•• Dumfries Carnival ••

Carnival is coming back

Dumfries Carnival is back and runs on Saturday 17th January 2026 at 5pm through Dumfries town centre.

We are now looking for schools throughout Dumfries & Galloway to take part in the project:

Max class size of 30.
Preferably P5, P6 or P7.
Can be whole school if it is a rural school.
Have a school hall or a big class room for rehearsals.
All costumes provided free of charge pupils should wear black and cold weather clothing.
Participation is free.
We will schedule 1 full day days of workshop in November between 4th and 14th November 2025.
We will schedule a 2 hour follow up session between the 13th and 16th January 2026.
Pupils need to be at our Hub (usually Dumfries Academy) for 2.30pm on Carnival Day (Carnival starts at 5pm)
Parents need to collect pupils from our Hub.
At least one teacher needs to be present on the day.

If you have any questions about the project, please email graham@bigburnssupper.com

How does Carnival support CforE?

Discover how the project meets the Curriculum for Excellence Learning Outcomes here.

Register your school here

Have a look at our previous Carnivals.

2014 – Homecoming

We imagined what the world would have felt like 100 years ago,when young men were leaving for War.

Executive Producer: Graham Main | Carnival Producer: Jordan Chisholm | Lead Artist: Caitriona McGowan

2015 – Under the Sea

A little girl falls down the toilet and uncovers a magical world where sea creatures are in charge. Featuring a community cast of 2,000 people.

Executive Producer: Graham Main | Carnival Producer: Jack Finlay | Lead Artist: Ryan Smith

2016 – A World of Music

From Rock and Roll organs played by Meerkats to Ice Sprites playing Musical Statues, we created a magical fantasy world that included 2,500 participants and ended with a magical firework display.

Executive Producer: Graham Main | Carnival Producer: Cara McNaught Lead Artist: Ryan Smith