5.30pm: Thornbury Carnival 2025 - Swing In The Park
Mundy Playing Fields
5.30-10pm
Thornbury Carnival will again include two separate events – Thornbury Carnival Presents ‘Swing in the Park’ on the evening of Friday 4th July and Thornbury Carnival ‘The Main Event’ on Saturday 5th July.
Kick off the weekend with fantastic music from the 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s. Panache Steel Band, Grease Singalong with Thornbury Musical Theatre Group, and Thornbury Swing Band.
More information about the event can be found on the Thornbury Carnival website below.
Thornbury Carnival has announced its line-up for the 2025 event, taking place over the weekend of Friday 4th and Saturday 5th July on the Mundy Playing Fields.
It’s 90 years since the first ever Thornbury Carnival which took place in 1935 as part of the official celebrations of King George V’s Silver Jubilee. The event has evolved over the years but the one constant is that it’s always been organised and delivered entirely by volunteers. Liam Williams, Chair of Thornbury Carnival’s current committee, explained the challenges of running an outdoor event in the UK:
“It’s very much like putting on a mini-festival and what people see when they come to the event is really just the tip of the iceberg! We spend the whole year planning to make those two days happen. Everything from booking the acts to writing risk assessments, ordering portaloos to recruiting volunteers to help at the event is all undertaken by our small committee of volunteers. We move heaven and earth to make sure the event happens each year but when the first weekend in July rolls around, we’re in the lap of the gods.
The weather really was against us in 2024, it was quite windy with heavy rain and persistent showers throughout the event, and although people still turned out and supported us, our gate revenue was significantly down on what we anticipated and needed to secure the 2025 event. Last September, we were unsure if we’d be able to continue but thanks to some support from Thornbury Town Council and the Friends of Thornbury Carnival, we were able to go ahead.”
As in recent years, there will be two events over the first weekend in July. Friday’s ‘Swing in the Park’ kicks off the Carnival weekend with some fantastic music from the 1930s, ’40s, ’50s, and ’60s performed by Panache Steel Band and Thornbury Swing Band.
Sing and dance to your favourite Rydell High hits with a Grease Set by DJ KitKat! If you’ve always dreamt of being a Pink Lady or a T-Bird, dress up and release your inner Sandy, Danny, Rizzo, Kenickie, Frenchie or even Patty Simcock! We’ll bring the music and the lights, you bring the energy!
Saturday’s ‘Main Event’ also promises to be a day full of fun and laughter with main stage entertainment from midday until 11pm. The programme starts with an interactive performance by DJ Kool Kids, specifically aimed at the Carnival’s youngest visitors, followed by a local talent show featuring a range of singing and dancing.
Much-loved local bands The Narwhal Monument and Tattsyrup will be taking to the stage, interspersed with several high-energy sets from young up-and-coming DJ KitKat. The headline act this year is Louis & The Love Cats who guarantee to “get you shakin' your keister and groovin' 'till your knees hurt” with their diverse repertoire of rock, pop, and soul classics.
Although the Main Stage is the beating heart of the event, Liam Williams also stated:
“We always get great feedback from the community following each year’s event and we work hard to try and respond to this in our planning for the future. This year we’ve continued the theme of increasing the KidZone offer and have added activities to keep younger children entertained throughout the day.
Activities will run between 11am and 5pm and as has been the case in recent years, most of the entertainment is included in the ticket price, for example, face painting, balloon modelling, puppet shows, mascots, and a wandering magician.”
As in previous years, there will also be a bar and food concessions, stalls selling local products, a Show ‘n’ Shine featuring a range of vehicles, fairground and donkey rides. Further information about both events is available on the Thornbury Carnival website. Early Bird tickets can also be purchased via the website.
Thornbury’s Carnival is a much-loved community event and one of the social highlights of Thornbury’s summer calendar, regularly attracting 4,000-5,000 visitors.
It is held on the first Saturday in July.
Thornbury Carnival is open to everyone, and designed to appeal to all interests and ages.
It provides an opportunity for local charities to raise funds, and for businesses and organisations to promote their interests.
The Carnival is organised and delivered by a small committee of volunteers working on a not-for-profit basis.
Click here to visit www.thornburycarnival.co.uk.
Click here to find the Carnival on facebook.
Click here for the Carnival's Instagram posts.
Click here to see photos of previous Carnivals.
For enquiries, please contact:
Photographs on this page are kindly supplied by RichMcD Photography and Carriad EH Photography.
Thornbury Carnival is organised by the Thornbury Carnival Community Interest Company (C.I.C.), registered at Companies House, Reg. No: 08472025
Thornbury Carnival C.I.C. is an independent, voluntary organisation not associated with any other Club, Association or Local Authority and has 3rd Party Liability Insurance.
If you would like to join the committee in any capacity and help plan the next Thornbury Carnival, please make contact as soon as possible.
There are lots of ways to get involved, many of which do not require Committee work, and can be done in small groups and spread throughout the year.
No experience is necessary, just a friendly approach, resourcefulness and reliability.
Want to know more? Email .
The entrance to the Mundy Playing fields is at the end of The Close, next to Star Legal solicitors on the High Street.
Click here for a zoomable map.
Access via Kington Lane is for stalls /entertainers /attractions only.
