Harwich Guy Carnival

26/05/2026

Just a reminder that an open meeting is being held this Thursday 28th May at 8pm in the Main Hall of The Harwich Arts and Heritage Centre to give an update on where we are with all things carnival and what has been going on behind the scenes and to also speak to anyone who wishes to volunteer and want to be involved with this wonderful tradition that is Harwich Guy Carnival moving forward. Anybody and everybody is welcome to attend. The future of Harwich Guy Carnival very much starts here.

10/05/2026

Advance notice that there will be an open meeting in relation to Harwich Guy Carnival on Thursday 28th May at 8pm at The Harwich Arts and Heritage Centre, Main Road, Dovercourt. All welcome.

16/04/2026

❗️❗️BREAKING NEWS❗️❗️
We are delighted to now be in a position to confirm that there is a future for the Historic Harwich Guy Carnival. A big thank you to all those that have worked hard to make this happen

Guy Carnival Announcement!

The Harwich Festival is excited to announce that we will be running the Harwich Guy Carnival going forwards! Please share & spread the word.

Read the full Press Release below:

https://harwichfestival.com/guy-carnival-announcement/

07/11/2025

Congratulations to this year's Guy Carnival Selfie Competition 2025 winner Elizabeth Stark who submitted the winning photo and to all our runners up who also submitted some great images. The looks of enjoyment says it all. That wraps up the 2025 Guy Carnival and thank you to everyone who took part, volunteered, watched and gave so generously to the street collection. We will be back in 2026 where we will be celebrating 70 years of the Harwich Big Heads and everything Guy Carnival related will be posted as and when available. Watch this space!

27/10/2025

The prize winners from this years carnival held on Saturday 25th October are listed below , although in truth everyone who took part was a winner!

*Harwich Guy Carnival Prize Winners 2025*

SMALL FIRMS & ORGANISATIONS (winner is awarded Harwich Rotary Shield)

FIRST - The Ark Centre

SECOND - C.V.S.T

SMALL GROUPS (winner is awarded the Hostler Cup)

FIRST - Pottering About

SECOND - Beacon Hill Fort After Dark

PUB AND CLUB (winner is awarded Harwich and District Community Association Trophy)

FIRST – Harwich and Parkeston Youth FC

SECOND – Little Oakley Youth Football

MAN POWERED CONTRAPTIONS (winner is awarded the Harwich Lifeboat Crew Trophy)

FIRST Harwich Physio and Friends

The BEST DANCE GROUP TROPHY was awarded to Boogie Shoes

2025 CHILDREN'S FANCY DRESS

AGE GROUP 0 - 5

FIRST PRIZE - Adeline and Greyson Smith as Twins

SECOND Walter Cornell as Spiderman

THIRD Angela's McIntyre as Dalmation

AGE GROUP 6 - 9

FIRST PRIZE – Tallulah Mallett

SECOND – Joshua Youngs as Spider

THIRD - Annalise McIntyre as Cruella

AGE GROUP 10 - 14

FIRST PRIZE – Shakira Loryman, Annabelle Thomas, Mason and Hollie Mallett as " the Crestures"

ADULT FANCY DRESS 2025

FIRST PRIZE - and Jeff Sallows Trophy to Harwich Community First Responders

SECOND – Tayla Jake

ADULT ‘Best Big Head’ Award

FIRST PRIZE - Alex Nash

SECOND – Carl Smith

THIRD - Simon Pitham and Marcus Clarke

UNDER 15s ‘Best Big Head’ Award

FIRST PRIZE - Emmie Phelan

SECOND – Paris Lance

THIRD - Ellie Mai Lance

UNDER 10s

FIRST PRIZE - Watson Vincent

FAMILY GROUP OF BIG HEADS

FIRST PRIZE - Wendy Taylor and Family

27/10/2025

Please see the heartfelt attached video message from Rotary Club of Harwich & Dovercourt. It really does say it all! Another fantastic amount raised is a perfect result of a fantastic night.

26/10/2025

A selection of photos of some of the Harwich Guy Carnival 2025 prize winners.

Courtesy of Steve Brading Photography.

26/10/2025

A selection of photos from the fun had at Harwich Guy Carnival 2025
Courtesy of Steve
Brading Photography

26/10/2025

The morning after the night before.
A busy one at the carnival count.

25/10/2025

Well despite the rain you did it again Harwich, Dovercourt and surrounding area. To everyone who dressed up, collected money, wore big heads, entered floats and danced the night away we hoped you all enjoyed it and a massive thank you to each and everyone of you and well done to you all.
To everyone who came out to watch again a massive thank you.
Finally a massive thank you to all the volunteers who give up their time to Marshall the route and help out in so many ways. Without you the carnival just simply would not be able to happen.
Please follow this page Harwich Guy Carnival and Rotary Club of Harwich & Dovercourt for all the announcements over the coming days about this years carnival and don't forget to get your Selfie entries in by end of Monday 27th October. We look forward to seeing all the pictures of another fantastic night at Harwich Guy Carnival