Thornbury Carnival due to return this summer with change

The much-loved Thornbury Carnival is due to return this year taking place on Friday, July 5 and Saturday, July 6. 

The event will include Swing in the Park on the Friday evening with acts including Maximum Robbie who will be performing many of Robbie Williams’ hits plus Thornbury Swing Band.

Weather permitting, it is hoped there will also be hot air balloon ascent on Friday evening. 

Meanwhile, the main event on Saturday will include a variety show, battle of the bands as well as a DJ set and a performance by a local disco group 

Saturday will also include tribute acts such as Christy Bullen performing hits by Ed Sheeran and Fore Fighters performing hits by rock legends the Foo Fighters.

As well as the on-stage entertainment, the Saturday event will include a Show‘n’Shine featuring a range of vintage and sports vehicles, stalls, a fully licensed bar, and local food concessions. 

Organisers say its volunteer committee has been meeting regularly over the last few months, 
planning for this year’s event.

They say the festival will not provide tables and chairs in front of the main stage this year, as it has in previous years.

Liam Williams, chair of Thornbury Carnival Committee, and the Community Interest Company that runs the event, say they have kept ticket prices down.

He said: “2023 was hugely successful on many levels, including being the first time in several years the event returned a small financial surplus. 

“In the last few years, we’ve had to draw on the contingency fund provided by Friends of Thornbury Carnival (an arms length organisation set up by local businesses to provide a reserve fund) to keep us going. 

Pictures of Thornbury Carnival 2023 by Carriad E-H Photography and George (Image: Carriad E-H Photography and George)

READ MORE: 45 brilliant pictures of Thornbury Carnival 2023

“As we do every year, we have reviewed our 2023 expenditure with the aim of keeping our costs as tight as possible while balancing the desire to ensure a positive experience for our attendees. 

“We’re really mindful that the ongoing cost of living crisis has been placing family budgets under significant pressure and so we’ve made a couple of decisions we think will help. 

“One of the changes is that, in line with most other community events, we have decided not to provide tables and chairs in front of the main stage this year. 

“This has cost nearly £2,000 in previous years and while we know they have been welcomed, we anticipate that people would prefer we kept ticket prices down and brought their own camping chairs or picnic blankets. 

“By reducing some of our costs, making some changes to the overall event, and seeking to build on the success of last year’s Friday event, we are holding ticket prices at the same level as 2023. 

“Critically, in response to feedback from people who attended last year, we are absorbing the pre-sales online ticket fee, making tickets this year even better value!”

He added: “We’ve also improved our children’s entertainment offer this year and are delighted we’ll be having a big top with circus skills alongside the other family favourites like face painting included within the ticket price!” 

For more information and tickets see here - www.thornburycarnival.co.uk

Elly McDonald, director of Northavon Academy of Performing Arts, is continuing in her role as the event’s community acts co-ordinator and is currently recruiting local talent to take part. 

She said: “There will be live entertainment on stage throughout the day starting at midday with a Variety Show and a Battle of the Bands finale. 

“We’re searching for talented local acts so whether you’re a solo act, a duo, a band, or a whole gang of performers, if you’re singers, dancers, actors, magicians, poets, comedians, gymnasts, or DJs we want to hear from you!”