For best results please view in landscape mode on a tablet.
Big change for 2026!
This year we will be selecting Carnival Ambassadors to be our stars on Carnival Day. We made the decision to move away from having Princesses and Princes following feedback from both young people and parents. This is a huge change for us having had “Royalty” at Carnivals for over a century.
The Selection Disco will be on 10th May at the Royal British Legion Club from 4.30pm to 6pm. Open to any young person who lives in Leighton Buzzard or Linslade, or attends a school in the town, and is in school years 4,5,6,7 or 8. Entry to the disco and selection is free.
The Ambassadors selected will be on the Carnival float in the procession on 11th July, they will lay wreaths on Remembrance Sunday and will be invited to be part of the stage party at the town Christmas Light switch-on.
This is an opportunity for young people to be part of the longest running community event in our town.
Carnival
The 65th modern Leighton-Linslade Carnival is scheduled to take place on Saturday 11th July 2026, with a theme of “Pick your Own Theme” allowing procession entrants to do whatever they want to with their entry.
Leighton-Linslade Carnival is a local event that has continued to give local residents a fun day out, whilst preserving the tradition of Carnival in our town, and an opportunity to participate in an event that nurtures community involvement.
Carnival’s Picnic in the Park
Carnival’s Picnic in the Park is a great day out full of fun and activities for 0-5 year olds and their families and carers. This is a free event with entertainment on stage, lots of stalls, rides and soft play, craft activities and lots more!
About Us
Leighton-Linslade Carnival is the longest running community event in Leighton Buzzard and Linslade. As a market town, Leighton Buzzard probably always had an annual celebration for the townspeople and Parson’s Close Recreation Ground, the current location for Carnival, is the perfect place for this annual event, with its many council-run facilities in the park itself and with the beautiful 12th century All Saints Church within just two minutes’ walk.
Grant Funding
In October each year we hold a Presentation Evening, where we make a short presentation about our fundraising efforts and then proceed to award funds to the various groups that successfully applied.
All the awards are made from the funds raised through the Carnival events that are held throughout the year; the majority of the monies raised comes from our sponsors, programme advertisers and the bucket collections accompanying the carnival floats.
Support Carnival
Carnival relies on donations, sponsorship and income from advertisers, stallholders and other participants on Carnival Day. After the necessary running expenses the Committee allocates the proceeds from Carnival to local groups and charities.
Please use the QR code here to make a donation towards Carnival, or use the button below – this link allows you to make a contribution using you debit or credit card. Whilst the process asks for your details, none of this information is passed to us by the card processor.
Programme Advertisers
Thank you to all our Carnival programme advertisers that support Leighton-Linslade Carnival.
If you would like to support Carnival and enjoy year round advertising through the printed programme and being on the website here, please do get in touch.
Please click below to view the programme, or to see details of our advertisers to whom we are very grateful for supporting us.
Our Sponsors & Partners
We are extremely grateful to the following organisations and businesses who generously support the work of the Carnival Committee and enable us to bring all Carnival events to the community.
