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 river’.
The Arts Festival runs from Saturday 23rd to Friday 29th May in St Denys Parish Church and centre with a photography and local arts show.
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 11:00 – 15:00 (parade runs 11:30-12:30)
Theme: Pirates of the River Itchen
Join or watch the carnival parade on Saturday 23 May.
Arr me hearties! This year’s theme ‘Pirates of the River Itchen’ is full of opportunities to dress up, make costumes and get creative.
The route will start and finish at St Denys Community Centre on Priory Road which will also host a craft & makers market, live music and an array of delicious food!
Could you be St Denys’ answer to Mary Berry or Paul Hollywood? Why not enter the 2026 St Denys Cake-Off, with the chance to win a prize! We have added an under-16s category this year, to help encourage the next generation of elite bakers.
We are also really keen for local residents to decorate their homes and front gardens with bunting or pirate-themed window displays.
Here’s some inspiration from last year:
Arts Festival
When: Saturday 23rd to Friday 29th May
Our Arts Festival is a joyful celebration bringing together talented artists and photographers 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.
Thank You Again, St Denys!!!
We would like to thank the following people and organisations without whom we would not have been able to make the 2026 Carnival possible: Production Management Team:Sonia CottrellMandy BoughtonNat-Tania L. Forbes-BuckJames FosterCllr Lori FosterGill Lewis-LeeAna MotaAyro Mustafa-HolzapfelHelen Trimarco Ransome Music Coordinators (Community Centre, Woodies at the Junction, South Western Arms, St Denys Social Club &…
Let’s Face the Music and Dance!
As well as the Community Centre, there will be lots more music and activities happening across St Denys on the 23rd. Current listings are as follows: ⭐️St Denys Community Centre, Priory Road⭐️11:00 Jenni Casey11:30 Tuneless Choir – Solent12:45 Black Kat Boppers13:45 Southampton Ukulele Jam14:30 Angling for Farthings Free workshops & demonstrations:11:00 – 13:00 Acroyoga in…
Acts of Kindness – at St Denys Carnival
Join us for a family-friendly drop-in session with John Hansard Gallery on 23 May, 1–3 pm, indoors at St Denys Community Centre. Add your Acts of Kindness to our growing expression of shared ideas and words. Your artistic work could be displayed at the gallery’s Community Takeover Exhibition, featured in an installation devised by book…
Online Trade Stall Bookings Now Closed
Online Booking is now closed for stalls at the St Denys Community Centre for St Denys Carnival on Saturday 23rd May 2026. Last-minute cancellations: If you select options marked as ‘Sold Out’ on the form then you will be added to our waiting list for last-minute cancellations. Should you accept, your full pitch fee will…
ST DENYS CARNIVAL & ARTS FESTIVAL 