Brighton Festival Children’s Parade celebrates 40 years and announces theme for 2026

Brighton Festival has announced that the theme for the Children’s Parade next May will be Read all about it!

Inspired by 2026 as the National Year of Reading, the theme will explore six genres of Children’s books: Realistic Fiction, Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Traditional Stories, Science Fiction and Graphic Novels & Picture Books. 

Jointly produced with award-winning community arts charity Same Sky, the Children’s Parade officially marks the opening of Brighton Festival, a three-week celebration of arts and culture across Brighton, Hove and East Sussex taking place 2-25 May 2026.

The family-friendly, free event takes place in central Brighton, delighting thousands of participants and spectators, and is the largest parade of its kind in Europe. Hundreds of teachers from participating schools across Brighton & Hove will work with their pupils to create large-scale artworks and costumes to display throughout the Parade’s route and support children to learn through making.

2026 marks the 40th Children’s Parade. It’s been estimated that more than 150,000 people have taken part since the parade began in 1986. This year a dedicated Same Sky artist will work with each participating school, including an in-person visit, giving local children the opportunity to learn from a professional artist. 

Same Sky are also introducing new ways to support teachers, including – in partnership with Create Music – offering samba masterclasses with Percussion expert Ollie Tunmer (former cast member of STOMP), to help teachers incorporate live music into the parade.