The theme for the 40th Children’s Parade next year will be Read All About It, the Brighton Festival has announced.
The theme will explore six genres of children’s books – realistic fiction, historical fiction, fantasy, traditional stories, science fiction, and graphic novels and picture books.
Jointly produced with award-winning community arts charity Same Sky, the Children’s Parade officially marks the opening of Brighton Festival, a three-week celebration of arts and culture across the city in May.
The family-friendly, free event is the largest parade of its kind in Europe. Hundreds of teachers from participating schools across Brighton and Hove will work with their pupils to create large-scale artworks and costumes to display throughout the parade’s route.
It’s been estimated that more than 150,000 people have taken part since the parade began in 1986.
It has been repeated every year since, except 2020 when it was cancelled due to covid.
This year a dedicated Same Sky artist will work with each participating school, including an in-person visit, giving local children the opportunity to learn from a professional artist.
Same Sky are also introducing new ways to support teachers, including – in partnership with Create Music – offering samba masterclasses with percussion expert Ollie Tunmer (former cast member of STOMP), to help teachers incorporate live music into the parade.
Lucy Davies, Chief Executive, Brighton Dome and Brighton Festival said: “The Children’s Parade is part of Brighton’s identity – a vivid, collective, public act of imagination and ambition that unites schools, families and communities across the city.
“As we mark an incredible 40 years, this year’s theme puts storytelling at the centre. This celebration belongs to the city, and we’re so proud to help bring it to our streets again.”
Jane McMorrow, interim CEO at Same Sky said: “We’re incredibly proud to mark 40 years of the Children’s Parade – a creative tradition that brings the whole city together.
“With this year’s theme of children’s literature, pupils and teachers will have the opportunity to let imaginations run wild. We can’t wait.”
