Children's Parade

The Children’s Parade is set to take over the Streets of Brighton on 1 May 2026, marking a significant milestone as it celebrates its 40th anniversary. Since its debut in 1986, this event has served as the traditional opening for the Brighton Festival, growing into what is now considered the largest parade of its kind in Europe. It is produced by the community arts group Same Sky, who coordinate with around 5,000 children from schools across Brighton & Hove. Throughout the school year, these students work closely with teachers and professional artists to design and construct the large-scale artworks, intricate costumes, and reusable flags that make up the procession.

This year’s theme, 'Read All About It!', is inspired by the National Year of Reading and will see the parade organised into six distinct literary categories. The children will be interpreting genres ranging from realistic and historical fiction to fantasy, traditional stories, science fiction, and graphic novels or picture books. It’s a practical way for the schools to engage with literature through visual art, with institutions like Moulsecoomb Primary School, Downs View School, and Harbour Primary School having participated in the past. The focus remains on the creative output of the pupils, who spend months preparing their displays before bringing them to the city centre.

In addition to the visual displays, the 2026 edition introduces samba masterclasses, which are intended to integrate more live music and rhythm into the movement of the parade. As a public street event, it is free for spectators and tends to attract a wide range of residents and visitors who gather to see the results of the schools' efforts. While the deadline for schools to sign up was back in September, the actual event on the first of May functions as a massive, open-air gallery. It’s a straightforward community gathering that highlights the collaboration between local educators and the professional arts sector, maintaining its place as a staple of the local cultural calendar for four decades.