The historic town of Longton is preparing to burst into a kaleidoscope of colour and sound as the annual Longton Carnival and Pig Walk Parade returns for 2026.
Produced by the Longton-based arts organisation Urban Wilderness CIC, this beloved family-friendly event is scheduled to take place on Sunday 26 April 2026. From 10am until 4pm, the town centre will be transformed into a vibrant hub of live music, performance stages, and local culture.
A Quirky Heritage: The Story of the Pig Walk
At the heart of the festivities is the spectacular Pig Walk Parade, which sets off at 3pm. This unique procession celebrates a true and eccentric piece of local history from the 1880s.
The story tells of John Aynsley, the founder of Portland Works and Mayor of Longton from 1886, who made a daring bet with the Duke of Sutherland. Aynsley wagered he could successfully drive a pig all the way from Trentham to Longton. Against the odds, he succeeded. As a result of winning the bet, the Duke donated the land required to create Queen’s Park and provided the funds to build Longton Cottage Hospital.
Today, this heritage is brought to life by a giant pig puppet named Jolly, who will be accompanied this year by another local character, Meddlesome Millie. Based on Millicent, the Duchess of Sutherland, Millie was a social reformer who campaigned tirelessly for better working conditions in the Potteries, including the removal of lead paint glazes.
"We love working with local community groups and businesses to put this event on for Longton. Stoke-on-Trent is one of the greenest cities in England, so we are filling Longton with flowers for the day. Our city's motto reminds us that we are stronger together, which is always evident on carnival day because everyone pulls together to create a brilliant day for families and visitors." — Isla Telford, co-director of Urban Wilderness CIC
What to Expect: The 2026 Programme
The 2026 edition promises a packed programme of free entertainment, with entry to the event being completely free of charge.
Whether you are here for the legendary parade or the artisan market, we have rounded up the full programme so you don’t miss a second of the action.
“What a fantastic day seeing the community come together.”
Essential Event Info
- Entry: FREE entry for everyone.
- Entertainment: All live performances and workshops are free of charge.
- Paid Activities: Please note that fair rides, street food, pottery painting, face painting, and henna require payment.
Bandstand Stage
- 10am: Uke ‘n’ Sing
- 11am: Trentham Brass Band
- 12pm: Six Town Sound
- 1pm: Hannah Sophie
- 2pm: City of Stoke-on-Trent Male Voice Choir
The Strand
- 3pm: THE PIG WALK PARADE
- All Day: Darts Competition with Longton Snooker Club
- All Day: Short Sleeves Magician
- 10am: Outdoor Games
- 11:15am, 1pm, & 2:30pm: Eve & Baldy’s Mad Hatter Tea Party by Circus in a Box
- 11:45am & 1:30pm: Dance Workshops with Indian Fusion
- 12pm: Art Brasil Carnival Drummers
Star Corner
- All Day: Aerial Circus with Pole & Aerial Fit
- All Day: Six Towns Radio, Hula Hoops, and Henna by Cherrie
- All Day: Face painting with The Face painting Pixie
- 12pm, 1pm, & 2pm: Aerial Circus Workshops
Beyond the Pavement: Tours & Workshops
Duchess China Factory Tours
Explore behind the scenes with tours at 11am and 1pm. Tickets are limited and must be pre-booked via Eventbrite - https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/beyond-the-oven-factory-tours-of-duchess-china-tickets-1986314104958?aff=oddtdtcreator
Dimbleby Ceramics
Try your hand at pottery painting at 10:30am, 11:30am, 12:30pm, or 2pm. Prices start at £10, and booking is highly recommended at https://www.dimblebyceramics.co.uk/service-page/pottery-painting
The Sound of Coffee
Enjoy Northern Soul and Motown hits performed by Albie from 11:30am until 1:30pm.
Quiet Spaces & Community
Longton Central Hall
- 10:30am: Sunday Morning Service
- 11:30am – 1pm: Heritage Film Screenings with Staffordshire Film Archive
U7 Urban Arts
- All Day: Breakout space with free tea and coffee, plus crafts and pebble painting
- 3:45pm: The Official After Party (Ticketed event via Eventbrite - https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-pig-parade-after-party-tickets-1986320263378)
Longton Victorian Market
- Launch of the Stoke-on-Trent Family Hub’s Soft Play Area
- Family activities with the National Literacy Trust
All Day Attractions
- Warwicks Funfair: Traditional family fun for all ages.
- Street Food Stalls: A wide variety of delicious options, including halal and vegan choices.
- Longton Artisan & Cultural Fair: Shop local handmade goods and gifts.
- Charity & Community Stalls: Meet local heroes from Dougie Mac, Midlands Air Ambulance, Greyhound Gap, and many more.
“I loved every second of it! It was amazing, it really was.”
Community and Future
Supported by the local community and funded by various bodies including Arts Council England and Stoke-on-Trent City Council, the carnival remains a vital part of Longton's identity. Beyond the fun, the event provides a significant boost to the area, with the 2025 parade generating over £300,000 for the local economy.
"We know that many people remember growing up attending carnivals with fond nostalgia and we want to bring back that feeling." — Isla Telford, co-director of Urban Wilderness CIC
Join the Team: Volunteering and Getting Involved
The event relies on a dedicated team of volunteers. Enthusiastic locals can sign up for two main roles:
- Event Stewards: Responsible for setting up, providing information, and supporting performers. Training takes place on Saturday 18 April 2026 (10am - 12pm).
- Parade Performers: Volunteers can wear fabulous costumes and be part of the parade. Costume fitting and training is scheduled for Sunday 12 April (2pm - 5pm).
Creative individuals can also attend drop-in workshops at The Moony Club to help make decorations and costumes on various Wednesdays throughout March and April.
For more information on the full programme or to register as a volunteer, visit the official website at https://www.pig-walk.com/
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