Carnival is back for the fourth year and we cannot wait!
One town. One celebration. One unforgettable day.
Mansfield Carnival returns on Saturday 1 August 2026 with a vibrant day of live music, colourful parades, street entertainment, food, dance and family fun in the heart of Mansfield Town Centre.
The event is free to attend, open to everyone and inspired by the energy and spirit of carnival culture. We are celebrating a huge range of cultures that create our community and spreading local creativity and fun.
Leeming Street
Street Party with dance areas, seating and plenty of carnival energy from the main stage immersing you in our local culture with live performances, DJ and dancers.
Visitors can expect a full day of entertainment woven through the heart of the town centre. Live performances will be kicking off at 12pm with DJ Kilo and then as the parade arrives back at 12.50pm the unforgettable Punjabi Drummers take the floor, followed by local Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Rock Choir and Jude Kirk and the Regeneration, returning MUHA and Dialtones from 2025’s event, and brand new Lux City Choir to close the event at 5pm.
We have 2 face painters on Leeming Street who will be offering free designs to all, and don't forget to look out for Patrick Poppywopple, the giant puppet bird, brought to you by the same people as last years magpies and flamingos, Ayup Puppets and City Arts.
The carnival parade starts at 12pm from the Museum entrance and is the heart of the celebration - bringing the streets to life with performers, costumes, drumming and dance.
Bring your friends, family and carnival spirit to Mansfield’s biggest summer celebration.
Market Place
Mansfield Carnival is even bigger this year, with the brand-new touring ZoneGo joining!
Zest Theatre will be showcasing their brand-new van unit to Mansfield youth and giving them a space, the time and the skills to have a go at new activities, all whilst enjoying the atmosphere of Mansfield Carnival. Zest is an artist-led theatre organisation creating youth-led theatre, youth spaces and public art that make space for young people to be heard.
The Zone joined us in Mansfield about 14 months ago and was a huge success with the local youth who hang out on the Market Place but often have nothing to do to entertain them, they experienced learning how to DJ, do dance routines, play in game competitions, eat pizza and just hang out in a supported and safe space. This version is similar and also focuses on creating a vibrant drop-in youth space for the day- offering games, creative activities and opportunities to connect with the amazing Zest Team.
On the Market Place with them will be an international street food court offering flavours from around the world including British, Nigerian, Caribbean, Italian etc, along with local makers bringing an extra layer of personality to the festivities. Have a stroll around local businesses stands, local artists with unique gifts and charities with fun games for all the family.
Along with live performances, including music, spoken word, poetry, comedy etc.
Key information
- Accessibility- this event is on streets with areas of step free access via drop kerbs, if you cannot locate one, please ask one of our event staff or security and they will assist you. There is an accessible toilet on site and a changing place inside of Mansfield Museum and the Four Seasons Shopping Centre. There is a disabled parking bay on Toothill Lane and accessible bays in Handley Arcade, Toothill Lane long and short stay and Clumber Street car parks.
- Health and Safety- please bring your own water in case of hot weather, we can refill this in the museum for you. Comfy footwear, layers and suncream (and maybe a waterproof, this is England after all) We have a lost child point, so please do go and get a wristband to put your information on. We have first responders and security on site during this event.
- Food vendors/ stalls may accept cash and/ or cards so please have both with you to avoid disappointment.
- Road closures- Leeming Street from 7.30am to 7.30pm and a phased road closure during the parade (this is approx. 10- 15 mins per road, but a majority of the route is pedestrianised on Saturdays anyway and for ones that aren’t we will try to keep traffic moving gradually when safe to do so).
Thank you for your understanding and patience during this time.