STALYBRIDGE is getting ready to throw a party as the much-loved carnival prepares to celebrate its 50th anniversary this summer.
Organisers say this year’s event will be bigger and brighter as the town marks five decades of parades, floats and family fun that have become a firm part of the local calendar.
Behind the scenes, the Stalybridge Festival Committee – working alongside Dukinfield & Stalybridge Rotary Club – has already begun planning what they hope will be a “bumper” year.
One of the new highlights for the event on Sunday, June 28, will be a collaboration with Global Grooves, the internationally recognised carnival arts group based in nearby Mossley, known for their large-scale, high-energy parade performances.
Event organiser Ian Cochrane said the anniversary feels significant for the town.
“Stalybridge Carnival has very much become an integral part of our heritage and culture,” he said. “We have been working hard behind the scenes planning the Carnival and are pleased to announce that we have joined forces with the global Carnival arts group – Global Grooves based in Mossley to add some extra magic to the parade.”
There is also a nostalgic nod to the past, with plans for a special float bringing together former Stalybridge Carnival Queens. To join the parade, email stalybridgefestival@outlook.com
Before the main event, residents will get a preview of the carnival spirit at the Stalybridge Spring Show in Cheetham Park on Sunday, May 3, running from 11am to 4pm. The day will raise funds for the carnival and feature a fun fair, community and craft stalls, hot food and live performances.
Adding to the sense of occasion, Stalybridge Motor Bike Club – which will celebrate its own 50th anniversary in 2026 – is set to host a motorbike show in Cheetham Park on carnival day.
For many families, the carnival has become a tradition passed down through generations. This year’s golden anniversary looks set to blend that nostalgia with new energy – and, if organisers get their way, a few surprises too.
For now, residents are being urged to save the date for what promises to be one of Stalybridge’s biggest days of the year.