Wells Carnival 2026

Wells Carnival – Keeping the Spirit Alive!

Wells Carnival has been part of the town’s tradition for over 100 years, evolving through the decades but always with one simple aim — to bring affordable fun and entertainment to locals and visitors in our beautiful seaside town of Wells-next-the-Sea on the North Norfolk coast.

Each summer, during late July and early August, our 10-day programme offers around 100 events packed with family fun and community spirit. From live music, outdoor cinema, afternoon teas and craft markets, to our much-loved raft race, fun run and competitions — there’s something for everyone.

The celebrations conclude with the highlight of the week: Carnival Day, featuring a colourful procession of floats, fancy dress, and push-and-pull contraptions winding through the town’s streets.

This year, more than ever, our running costs have risen sharply. To ensure Wells Carnival continues to deliver the spectacular event we all know and love, we urgently need your support.

Beyond providing entertainment, Wells Carnival plays a vital role in supporting local charitable groups. We offer these organisations a free platform to promote their causes and raise funds during Carnival week. The Carnival procession includes a bucket collection, and the money raised — along with a portion of Carnival funds — is distributed to local charities at our October AGM. In 2025, we proudly donated over £17,000, in partnership with the Holkham Charitable Foundation, to 40 local non-profit organisations — many of which rely on this financial boost to continue their valuable work.

Our voluntary committee — affectionately known as “the Crew” — spend nearly a year planning every detail of the event. Alongside this, they run smaller fundraising activities throughout the year to help cover costs.

Funding remains one of our biggest challenges. Pitch fees, raffles, and year-round fundraising only cover a fraction of expenses. The Carnival depends heavily on sponsorships and individual donations to make up the shortfall.

We appreciate that times are tough, which makes it even more important for us to keep our family-friendly events accessible to all. If you are able to contribute — no matter how small — your support will make a real difference. Every donation helps keep Wells Carnival alive for generations to come.

Thank you for your generosity and for being part of our community’s celebration!