Faversham.info

Saturday 17 October 2026, procession from 6.30pm

Faversham Carnival 2026

The town's illuminated evening carnival: the route, the times and how to enter a float.

WhenSat 17 Oct, from 6.30pm
StartsWhitstable Road
EntryFree to watch
Last checked24 September 2026

Saturday 17 October

An evening parade of lit-up floats

Faversham Carnival is an illuminated procession of floats, bands and walking groups through the town after dark. It's run by volunteers at the Faversham Carnival Club, who say it goes back to 1870 and is the only evening carnival in Kent.

This year it's on Saturday 17 October 2026. The procession sets off from Whitstable Road at 6.30pm. Carnival queens from across the county join the parade, along with local groups and marching bands. Last year there were more than 50 entries and seven bands.

The 2026 route

The procession starts from Whitstable Road at 6.30pm and goes along:

East Street, Newton Road, Station Road, Preston Street, Market Street, Market Place, Court Street, Quay Lane, Conduit Street, North Lane, South Road and Stone Street, finishing in Preston Street.

Floats line up at Jubilee Way and Park Road from 4pm. Market Place and Court Street are in the middle of the route, so they are easy places to watch if you want to be near the pubs and restaurants. The route comes through Preston Street twice, early on and again at the end.

Route from the Carnival Club's 2026 page, checked on 24 September 2026.

Roads, trains and parking

Roads on the route close for the parade. Kent Highways and the Carnival Club publish the exact closure times nearer the day. The route runs along Station Road past the railway station, so allow extra time if you're catching a train that evening.

If you're driving in, arrive early and park away from the route. The Central Car Park (ME13 8PW) is close to the town centre.

Fireworks and the fun fair

In recent years a fun fair and fireworks at the Recreation Ground have rounded off carnival night. The Carnival Club hasn't confirmed them on its website for 2026 yet, so check the club's Facebook page nearer the day. We'll update this page when it's confirmed.

Entering a float or group

Entries so far include Miss Faversham and her court, the 17th Tonbridge Scout and Guide Band, Samba Pelo Mar and the Court of Kent Queen and Princesses.

To enter a float, band or walking group, ask for an entry form through the contact form on the Carnival Club website.

Volunteers collect money along the route. The club says it needs around £15,000 a year to put on the carnival and support its carnival court, so the buckets matter.

Make a day of it

Pubs and places to eat on the route

Frequently asked questions

When is Faversham Carnival 2026?

Saturday 17 October 2026. The procession leaves Whitstable Road at 6.30pm.

What is the carnival route?

Whitstable Road, East Street, Newton Road, Station Road, Preston Street, Market Street, Market Place, Court Street, Quay Lane, Conduit Street, North Lane, South Road and Stone Street, finishing in Preston Street.

Where do the floats line up?

At Jubilee Way and Park Road, from 4pm.

Are there fireworks after the carnival?

A fun fair and fireworks at the Recreation Ground have followed the carnival in recent years. The 2026 plans aren't confirmed on the Carnival Club's website yet, so check its Facebook page nearer the day.

Does it cost anything to watch?

No, it's a street parade and you can watch from anywhere on the route. Volunteers collect donations along the way to pay for the event.

Who organises the carnival?

The Faversham Carnival Club, a volunteer group based at the Guildhall in Market Place.

How do I enter a float?

Ask for an entry form through the contact form on the Faversham Carnival Club website.

Also coming up in Faversham

All what's on →
Independent guide

Faversham.info is not the organiser. Details were last checked on 24 September 2026. Check the Faversham Carnival Club website for any late changes.