By Helen ffitch
Topping off Swanage Carnival’s wonderful eight days of events, competitions, live music, and crazy fun, was the third and final firework display, illuminating the bay at the Dorset seaside town.
The Cirque du Swanage themed carnival, which took place between Saturday 26th July and Saturday 2nd August 2025, proved to be one of the most popular and successful in years as the weather was largely perfect and thousands of visitors poured into town.
On the opening Saturday, the fireworks made a spectacular start to the week
A pink heart in the sky over Swanage Bay
Firework displays dazzled the crowds
The big draw on the opening day was, of course, the world class overhead show from the RAF aerobatic team, the Red Arrows, however all three of the firework displays dazzled the crowds on each of the warm summer evenings on both the Saturdays and on the Wednesday.
The midweek firework display lit up the sky in beautiful colours including plenty of pink in memory of Swanage four year old Darcey-May Elm who sadly died in 2018.
Incoming! The Red Arrows arrive over Swanage
More than 100 events
As well as the Red Arrows and fireworks on the opening Saturday, there were performances from the Steamship Circus and the Black Eagles Acrobats in the Sandpit Field arena, as well as the fire engine pull along Shore Road and the Global Stars Air Show.
On Sunday 27th July 2025, the day started with Carnival Praises, a church service in the marquee to celebrate the start of the carnival, before the main carnival procession through the streets of Swanage, which embraced the vibrant circus theme with strongmen, acrobats and, of course, clowns!
Further highlights of the week – during which more than 100 events were held and an estimated 250,000 people visited Swanage – included the photo marathon, the Scruffs Show for dogs, a dinosaur derby, the Swanage Bay Swim, the cooking demonstrations, a fancy dress street party, the Yard of Ale challenge and a BMX stunt show.
Dogs and their owners line up to become Scuffs champion 2025
The picturesque Swanage Bay Swim
Food is a big part of the carnival, attracting lots of visitors to the cooking demonstrations
“A huge thank you”
Chair of Swanage Carnival Darren Strong said:
“We’ve had a fantastic week of weather and an amazing carnival, which we hope will have raised lots of money for local charities and good causes.
“Last year we achieved a record breaking £30,900 and it would be great to beat that total this year.
“I can’t say this enough – a huge thank you needs to go to the people of Swanage, to all the visitors who come back year after year, and of course to all the volunteers who make everything possible!”
The next Swanage Carnival will take place from Saturday 25