About

Ringwood Carnival – ‘Festival of Fun Supporting the Local Community’

The Ringwood Carnival Society is a registered incorporated charitable organisation (CIO), established to organise and coordinate an annual Carnival for the town of Ringwood. The organisation objective is to raise sufficient funds to enable to host the event either through sponsorship or other fund raising activities. Any surplus income following the event; are then awarded to local charities, schools, organisations or good causes. To find out more about sponsoring Ringwood Carnival (please click here) or our donation process (please click here).

History of the Carnival

Ringwood saw its very first Carnival in 1928! It was originally set up to fund the purchase of a certain field from local man Mr. Carver, as well as to raise monies for the Royal Victoria & West Hants Hospital. Carnivals followed in 1931 and 1934, when the Coldstream Guards marched through the town in full dress uniform.

The first Carnival after the war was in 1950 and has continued every year since with a small interruption during the global pandemic between 202-2021. Today the Carnival is Ringwood’s largest and most important annual community event and has had a variety of differing formats over the decades.

Celebrating the end of Summer!

The Carnival always takes place on the 3^rd Saturday in September. It consists of two processions, an afternoon childrens’ procession and an evening illuminated parade. Both parades feature wonderful community floats designed and built by local groups, clubs, schools, organisations, businesses as well as groups of families and friends. Also included within these parades are fantastic marching bands, steam traction engines, dance groups, feature vehicles and more. Both processions are headed by the wonderful Carnival Royalty, led by the Sampsons Percheron Horses!

As well as the processions; there is live entertainment all across the town throughout the day, as well arts and crafts stalls on The Village Green, huge Fun Fair, Music all day at Greyfriars Community Centre, Carnival ‘Unplugged’ (street busking), Main Arena within the Market Place that all as well as Grande Firework Finale.

The Ringwood Carnival Committee ensures the Carnival runs smoothly every year and consists of only a group of volunteers who give a huge amount of free time – all for the love of their town! If you want to get involved, join this fantastic team or just help out, please click here.

Supporting the local community

The Carnival relies on Sponsorship to make this much loved event happen. Local businesses kindly donate funds, keeping the tradition alive. Many businesses and organisations donate as sponsors year after year to ensure this special event takes place. If it weren’t for these organisations the Carnival could not take place. For more information on how to sponsor, please click here.