Sandown Carnival Looks Ahead To 2026 Season After Financial Setbacks

One of the Isle of Wight’s oldest carnivals is preparing for the 2026 summer season, despite a series of financial challenges over the past year.

Founded in 1889, Sandown Carnival was forced to cancel its popular annual fireworks display after taking what organisers describe as a “double hit” to its finances in 2025.

In its annual report to this week’s AGM, the Carnival Association says it was first notified in February of a large and unexpected service charge linked to its High Street fundraising shop.

This was followed, just months later, by a tripling of the business rates bill for its float-building and storage facility on the edge of the town.

The report says these financial pressures left the group with little choice but to cancel one of its major events.

In October, the committee announced that the 2026 New Year’s Day fireworks would not go ahead — a decision described as particularly difficult, but one which has stabilised finances and allowed planning for a full programme of summer events in 2026.

The Carnival is also facing uncertainty over its long-standing base on East Yar Road, where Sandown’s float has been housed since the 1970s.

Southern Water is progressing plans for a new water recycling works on the site, meaning the Carnival has begun searching for a new home.

The association says discussions are ongoing with Southern Water regarding potential financial support to help with relocation.

Despite the challenges, Sandown Carnival chair Paul Coueslant says the group remains optimistic.

He said community groups often operate on a financial “knife-edge”, relying entirely on volunteers and the support of the public, local businesses and Sandown Town Council, as well as income from the High Street fundraising shop.

He added that cancelling a major event, while difficult, has put the Carnival back on a more stable footing and will allow all planned summer entertainment to go ahead this year.

Sandown Carnival is welcoming support through its shop at 77a High Street, Sandown, or online.

The Sandown Carnival Association AGM takes place upstairs at Sandown Library, 119 High Street, on Saturday (31 January) at 2:30pm, and members of the public are welcome to attend.