Hartlepool's 103rd Carnival is officially underway after Ceremonial Mayor Councillor Sue Little declared the event open on 30 July 2026. The carnival launch took place at Murphy's Funfair on the Town Moor at the Headland, one of the main attractions running throughout the ten-day celebration.
The carnival is a community-run project led by volunteers from the Hartlepool Carnival Committee. Councillor Little said: "It's a great honour to be invited to open the 103rd Hartlepool Carnival. This event has been bringing the community together for generations and remains one of the highlights of our calendar. I would encourage everyone to come along, enjoy the attractions and support the many activities that make the carnival so special."
What's on during the carnival
Murphy's Funfair will operate daily from 2pm until 10pm, with rides and attractions for all ages. The funfair will run throughout the ten-day period alongside a wider range of community-focused activities showcasing local creativity and spirit.
The carnival programme includes the Grand Parade on Saturday 8 August, starting at 4pm from the Town Square. The parade will feature colourful floats, performers and community groups celebrating Hartlepool's community spirit.
The final day will also feature the traditional nutty slack race, where participants carry a 25kg bag of coal on their backs over a 1.1km course. Women carry a 10kg bag. This year the race will run from The Victoria Arms to the Borough Hall.
For information about the carnival and its events, follow Hartlepool Carnival on Facebook.