Sandown Carnival Confirms 2026 Dates – But No New Year Fireworks

Sandown Carnival organisers have announced the dates for next year’s summer events — but confirmed there will be no New Year’s Day fireworks in 2026.

After a hugely successful 2025 season, the town will once again kick off the Island’s summer carnival calendar next year:

• Sandown Children’s Carnival – Saturday 25 July (daytime)

• Sandown Main Carnival – Saturday 25 July (evening)

• Sandown Bay Regatta – Sunday 9 August (all day)

• Sandown Illuminated Carnival – Wednesday 26 August (evening)

However, organisers say rising costs mean they’ve had to cancel the traditional New Year fireworks display.

Sandown Carnival chair Paul Coueslant explained that large unexpected bills for their High Street fundraising shop and a big increase in rates for the carnival’s float-building site have forced the difficult decision.

“As a non-profit community group, it costs us tens of thousands of pounds each year to put on our events,” he said.

“We’ve been hit with a double financial blow and had to find around £10,000 unbudgeted, so we’re really sorry there’ll be no New Year fireworks in 2026.

"On the plus side, our summer events will go ahead as planned, with everything people have come to love about them.”

Full details will be available at sandowncarnival.com and on the Sandown Carnival Facebook page.