Date: Saturday 23rd May 2026

Theme: Pirates of the River Itchen

Event Opening Hours & Venues:

Daytime: 11:00 – 15:00 at St Denys Community Centre, New Testament Church of God (NTCG), St Denys Social Club and St Denys Church 11:00-18:00, plus Woodies at the Junction from 12:00.

Parade Timings: 11:30 to approximately 12:30

Mid-Afternoon & Evening: 14:00 – 17:00 live music at The South Western Arms. 15:00-late live music at Woodies at the Junction, 15:00-18:00 Open Mic at The Dolphin followed by Soul Shoes DJ set, plus St Denys Social Club reopens for more live music with Backbeat Solo from 20:00.

Parade Route:

Start and Finish are both at the Community Centre, with the parade travelling from the Community Centre along Priory Road, past the NTCG. It continues under the railway bridge until the junction of North Road, then along North Road to Dundee Road. The parade travels up Dundee Road to St Denys Church for the turnaround and a bit of entertainment.

The parade will then travel back along Dundee Road and North Road back to Priory Road. Heading down to South Road, then along to Adelaide Road, where it will travel past the South Western Arms and Woodies at the Junction, finishing at the Community Centre on Priory Road.

Rolling road closures will be in place for safety, with traffic management vehicles travelling with the parade. Motorists should expect delays of up to 20 minutes as the parade passes so please plan accordingly.

Get creative and make a pirate costume to join your fellow Pirates of the River Itchen as they parade around St Denys on foot, pram or barrow. Be inspired by pirates and corsairs, real and imaginary – like Grace O’Malley, Captain Jack Sparrow or Blackbeard. Arr, ye’ll need to look shipshape me hearties! Entry to the parade is free, however we request that you register in advance as it helps us to plan more effectively.

St Denys Carnival is more than a fancy dress parade. At the Community Centre, there will be street food, a craft and makers market, live music, the famous Cake-Off competition, an art workshop with Southampton’s legendary John Hansard Gallery and more.

The whole neighbourhood will be celebrating, with live music and entertainment at our local pubs and other community venues, and our residents getting very creative with house and garden decorations too.