city centre, often passing through East Street before making its way toward the seafront at Madeira Drive. Because the parade takes place entirely on public streets, it is accessible to anyone who wants to watch from the sidelines. It is a straightforward, community-focused morning that tends to draw a significant crowd of families and residents.

Since this is a public event, there is no ticket required to watch, though the city centre gets quite busy during the morning hours. It is worth keeping in mind that the parade is designed specifically for children and families, so the atmosphere is generally quite lively and focused on the participants' performances. If you are planning to be in the area, it is a good idea to check the local traffic or pedestrian access routes near Jubilee Street and the seafront, as the parade route usually causes temporary closures to accommodate the procession.