The ever-popular West End Carnival is returning to Plymouth’s city centre on Saturday, 26 August 2023. The extremely energetic event always promises free fun for all the family with live music, entertainment and various activities set to take place throughout the day.

If you’re planning to head to West End Carnival this summer, here is all you need to know.

   

When and where

This year’s West End Carnival is set to take place on Saturday 26 August from 11am until 4pm in the streets surrounding Plymouth Market in the city centre.

   

What is happening?

The West End Carnival will be a hive of activity throughout the day with music, circus performers and Ptown Radio broadcasting live in Frankfort Gate. There will also be street entertainment, food and drinks stalls, free family activities and an exciting carnival parade to take part in.

Enjoy musical performances on the main stage at Frankfort Gate, including Manuka! An established acoustic duo offer upbeat covers of pop, reggae and soul classics, at 3pm.

You can also find a whole host of circus acts taking place throughout the day which include a fire performer, a popular Punch n Judy show and an impressive unicycle juggler showing off their skills.

Other roaming acts taking place across the day include stilt walkers, magic shows from renowned magician Robin Fox, pop up busking performances, a production by the Barbican Theatre and a dance exhibition from the Lockley Dance Academy.

Musical performances from Samba Kernow, Caitlin Brawn and the Mayflower Chorus will be taking place throughout the day at Wan Thai and Powerplant Cafe while at Moments Cafe Heyday Events will be busking for Jeremiah's Journey for the duration of the day.

For the thrill seekers there will be three carnival rides located at Frankfort Gate. Kids can enjoy the traditional swing boats funfair ride, the Chair 'o' Plane ride where children can reach for the sky and the High Striker Hammer Challenge.

Attendees will also be able to take part in the West End Carnival Trail. Sponsored by Citybus, those taking part must follow the trail leaflet which will guide them to the whereabouts of ten carnival and circus characters in shop windows around the West End. Find them all to get a sweet treat reward!

There will be a wide variety of stalls for food at Frankfort Gate and outside Plymouth Market on the day with delcious treats avaialble from traders including The Tasty Toastie, Turtle Bay, Surf n Turf Kitchen and many more. 

    

Carnival Parade

This year’s Carnival Parade will once again fill the streets with vibrant colours as it leaves Frankfort Gate at 11am. The parade will travel along New George Street and then back along Cornwall Street before returning to Frankfort Gate by 12pm.

Included in the procession of performers are The Barbican Theatre’s giant Fisherman puppet, Jellyfish, Exim Dance groups, led by Crooked Tempo Samba Band.

  

How to get there

Make your way to Plymouth Market and Frankfort Gate in Plymouth city centre where all the action will be taking place. Check out our how to get here page for more information.

  

Public Toilets

Public toilets and disabled toilets can be located on Armada Way and in Plymouth Market.

  

Parking

The closest car parks to West End Carnival are at Western Approach and Colin Campbell Court. Due to road closures there will be no parking on New George Street to the junction of Raleigh Street, the lower end of Cornwall Street to the junction of Market Way and the entirety of Market Avenue.

  

Road Closures

In order to ensure that the event is a success and is safe a number of road closures will be put in place on Saturday 26 August from 8am until 5pm.

The whole of Market Avenue will be closed, the lower end of New George Street to the junction of Raleigh Street and the lower end of Cornwall Street to the entrance of the City Market Car Park.

There will also be a road closure in place on the junction from Colin Campbell Court and Market Avenue, this means that you can only enter and exit Colin Campbell Court Car Park via Western Approach. Please note this is very narrow and not suitable for large vehicles.

All roads will be open as soon as possible.

  

Information Points

If you are in need of assistance or are looking for information on the day, speak to someone in a hi-vis jacket. 

  

Sustainability

We look forward to welcoming you for the much-anticipated event. If you are coming down, asll we ask is that yopu help us look after the local environment in the following ways:

• Take your litter home and recycle if possible, or use the bins provided in the city centre
• If you can, swap the car for public transport, and make a sustainable trip to the water
• Remember to stay hydrated and make the switch to a reusable bottle, you can save around 150 single-use plastics from use every year, and benefit from a sustainable way to hydrate.

For further information on the event visit the West End Carnival webpage.

Plymouth City Centre Company would like to thank Plymouth Community Homes and Plymouth Market for their support for this event.

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In partnership with GWR, Destination Plymouth’s lead travel partner