The carnival returns for its 11th edition this weekend
Families in South East London are in for a day of activities and fun this weekend, as Woolwich Carnival returns for its 2026 instalment. Taking place on Saturday, September 12, the annual celebration returns for its 11th year, and promises a day of dancing, games, music and food – and a parade, of course.
Running from 12:00pm through to 8:00pm, this year’s carnival theme “Our Voices, Our Future” is all about championing the borough’s young residents.
The carnival is organised by TARU Arts alongside local partners and the Royal Borough of Greenwich, and admission is completely free, so anyone can come and enjoy the carnival without pre-booking. The main hub of activity will be split across General Gordon Square, Beresford Square and the Royal Arsenal in Woolwich SE18, so there will be plenty to explore.
The highlight of the day will undoubtedly be the parade, which kicks off at 2:00pm and will follow a brand-new route.
If you want to be part of the procession itself, make your way to the Love Lane entrance at Woolwich Town Centre for 1:30pm to join in. The exact route itself has not yet been published, but it will end at Woolwich Works in the Royal Arsenal.
At the endpoint of the parade in the Woolwich Works Courtyard, the outdoor stage will begin at 3:00pm with a lineup of local musicians, dancers and community performers entertaining until 8pm.
According to the Met Office, the weather in Woolwich will be sunny and dry on Saturday with highs of 23 degrees Celsius, so you won’t need to bring an umbrella to enjoy the outdoor festivities.
There will also be a world food market taking place around General Gordon Square throughout the afternoon and evening, where visitors can grab a bite to eat from a varied selection of food vendors.
Woolwich Carnival is funded by the council as part of the Royal Greenwich Festivals programme, a scheme which aims to “celebrate community resilience, culture, and creative youth empowerment”. The carnival will bring an end to Greenwich Council’s 2026 Summer Lates series, and is set to be the biggest instalment of the event yet.
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