Organisers of Buxton Carnival say the much loved event will be going ahead on Saturday, July 11 after the community raised more than £5,000 to cover the higher insurance costs needed for the event.

Earlier in the year a fundraiser was launched as volunteers were unable to meet the rise in insurance costs.

Now more than £5,200 has been raised and the committee has confirmed the event will be going ahead.

The organisers said: “A big thank you to everyone who has donated to cover the cost of providing the emergency medical cover.

The Carnival Procession will be going ahead this year after the funding target for higher insurance costs was raised.

placeholder image — The Carnival Procession will be going ahead this year after the funding target for higher insurance costs was raised.

“We want to preserve this traditional celebration in Buxton, as well as economic benefits it brings.”

New rules which came into force following the Manchester Arena bombing classes all the separate events being held on Carnival Day as a single event. This means an extensive list of requirements must now be met including ambulance crews and paramedics to be on site for a period of 12 hours costing an additional £6,000.

It will now cost over £25,000 each and every year to put on the carnival and well dressing activities.

The committee said: “We hope to continue with a similar programme of events next year, and support the town with extended carnival day events, dependent on sufficient funds being available.”

The organisers have thanked the community for donating to cover higher insurance costs so the 2026 carnival can go ahead. Pictured last year the Buxton district girl guides float. Photo Brian Eyre

And as the carnival is going ahead here is everything you need to know about the timings of all the events.

The blessing of the wells will take place on Sunday July, 5 starting at the Market Place Well at 2pm then marching through the town stopping to bless each of the dressed wells.

At 3.15pm the Crowning of the Queen will take place at St John's Church Buxton, St John`s Church Buxton, where the newly elected Queen and her rosebud will be crowned by the guest of honour in St John’s Church.

Between Monday, July 6 and Saturday, July 11 buildings and shops will be dressed for the carnival.

It will be big smiles again as Buxton Carnival will be going ahead after £5,000 was raised to cover higher insurance costs.

James Mellors Funfair will be on the Market Place between Wednesday, July 8 and Sunday, July 12.

On Friday, July 10 there will be a car treasure leaving from The Railway pub on Bridge Street at 6.30pm - entry is £5 per car.

On Carnival Day, Saturday, July 11 there will be stalls, hot food from 10am with live music at by The Crescent from 4pm.

From 10 am there will also be face painting and circus skills on the bowling green in Pavilion Gardens opposite the Old Hall.

At 10.30am there will be a dog show in the Gardens.

As the crowd line the streets they will cheer on the road race at 1.45pm with the carnival parade starting at 2pm.

The carnival will end in the Pavilion Gardens and following the procession there will be the parade of the Queens in Pavilion Gardens at 4.15pm, as well as the Rotary Club of Buxton’s annual Duck Race also at 4.15pm in the Gardens.

From 4.30pm-7pm there will be a free carnival concert featuring local bands in the Pavilion Gardens although all of these post-parade events depend on the carnival finish time and may be a bit later.

The Crowdfunder page is still open for contributions to next year’s emergency medical cover via crowdfunder.co.uk/p/buxton-carnival