Welcome to the St Denys Carnival & Arts Festival website – find everything you need to know about this amazing event.
The Carnival parade is on Saturday 23 May, and the theme for 2026 is ‘Pirates of the River Itchen’.
Continuing with our beloved river theme, we’re expanding this across the week long Arts Festival to celebrate our ‘Community, River and the Sea’, with news to come soon about some wonderful partner organisations we’re hoping to include and support as part of our festivities.
The Arts Festival runs from Friday 22 to Saturday 30 May in St Denys Parish Church and centre.
Check out About for more details of the programme, read the latest news on the blog below or get involved!
Carnival Parade
When: Saturday 23 May
Theme: Pirates of the River Itchen
Join or watch the carnival parade on Saturday 23 May.
Arr me hearties! Whether you take inspiration from Grace O’Malley, Bluebeard, Sinbad or any other maritime vagabond and adventurer, this year’s theme is full of opportunities to dress up, make costumes and get creative.
The route will be confirmed closer to the time, but will start and finish at St Denys Community Centre on Priory Road which will host a craft & makers market, live music and an array of delicious food!
Here’s some inspiration from last year:
Arts Festival
When: Friday 22 to Saturday 30 May
Our Arts Festival is a joyful celebration bringing together talented artists, performers, musicians, and dancers from right here in our community and beyond. Join us for inspiring galleries, creative displays, hands-on workshops, and wonderful performances—with plenty of chances for you to join in and have a go yourself!
If you are an artist who would like to exhibit or be involved, the deadline for applications is 14th February – email us on artists.stdenyscrew@outlook.com for details of how to apply.
Blog
Read our latest news, or head to the full Blog page.
We Are Open for Carnival Trader Bookings
Get your application in soon to avoid disappointment! We are pleased to announce that we are now taking bookings for St Denys Carnival at the St Denys Community Centre on Saturday 23rd May 2026. Opening times are 11:00-15:00. We have spaces suitable for everyone – from small indoor table tops, up to double-sized outdoor plots…
Introducing St Denys Carnival & Arts Festival 2026
St Denys Carnival returns for 2026 as the St Denys Carnival & Arts Festival. As well as the return of the highly successful Carnival, St Denys Crew are delighted to announce the addition of the Arts Festival to the Carnival family, running from 22nd -30th May 2026. The Festival of arts and performance will include…
Autumn & Winter Update
It’s that time of year when the nights seem to start earlier and the residents of St Denys start to consider whether it really is too early to switch the heating on, after all. Time to sit back with a cup of hot tea or – dare we say it – a pumpkin spiced latte…
Thank You St Denys!!!
We would like to thank the following people and organisations without whom we would not have been able to make the 2025 Carnival possible: Production Management Team:Nat-Tania L. Forbes-BuckJames FosterLori FosterGill Lewis-LeeAna MotaAyro Mustafa-HolzapfelHelen Trimarco RansomeChristopher Townsend Music Coordinators (Community Centre, Woodies at the Junction, South Western Arms & The Dolphin):Beck AlsfordPete HarveyLucy Rees-StonerChristopher Townsend…
ST DENYS CARNIVAL & ARTS FESTIVAL 