The eye-catching Swanage Carnival programme is now available in the shops for those who want to know what is happening and when, over the eight days of activities, competitions and music.
The theme for this year’s Swanage Carnival, from Saturday 26th July to Saturday 2nd August 2025, is the circus or Cirque du Swanage as the carnival committee has amusingly decided to call it!
Carnival team get their hands on the first copies hot off the press!
“Spectacular air display”
The vibrant programme cover reflects both the colourful theme and incorporates the star attraction for 2025 – The Red Arrows!
Secretary of Swanage Carnival Kevin Langdon said:
“It’s a major coup for the town to have The Red Arrows performing in the skies above Swanage Bay on the opening day of the carnival – what a way to start!
“But the spectacular air display doesn’t stop there, as we’ve got the Global Stars Air Show on the Saturday afternoon.
“This is a first for Swanage Carnival – a while back we spotted them performing an aerobatic display above Poole Harbour for a private party at Sandbanks – so we asked whether they would put on a show for us and happily they accepted.
“On the first Sunday, it is of course the procession. It will be circus themed this year but it’s always a great show – let’s hope it’s not too much of a juggling act!”
Carnival volunteer Lisa Dando delivers the 2025 programmes to the local retail outlets
Look out for the sign in shop windows
Some intriguing entries
Plenty of the favourites are back like the bingo, Carnival’s Got Talent, the Photo Marathon competition, Scruff’s fun dog show, and the Wheelbarrow Race, along with the amazing firework displays on three separate nights.
There’s a few new intriguing entries in the programme like the Giant Seagulls, Minions Day, and the Steamship Circus.
Plus a full schedule of music throughout the carnival week, with popular performances from Sway Allstars, Swanage Jazz Machine, Pop Up Bowie, Galaxy Thief, The Bournemouth Rat Pack and of course The Reptiles, among others.
The Swanage Carnival programme costs £5 to buy and as well as giving a detailed schedule of all the events, it makes for a great souvenir of the event.
It is also a major way to fundraise for the event, which costs around £230,000 to stage each year.
Pick up something good to read and some chocolate at Jenkins in the High Street – what could be a better combination?!
Putting on quite a show in the Heart of Swanage – WPM Lettings get into the Cirque du Swanage spirit!
Where to buy the programme?
Swanage
- Swanage Station
- Swanage Conservative Club
- Swanage News
- Budgens Swanage
- WPM Lettings
- Morrisons
- Post Office in Institute Road
- Jenkins
- Swanage Information Centre
- Innovations
- Court Hill Wines
- Costcutters Swanage
- Durlston Castle
- Arkwright’s
- Swanage Royal British Legion
- Swanage Bay View Holiday Park
- Swanage Coastal Park
The programme can be bought from Swanage News in Station Road (no not that one, the other one!)
Wider Purbeck area
- Studland Stores
- Tom’s Field Campsite
- St Michael’s Garage
- Foley’s Garage
- Woodyhyde Campsite
- Corfe Castle Stores
- Norden Farm
- Look Out Stoborough
- Purbeck Mobility in Wareham
- Ulwell Holiday Park
The newly redecorated Swanage Information Centre on Shore Road has plenty of copies available
“Putting Swanage on the map”
Kevin added:
“This year, we are really going to be putting Swanage on the map, bringing trade into the town, and providing plenty of free entertainment.
“And the better the events, the more money we will make for charities and local good causes. Last year we raised an amazing £30,900 – it would be great to top that in 2025!”
Further information
- The Swanage Carnival programme, which costs £5, can be purchased from local retail outlets or ordered online
- Download the Swanage Carnival app via an app store. It doesn’t show the schedule in advance of carnival week, but will list events once the carnival is happening
