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Falmouth Carnival FAQs 2026

Welcome!

Managed and led by the infamous Falmouth Marine Band!

This vibrant Falmouth Carnival kicks off Falmouth Week, promising a day brimming with music, dance, and spectacular entries.

Let’s make some unforgettable memories while supporting local Cornish Charities & Groups by collecting as much money as we can!

Your participation means the world, not just to the Falmouth Carnival, but to our whole Community.
Each and everyone of you who partake makes a difference. We appreciate your time and effort!

Let’s make this years Falmouth Carnival unforgettable!

FAQs Quick Links

Enter The Spirit

We welcome musicians, singers, drummers, bands, sound systems, local groups, dancers and local traders.
Get creative with your costumes, decorations and floats.

Enter a Motorised Float

Register by Saturday 1st August 2026 

ENTER A FLOAT

1. “Whatever Floats Your Boat!” – Float Entries: Unleash your creativity! Design and decorate a float that dazzles the crowd and showcases your unique style. Be part of the parade that lights up our community!

Judging takes place on
Saturday 8th August at the Falmouth Rugby Club between 16:00 – 17:30
with Winners announced on the
Betty Stogs Maid Stage at 17:30

Prize for 1st Place.

Enter the Marching Parade

Register by Friday 7th August 2026 

ENTER MARCHING PARADE

2. “Fill Your Boots!” – The Marching Parade: Rally your friends, family, and neighbours to join in a spectacular show of unity and festivity. Let’s march together and celebrate the spirit of Falmouth!

Judging takes place on
Saturday 8th August at the Falmouth Rugby Club between 16:00 – 17:30
with Winners announced on the
Betty Stogs Maid Stage at 17:30

Prize for 1st Place.

Enter the Town Window Comp

Register by Saturday 1st August 2026 

ENTER WINDOW COMP

3. “No Pane, No Gain!” – The Window Competition: Get inspired and decorate your trade windows to reflect the carnival’s essence. Your artistic flair can make a big splash while making our town look vibrant!

Judging takes place on
Friday 7th August
and winners are announced on
Saturday 8th August.


Prize for 1st Place.

Falmouth Carnival is a celebration, and each entry must contain an element of performance.
This can be through music, singing, dancing or costume presentation.

Any promotional banners should be to highlight your organisation only i.e. your name, website, social media and not a political statement.

 

You can contact us by email if you have any queries about your entry.

info@falmouthcarnival.org.uk

Falmouth Carnival Location

Falmouth Rugby Club, The Falmouth Recreation Ground, Dracaena Ave, Falmouth TR11 2FB.

Registration check-in on Carnival Day (all entries)
12:00 - 17:30

All participants MUST have already pre-registered their entries before Carnival day arrives.

All participants MUST report to the registration tent located on the Rugby field which opens from 12:00 and closes at 17:30 to collect wristbands and collection buckets, along with any Hi-Vis tabards for wheel marshals (where applicable to Floats).

*Wristbands identify participants briefed to our parade controllers on the Falmouth Rugby Club site. 

The Registration & Information Tent acts as a central Hub

Parade Registration

Open 12:00 – 17:30

Parade Information

Open 12:00 – 18:30

On-site Wristbands

All participants leads are asked to report to registration to collect wristbands for their group on arrival.

We ask that partisipants wear the wristbands at all times onsite and during the parade.

On-site
Co-ordination

For all questions onsite visit the registration and information tent for further direction.

Lost & Found

Any lost children or items should be directed to the registration and information tent.

Pre-Carnival Family Fun Day

This year, The Pre-Carnival family fun begins at Falmouth Rugby Club from 12:00 with rides, music, refreshments and hot food available.

At Falmouth Carnival we only have one Queen our very own Betty Stogs Cornwall’s Charity Maid!

This year we are pleased to bring some Pre-Carnival entertainment on the Skinner’s Betty Stogs ‘Maid’ Stage.

The Line-up

14:00 - 14:45
DR POP 'N' THE ROCKER​

15:00 - 15:45
DAN BALL​

16:00 - 16:45
GREENISH DAY​

Arrival of Decorated Floats

Floats can be decorated and constructed at the Falmouth Rugby Club between 12:00 and 17:30 in the scrutineering Float holding area.
Arrive from the roundabout entrance and a marshal will direct you towards the Float holding area, where you and your team can make final preparations and finishing touches. 

Float Entry Key Information

On arrival our site marshals will direct all Floats to the scrutineering Float holding area. Where our friendly scruitineering team will carry out basic safety checks. To speed things up consider the following before arriving on site with your Float entry:

Float Weight

No more than
7.5 tonnes.

Any vehicles that exceed this will not be permitted to take part in the Carnival procession. 
*Unless previously agreed.

 

Float Width

Vehicle maximum width
2.5 metres.

Float Length

Maximum trailer length
12 metres
for 7.5 tonnes.

7 metres for vehicles under
3.5 tonnes.

Float Height

Vehicle maximum height
4.3 metres.

This is to clear the bridge at the end of the parade on Bar Road.

Float Safety Rails

Any floats with passengers riding on board should have safety rails and secure seating for any seated passengers.

Wheel Marshals

We ask that you have a minimum of two wheel marshals wearing Hi-Visability tabards walking either side of the front wheels of each vehicle during the parade.

You will have named these individuals on completing your float documentation having entered and registered online.

Wheel Marshals will be briefed by our scruitineering team.

Hi-Vis Tabards

Preferably we would like you to provide your own Hi-Visability tabards for wheel marshals. However we can lend you some subject to availability at the Registration tent. These should be returned at the end of the parade at the Killigrew Monument disembarkation (3).

Risk Assessment

Float entries are required to carryout their own risk assessments in respect of any injury arising or damaged caused to third parties, person or property in relation to the parade.

Our onsite Float safety scrutineers will carry out separate checks of their own on the day of the Carnival.

* All Floats must arrived on-site no later than 16:30 *

Here are some things you should consider as a checklist for any Float entries:

Any truck or vehicle in the parade must:
  • Have a certificate of Insurance or suitable indemnity must be in force covering the use of the vehicle and float in the carnival at time of use. The vehicle must be taxed and MOT’d and the driver must have a valid driving licence.
  • The vehicle must be in good working order and roadworthy.
  • Have a valid vehicle excise license (taxed).
  • Have tires in good condition.
  • Have tested and working brakes.
  • Have functioning turning indicators and lights.
  • Hold a current driver’s license appropriate for the vehicle being driven.
  • Be appropriately insured for the vehicle being driven.
  • Drive the vehicle very slowly, with a maximum speed of 5 MPH during the carnival.
  • Avoid quick starts or stops that could cause the unit to jerk.
  • Maintain a 10m distance from all proceeding groups ahead of them, observing safe breaking distances.
  • Have named assistants (a minimum of two wheel marshals) to help monitor the public stepping into their path.
  • Not be under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
  • Remain with the vehicle at all times, including when it is stationary and in position during the carnival parade.
  • Be fully aware of the vehicle’s controls and instruments.
  • Follow the instructions of all event staff and/or emergency services on the day.
  • Ensure that anyone under 18 years of age is accompanied by an adult responsible for their safety and well-being on the float.
  • Maintain a secure position; the safest position is sitting, which provides more stability if the truck halts suddenly.
  • Ensure that anyone standing on the float is secure, using a handrail or an appropriate harness.
  • Stand in the middle of the float, not on the edge where they could fall off.
  • Wear clothing appropriate for the weather, keeping warm and being prepared for rain.
  • Have enough water or refreshments to last through the entire parade.
  • Not distribute gifts or advertising from or near the float, as this could lead to crowds stepping into the path of moving vehicles.
  • Comply with noise levels deemed appropriate by production staff and/or the event management team and safety advisors if playing music on floats.
  • Only leave the float when it is safe to do so; NO ONE is allowed to leave a float while it is moving.
  • Not consume any alcohol or drugs at any point before or during the carnival parade.
  • Be wearing appropriate footwear to disembark and walk on hard surfaces at the end of the parade.
  • At no time must any flour or other missiles be thrown from the float. If this is observed from any float, the said float will be immediately be expelled from the procession at the next suitable exit on the route.
Ensure your float is appropriately decorated, and that the decorations are safe and secure:
 
  • Decorations must be firmly fixed to the float to prevent slipping, moving, or falling during the event.
  • Nothing may protrude from the sides of the float.
  • Decorations will be exposed to the weather and must remain in place if wet.
  • Decorations should be fireproofed (using flambar or another fireproofing liquid).
  • Appropriate fire extinguishers should be available on the float to tackle any potential fires.
  • The dimensions of the structure must not exceed the lowest height (4.3m) or narrowest width restrictions (2.5m) on the parade route.
To ensure safety, all electrical appliances must be in safe working condition:
 
  • Electrical appliances must have been tested and deemed safe and securely attached to the float.
To ensure safety, all electrical appliances must be in safe working condition:
 
  • Electrical appliances must have been tested and deemed safe and securely attached to the float.
Please hand in all collection buckets 10m before the finish flags opposite Fives Cyderhouse at the Windjammer Bar & Cafe entrance on Grove Place (2)
Ensure all music is shutdown once past the finish flags at Grove Place Toilets.
Important :
 
  • Please make all Float riders aware that they will be asked to disembark at the end of the parade at Grove Place at the Killigrew Monument. It is your entries responsibility to organise and plan how those riding floats make their way safely from the end of parde on foot. It is a 25min walk via Avenue Road, Melvil road and Western Terrace back to Falmouth Rugby Club. Ensure that anyone under 18 is accompanied by an adult at all times.
  • If your vehicle has the ability to safely seatbelt additional passengers within your cab or inside a vehicle, they can join you inside your vehicle providing it doesn’t exceed the permitted passengers appropriate for your vehicle under UK law.
Please return and handover any Hi-Visability tabards at the disembarkation location at the Killigrew Monument (3) on Grove Place.
Once your Float has finished the parade at the finish flags and ensured your music and act has stopped and disembarked at the Killigrew Monument (3), you will be asked to follow a safety vehicle on Marine Crescent/Bar Road back to the Falmouth Rugby Club. This applies to all decorated floats unless you have been presented a GREEN window display which allows your vehicle to exit at Avenue Road. All decorated Floats will then be escorted back to Falmouth Rugby Club. It is then the drivers responsibility to safely disperse and make safe their floats to renter any public highways.

Following a change of the law in 2024 all drivers of vehicles over 3600 Kg must have a Driver certificate of professional competence (CPC) and must have a driver qualification card. Sometimes referred to as a national driver qualification card. Should you need any further information on this please do not hesitate to contact the event coordinators.

It is the responsibility of all owners of participating motor vehicles to notify their insurers with their intended use and ensure that all vehicles are street legal.

* STRICTLY NO ALCOHOL *

Strictly NO ALCOHOL is to be consumed prior to or during the procession by Drivers, Wheel Marshals escorting or Passengers riding a float.

* NO ON-SITE PARKING! at Falmouth Rugby Club *

Due to the nature of organising the logistics of Floats on site their will be NO PARKING at the Falmouth Rugby Club on Carnival Day.
Participants can be dropped off at the roundabout entrance and only staff, vendors, carnival volunteers and pre-arranged blue badge holders participating in the parade will be permitted to park onsite. ONLY FLOATS and parade vehicles will be allowed to be parked on-site.

Please make arrangements to arrive with your entrants safely at the Falmouth Rugby Club grounds by planning your arrival and parking needs in advance to avoid disappointment and distress on the day.

Key Timings On-site

Refer to Falmouth Rugby Club Site Map for locations A and B.

Judging

16:00-17:30

Our Carnival VIPs will roam the grounds judging floats and marching entrants between 16:00-17:30 

Keep your marching groups together and ensureyour floats are ready for the spotlight as the winner is announced on the Betty Stogs ‘Maid’ Stage at 17:30.

Registration Closes

17:30
Registration Closes.

Marching Entrants

17:45 – 18:15
Gather at location A and await instruction from Parde Control.

Float Entrants

17:45 – 18:15
Follow the parade controller clockwise from Position B to Position C on the hard surface when instructed by Parade Control.

Environmental Guidance

Falmouth Carnival seeks to be as sustainable as possible.

We work in line with Guidance from Falmouth Town Council and ask our entrants to comply with the following:

  1. The release of Balloons are NOT permitted at Falmouth Carnival. This is because they cause significant harm to Marine life. If using balloons as part of your display please dispose responsibly after the Falmouth Carnival.
  2. Single use plastic is prohibited (where relevant) i.e. plastic bags, drinks bottles, plastic cutlery, single use food containers and plastic cups. although we would prefer to consider other sustainable materials if possible.
  3. Entrants are discouraged from giving out stickers.
  4. Entrants are required to take responsibility of their own waste generated by their entry and recycle where possible.
  5. Entrants are encouraged to bring refillable bottles or containers to keep hyrdrated. there is a tap on the side of the Falmouth Rugby Clubhouse shown on the site map and an opportunity to hydrate opposite the Prince of Wales Pier
  6. Entrants are advised to be responsible for their rubbish and ensure they place in appropriate bins or take it home.
  7. Please consider how you get to the Falmouth Carnival – taking public transport, car sharing, walking or cycling if you can. Note Car Parks in the town will be limited during the time of the procession parade 18:00 – 20:00.

Collection Buckets

All funds collected are under license. All money raised during the parade goes directly back to local Cornish charities and Cornish groups under ballot. None of the money collected goes to Nationals. To be eligible for the ballot you must have been nominated by someone who has registered to take part in the Falmouth Carnival Parade or your Cornish Charity or Group is taking part in the parade itself.

Under no circumstances can entrants collect for their own charity or causes.

Collection Buckets

You can receive your collection buckets at the registration tent.

If you require more buckets than you were initially given then please do visit the friendly team at registration who will  happily assist you with more.

Be an Ambassador

Smile, engage with the crowd, and collect donations with your yellow collection buckets!

Don’t be aggressive or shake buckets in peoples faces. 

Community Impact

All funds raised during the parade go directly back to local Cornish charities and groups under ballot. Remember, you can’t keep any of the money raised or collected on the parade.

Returning Buckets

Return your collected funds at the bucket collection point 10 meters before the finish flags on Grove Place opposite the Fives Cyderhouse at the Windjammer Bar & Cafe entrance (2).

To be considered for the collection handout under ballot in January 2027 you must have partaken in the parade or been nominated by Carnival entrants on their registration forms.

Falmouth Carnival Parade Route

The Parade officially begins at 18:30pm on Saturday 8th August, departing from Falmouth Recreation Ground (Falmouth Rugby Club).

Carnival Parade Route

All Marching Entrants along with Motorised Floats will leave Falmouth Rugby Club at 18:30
expect the parade to last 1-2 hours for participants.

Falmouth Rugby Club 18:30
Killigrew Street
The Moor
Webber Street
Market Strand,
Market Street
Church Street
Arewenack Street
Finish at Grove Place Toilets

Important Finish Information for Entries
END OF PARADE

Collection Buckets

All collection buckets will be collected at the end of the Carnival Route on Grove Place 10 meters from the FINISH opposite FIVEs Cyderhouse at the Windjammer Cafe & Bar entrance.

Finish Flags

All Marching Parade Entrants on FOOT will take a LEFT at the finish flags at GROVE PLACE TOILETS to the safe haven of Events Square.

All Decorated FLOATS will CONTINUE FORWARDS at the finish flags towards Bar Road.

Float
Disembarkation

All RIDERS on Decorated FLOATS will disembark and GET OFF FLOATS at the KILLIGREW MONUMENT on Grove Place.

Please return any borrowed HI VIS TABBARDS here.

Decorated Floats
Escorted

For participants safety all Decorated Floats must return to the Recreation Ground (Falmouth rugby Club) to disassemble safely by traveling down Bar road / Marine Crescent, turning right at the Falmouth Hotel and following Melville Road towards the Falmouth Rugby Club. 

It is the responsibility of all entrants to find a suitable and safe route home following the end of the Carnival. It it is a 25 min walk back to Falmouth Rugby Club following Avenue Road, Melvil road and Western Terrace. All under 18s must be accompanied by a responsible Adult.