Everything you need to know about the Stowmarket Carnival 2025 including a flypast and the free events on the Recreation Ground
A traditional procession and a flypast from a Lancaster Bomber will form part of a town’s carnival celebrations this weekend.
The annual Stowmarket Carnival started last night with a trail run and live music.
Here we bring you a guide to what is happening on Saturday and Sunday, including the main carnival procession through the town centre.
Saturday
This theme for the event is ‘colourful carnival’ and floats, vehicles, walkers, dancers and singers will lead the procession through the town centre.
It will set off from the Meadlands at 12.30pm, making its way through the town, eventually arriving at the Recreation Ground at about 2pm.
A fun fair, a range of stalls, food and drink vendors and a bar will be set up at the Recreation Ground from noon.
The carnival celebrations are free to enter and families will be able to watch performances from singers and dancers throughout the day.
These will include the Fox Academy of Dance, Suffolk School of Samba and headliner Chelsea Francis.
Stalls which include a circus skills area and a family friendly SEN safe space and chill out zone, will close at 6pm.
The last performance on Saturday will start at 7.45pm, with the bar closing at 10.30pm.
Sunday
On Sunday, more than 100 cars and other vehicles will join the stalls and fun fair on the Recreation Ground.
Performances will run from 11.30am through to 4.30pm and include the Stowmarket Concert Band and Born Into Rhythm Dance School.
At 2.01pm there will be a flypast by the Battle of Britain’s memorial flight Lancaster Bomber.
However, carnival organisers say the flyover is ‘subject to weather and serviceability’.
The committee has been working hard since September last year 'to make sure that this year’s carnival is better than ever’.
It is run entirely by volunteers, and there will be buckets and QR codes around the Recreation Ground for anyone who wants to donate towards the running of the event.
A full timetable and updates from carnival organisers can be found in the Stowmarket Carnival Facebook group.