Carnival of the Baubles returns to Ashford for a day of free festive family fun

Ashford town centre will come alive with music, dancing, lanterns and entertainment when Carnival of the Baubles returns on Saturday 21 November 2026 for a full day of free festive family fun.

This year’s theme, The Day of the Dance, will see the town centre filled with live performances, creative activities, markets and food and drink, before the spectacular illuminated Carnival of the Baubles parade takes to the streets at 5pm.

Leading this year’s parade will be an incredible giant Disco Turtle, accompanied by the colourful lanterns which are at the heart of the annual Carnival of the Baubles celebrations.

Activities on Saturday begin from 10am, with the County Square Bauble Station hosting a United Makers of Kent food and creative market and free children's crafts. Food and drink stalls will be open on Middle Row, while performances will take place throughout the afternoon at the Bandstand and County Square.

Visitors can enjoy performances from Ashford Community Sleigh, Rock Choir, Ashford Theatre Society, Knatchbull School, Confidance, Liv2Dance and TheatreTrain, as well as the chance to meet an elf on the High Street between 3pm and 4pm.

The main event begins at 5pm, when the Carnival of the Baubles parade sets off from Lower High Street and makes its way through the town centre, finishing at Elwick Place at around 6pm.

The celebrations begin ahead of the main Carnival of the Baubles event, with plenty to discover around Ashford town centre. The Lantern Window Trail runs from Thursday 29 October to Monday 16 November, with lanterns displayed at participating locations across the town. 

Families can also take part in a special Elf Trail, searching for hidden letters around the town centre to uncover the secret dance the elves are dancing.

The festivities then continue across Carnival weekend, with festive markets and children’s crafts at the County Square Bauble Station from Friday 20 to Sunday 22 November. Visitors can browse the markets from 9.30am to 5.30pm on Friday, 9.30am to 5pm on Saturday and 10am to 4pm on Sunday. On Sunday, the carnival lanterns will also be on display, giving visitors another opportunity to see them up close. 

Bringing Carnival of the Baubles to life wouldn’t be possible without the support of our Festival & Events sponsors, Ashford Designer Outlet and Hallett & Co Solicitors, and our supporting partners Made in Ashford, Emergency Exit Arts, County Square Shopping Centre, Whitehead Monckton and Kent Community Foundation. A huge thank you to everyone involved in helping make this year’s celebrations possible.

For more information about Carnival of the Baubles, visit loveashford.com