What's it all about

Wells-next-the-Sea in the heart of North Norfolk enjoys a traditional summer Carnival for residents and visitors. A week of family fun and events including a Carnival Day procession around the town featuring floats, fancy-dress, pull-and push-along vehicles and much more. Traditional seaside activities include a sand-castle competition, town crier competition, gillying on the quay and the crowning of the Carnival Royals.

A bit of history..

Wells Carnival Ltd is a not-for-profit organisation run by a team of hardworking volunteers who live in or near the town of Wells-next-the-Sea on the beautiful North Norfolk coast. The event has been taking place annually at the beginning of August for over 50 years. In fact we are reliably informed that the Carnival, but admittedly not as we know it, since it was only one day or weekend, started in the 1890's. Over the years the event has grown and the carnival committee ‘Crew’ (they wear the fuchsia pink T.shirts) now organise more than 80 events over the 10 days of Carnival.

We endeavour to provide entertainment for all ages from teddy bears picnics for the little ones, costume making workshops, raft race, history walks plus live music over 6 nights and the ever popular Screen on the Green. The event culminates on the 2nd Saturday with the main Carnival event, including fancy dress competitions, a parade around the town and a spectacular music event in the evening.

Carnival 2012

Official dates are Saturday 28th July until Sunday 5th August 2012. There is also an event on the Friday evening to 'kick start' the week - click here for the latest programme information

Carnival 2012 begins in :-

Days
Hours
Mins
Secs

Future dates

Subject to circumstances beyond our control Wells Carnival will take place:
2013 DATES: Saturday 27th July to Sunday 4th August incl.
2014 DATES: Saturday 2nd August to Sunday 10th August incl.

Programme

A full programme of events is available to view approx 4 weeks prior to the Carnival Week – but it is worth checking regularly as information is added on a weekly basis, as and when events are confirmed

During the parade, on Carnival Day itself, there is a bucket collection (authorised buckets are clearly marked). This money is divided among local charities and organisations at our AGM held in October.

Dressing up is 100% encouraged – in fact the more outrageous and flamboyant the better. We have themes running throughout the week so check the programme of events for more information.

Carnival 2011

Photos

Wells Carnival photos are taken by our lovely resident photographer Cy – you can’t miss him – he is the ‘Yeti with a camera’ (his words not ours), ‘but fret ye not,’ he doesn’t bite!!! Cy attends just about all our events, snapping away. He then pops home, loads all the photos on the website and sends the information to our local chemist (David Jagger Ltd). These photos can then be purchased by calling into the chemist or can be ordered by post through Cy’s website. To view photos and further information on ordering click here:
www.cycoze.com/wellscarnival.html

Funding

The majority of events throughout the 10 days are either free or of minimal charge to offset some of the costs.

The ‘Crew’ relies on sponsorship, advertising and bucket collections throughout the week to cover the cost of putting on all the events – so if you come along to join in the fun please make sure you put a few quid in the collection buckets. If you can’t find a bucket you can always leave a donation at the Wells Carnival merchandise tent. or you can donate using your credit or Debit card securely using the Paypal Payments gateway.

Sponsor a Wells Carnival Crab
Minimum of £5.00 per crab - sponsorship can be made by clicking on the donate button on the right hand side. All money raised will go towards Wells Carnival costs. A list of 'crab' sponsors will be on display during Wells Carnival week - help us fill our net with Crabs!!!!

Alternatively, you can send us a cheque made out to: Wells Carnival Ltd. and send c/o 46 Waveney Close, Wells-next-the-Sea, Norfolk, NR23 1HT

Sandcastle competition

Some of the Crew taking a well deserved break during the Sandcastle Competition.

ChristmasTide

In 2009 the Carnival ‘Crew’ took over the running of the annual Wells Christmas Tide. This stunning weekend event takes place at the beginning of December and fits in with the tides. Father Christmas travels from the North Pole by boat and is welcomed to Wells Harbour by an illuminated lantern procession and firework display. Visit our website for more information and photographs from last years event.