Maldon Carnival 2026

Come Along on Saturday, 3rd October 2026!

Support Our 2026 Charities and Join the Fun of Our Illuminated Procession!

Maldon Carnival returns on Saturday 3rd October 2026 with our spectacular Illuminated Carnival Procession!

As dusk falls, Maldon will light up with glowing floats, vibrant costumes and the wonderful community spirit that makes this event so special.

Date
Time
Illuminated procession from
Location
Maldon High Street & surrounding areas

Illuminated Procession Route

The Illuminated Carnival Procession leaves Cross Road at 6:30pm, travelling:

  1. Cross Road — start
  2. Along Fambridge Road
  3. Into Maldon High Street
  4. Down Mill Road
  5. Returning back to Cross Road

This circular route gives spectators plenty of opportunities to enjoy the colour, lights and excitement as the procession passes through the town.

What to Expect

  • Illuminated floatsGlowing with creativity
  • Community groupsShowcasing Maldon’s spirit
  • Vibrant costumesAnd themed entries
  • A magical evening atmosphereFor families and visitors

Join us for one of Maldon’s brightest and most anticipated nights of the year.Bring your family, gather with friends, and enjoy this unforgettable community celebration.

Maldon Carnival 2026
Official Programme

Download Programme (PDF)

Friends & Neighbours Essex

Connecting care homes
and communities

In Maldon, we have strong engagement with 19 care homes. Our initiatives bring residents, care home staff and the local community together through shared experiences and lasting relationships.

Care homes engaged in Maldon
19
Resident participations in 2025
3,482
Planned events in 2025
248
Christmas gifts delivered in Maldon in 2025
Over 800

In 2025, our initiatives enhanced residents’ lives across 248 planned events. The 3,482 total includes residents who took part in more than one activity; it is not a count of unique residents.

Our initiatives

From cake and conversation to adventures beyond the care home, our initiatives create opportunities to connect.

  • Bake Offs

    We organise care homes to host and visit one another for cake-themed entertainment and socialising.

  • Wishing Washing Line

    We advertise residents’ wishes in the Tesco superstore in Maldon. The community then grants as many of these wishes as they can.

  • GrandFriends

    We develop relationships between childminders and care homes, building lasting intergenerational relationships between care home residents and early years children.

  • Fitness

    We gift seated exercise classes to care homes. These help staff learn how to further support residents’ wellness and allow residents to improve strength and dexterity.

  • Walk and Talk

    We arrange transport and venues so residents can go on an adventure. Transport is a real obstacle for care homes, and we overcome that barrier for them.

  • Ice Cream

    During the warmer months, we coordinate visits from ice cream vans for residents to enjoy.

  • Seasonal parties

    We host Easter, Summer, Halloween and Christmas parties. These seasonal celebrations are well loved by everyone.

  • Christmas Gifts

    We display a gift tag for every care home resident in Maldon so Tesco customers can buy a gift. In 2025, for Maldon alone, we delivered over 800 gifts in time for Christmas.

Relationships that make a difference

All of our initiatives reduce the feelings of loneliness and isolation that care home residents may experience. We encourage the local community to be part of residents’ lives and build relationships wherever possible.

We support care home staff with a network of like-minded people to share ideas and concerns with.

We are a needs-led charity which prides itself on acting on the wants and needs of the most precious generation.

Supporting our community

Support Maldon Fire Fighters Charity

Please support Maldon Fire Fighters Charity and help those who dedicate their lives to keeping our community safe.

Every donation makes a meaningful difference to firefighters and their families.

There is still time to be part of this year’s carnival procession, whether as a volunteer or participant. To join the procession, please complete a procession form. If you can help on the day, please contact Keith on 07814 732256 or Christine on 07724 371775.

Carnival Procession

The procession starts at the junction of
Cross Road and Fambridge Road at 6.pm

The procession travels up Fambridge Road, into the High Street.
The Courts Majorettes and Bands will finish in Lower Plume and

The floats will disperse in Cross Road.

Parking is available at Promenade Park, Butt Lane Car Park,

White Horse Lane, or High Street East.

Limited hard parking spaces available in the prom car park.

Council offices have limited parking. 

Latest News & Stories

Discover updates, stories, and behind-the-scenes from Maldon Carnival.