A community event

Leighton-Linslade Carnival is organised by the community, for the community.

Behind the scenes, a team of volunteers works throughout the year to plan and deliver the event. This includes organising the procession, liaising with participants and authorities, arranging the event site, promoting Carnival, managing volunteers and ensuring that the necessary safety arrangements are in place.

The event could not happen without the contribution of volunteers.

Whether someone gives months of their time to the organising committee, helps on Carnival Day, enters the procession or simply encourages a friend or organisation to take part, every contribution helps keep the tradition alive.

Free to enjoy

The Carnival is intended to remain a free community event, so that as many people as possible can participate and enjoy it.

We believe that community celebrations should be accessible to everyone and that nobody should be excluded simply because they cannot afford to attend.

The Carnival’s future depends upon the support of volunteers, participants, community organisations and local supporters who share that belief.

Keeping the tradition alive

Leighton-Linslade Carnival has evolved considerably over the years, but its central purpose has remained remarkably consistent: bringing people together.

From the early Carnivals of the twentieth century, through the revival of Carnival in 1962, generations of local people have given their time, imagination and enthusiasm to keep the tradition alive.

Today’s Carnival builds on that heritage while reflecting the community of the 2020s.

It is inclusive, community-led, participatory and forward-looking.

Our ambition is to ensure that future generations will have the same opportunity to look back and say:

“I was part of the Carnival.”

A tradition built by the community.

A celebration shared by everyone.

A Carnival for today – and for generations to come.

From Carnival Queens to Ambassadors –

a tradition that continues to evolve

For generations, the Carnival Queen has been one of the most recognisable traditions of Leighton Buzzard Carnival. Queens and their attendants played an important part in the Carnival story, representing the event at the procession, community occasions and local celebrations.

The tradition has changed over time, reflecting changes in society and in the way people participate in community life, with Carnival Queens evolving into Carnival Courts. Today, Leighton-Linslade Carnival is looking towards the future with a new approach: Carnival Ambassadors.

The change is not about leaving the past behind. It is about building on a much-loved tradition and adapting it so that it remains relevant, inclusive and meaningful in the 2020s and beyond.

A changing community

The Carnival Court tradition stretches back many decades.

In earlier generations, being selected as Carnival Queen, Princess or Prince was a very special honour. The Carnival Court was an important part of the Carnival procession and often appeared at community events throughout the year.

As Leighton-Linslade has grown and changed, so have expectations of community events.

The traditional Court model reflected the society of its time. Today, we want the Carnival to provide opportunities for a much wider range of people to become involved, while retaining the sense of pride and celebration associated with the Court tradition.

The Carnival Ambassadors are a modern development of the traditional Carnival Court role.

A tradition for a new generation

Every generation leaves its mark on Carnival.

The people who organised the early Carnivals could not have imagined the Carnival of today. The volunteers who revived Carnival in 1962 could not have known how many generations would follow them.

Yet the fundamental idea has remained remarkably consistent:

bring people together, celebrate our community and give people the opportunity to take part.

The introduction of Carnival Ambassadors is the next chapter in that story.

From Queens of the past,

to Ambassadors of today,

the tradition continues.

Stalls at Leighton-Linslade Carnival

Discover, Shop, Support & Get Involved

Our Carnival Stalls create a lively meeting place where local organisations, charities, businesses, makers and community groups can meet the public and showcase what they do.

Whether you’re looking for something unique to buy, discovering a local organisation, finding a new group to join or simply enjoying the atmosphere, there’s always something to discover.

Something for Everyone

Carnival provides an excellent opportunity to discover organisations and businesses on your doorstep.

By visiting a stall, buying a locally made product, entering a competition, joining a community group or simply stopping for a chat, you’re helping strengthen the connections that make Leighton-Linslade such a great place to live.

For charities and voluntary organisations, Carnival also provides an opportunity to raise awareness, recruit volunteers and raise valuable funds for their work.

Supporting Good Causes

Many of the organisations taking part in Carnival are working throughout the year to support people in our local community.

Carnival gives them a chance to tell their story, meet new supporters and demonstrate the difference they make.

So, when you visit the stalls, you’re not just browsing – you could be helping a local good cause.

Want a Stall at Carnival?

Would you like to promote your business, organisation, charity, club or community group?

We’d love to hear from you.

Carnival welcomes applications from a broad range of stallholders who can add interest and variety to the event.

Whether you’re an established local business, a community organisation, a charity, a voluntary group or an independent maker, Carnival provides an opportunity to put your organisation in front of thousands of local people. Standard pitch sizes are 4m frontage by 4m depth, and can be booked in multiples of 4m. We are unable to provide tables and chairs and we would advise you to bring a gazebo or similar.

If you are a registered charity or a not-for-profit group, and will be fundraising, you should apply for a Charity Stall, if not fundraising apply for Public Relations Stall. Commercial traders should apply for a Commercial Stall whilst small run-from-home businesses that are not a primary source of income should apply for Cottage Industry Stall. Food vendors should contact us at info@leightoncarnival.co.uk to confirm availability of pitches and cost (commercial stall fees do not apply).

A Community Marketplace

We aim to create a friendly, varied and welcoming stall area that complements the Carnival procession and provides something for visitors of all ages.

Stallholders are an important part of the event because they help turn Carnival from a procession into a full community experience.

We particularly welcome organisations that provide something interesting, useful, creative or beneficial to the local community.

Enter the Leighton-Linslade Carnival Procession

Be part of the celebration!

The Carnival Procession is the heart of Leighton-Linslade Carnival – and we want you to be part of it!

Every year, the streets come alive as local people, schools, charities, community groups, clubs, businesses, families and organisations come together to create a colourful and spectacular celebration for everyone to enjoy.

You don’t have to be an expert. You don’t need a huge budget. And you don’t need a float.

All you need is an idea and the enthusiasm to take part.

Create. Participate. Celebrate.

The Carnival Procession is your chance to be part of the celebration. Bring your ideas to life, get creative and enjoy making something together with friends, family, colleagues or your community group. You don’t need a float, a big budget or any special experience — just an idea and the enthusiasm to take part.

A Carnival for all generations

The Procession is open to everyone — from schools and children’s organisations to community groups, charities, clubs, businesses, families and individuals. Whether you’re walking, cycling, decorating a vehicle or creating something completely original, there’s a place for you in the Carnival.

It’s not just about winning

There are prizes and rosettes to be won, but the Procession is about much more than competition. It’s about bringing people together, celebrating local creativity and giving everyone the chance to be part of a tradition that belongs to the whole community. Every entrant helps make the Carnival special.

Ready to enter the Procession?

If you have an idea, don’t wait until everything is organised before contacting us.

Our Carnival team can provide information about the procession, entry requirements, categories, safety arrangements and anything else you need to know.

Bring your idea. Bring your imagination. Bring your friends.

And help us fill the streets of Leighton-Linslade with colour, creativity and community spirit.

Prizes and recognition

£50 prize for the winner of each section, together with a shield to hold for a year and a mini shield to keep. Mini shields are also awarded to second and third place in the Schools & Children’s section.

Rosettes are awarded to the first three entrants in each section.

Every entrant receives a certificate of participation.

Walking groups can choose to start at: 

Tiddenfoot – approximately 3 miles or Bridge Street – approximately 2 miles

Each procession entrant can book a 4m stall pitch free of charge.

The procession route will be detailed on the Carnival website, but may be varied due to weather conditions, road works or advice from emergency services. We will endeavour to make changes available on the website, but short notice changes may not be displayed.

You can source your own vehicle, or contact S&J Pierce on LB 850009 to see how they can help you – S&J Pierce do not charge any fee for providing the vehicle and driver (we do not book vehicles for you).

The Carnival procession needs you!

**Don’t just watch the Carnival. Be part of it.**

Carnival isn’t just one day a year.

It’s about what happens when a community comes together.