The 1960s will set the tone in Bilston on Saturday, 4 July, as Bilston Carnival returns with a parade through the town centre before an afternoon of music, children’s entertainment and community activities in Hickman Park.
The event is free to attend. The parade leaves Broad Street, WV14 0BZ, at 11am, reaches Hickman Park, WV14 0LZ, at 12pm, and the celebrations continue in the park until 5pm. City of Wolverhampton Council says the day is aimed at families and the wider community, with food and drink stalls on site and visitors encouraged to bring camping chairs, blankets and picnics.
Bilston Carnival was last staged in 2008, making this weekend’s return a notable date for residents who remember the older event and for families seeing it for the first time.
Parade starts on Broad Street before Hickman Park celebrations
The day begins with a 1960s-themed carnival parade, a reference to the decade when the event first took place. It will move off from Broad Street at 11am, travel through Bilston town centre and finish in Hickman Park at midday.
From there, the focus shifts to the park for five hours of live entertainment and activities. The council says the revived annual carnival is part of a wider package of events linked to the town’s Pride in Place Regeneration Programme.
Councillor Stepehen Simkins, City of Wolverhampton Council Leader and a member of the Bilston Pride in Place Board, said he was “really excited” for the return of the carnival and described it as a free event bringing Bilston and the wider Wolverhampton community together.
The timing also places the carnival in a busy week for the town, following the opening of the new Bilston Market. According to the council, residents are expected to see further work over the next decade on community facilities, public spaces, high streets, parks and opportunities for young people.
Live music, magic and Shaun The Sheep Farmathlon
The main stage at Hickman Park will feature live music from WolvesStock Revival, Bluebird Belles and Dirty Rockin Scoundrels.
Families with younger children will also have a dedicated children’s stage, with a comedy magic show, wizard workshop, balloon modelling workshop and interactive story time scheduled during the day.
Free activities listed for the carnival include arts and crafts, facepainting, Shaun The Sheep Farmathlon and sporting have-a-go sessions. WCR FM will also be on site, broadcasting from the event and sharing updates and interviews through the day.
Food and drink stalls are planned, but the event is also being pitched as a bring-your-own picnic afternoon. Visitors can bring blankets, camping chairs and picnics to settle in at Hickman Park once the parade has arrived.
What to know before setting off
The confirmed event site is Hickman Park, Bilston, WV14 0LZ. The parade starts from Broad Street, WV14 0BZ, at 11am, so anyone wanting to see the procession should be in the town centre before it moves off.
The event runs on Saturday, 4 July, from 11am to 5pm, with the parade expected to reach Hickman Park at 12pm. Entry is free and no booking requirement was listed in the council’s announcement.
Visitors are advised to park in Bilston town centre and walk to Hickman Park. The council says all parking in Bilston is free, and that local bus and metro services are also available.
Bilston Carnival event sponsors are City of Wolverhampton College and Brewers Decorator Centres.
Source: City of Wolverhampton Council
Source check Source trail
This preview is based on the City of Wolverhampton Council event notice and keeps the timing, route, cost and programme details to the published information.
- Confirmed the event date as Saturday, 4 July 2026.
- Checked the parade start point as Broad Street, WV14 0BZ, at 11am.
- Checked the main venue as Hickman Park, WV14 0LZ, with activities until 5pm.
- Confirmed the event is listed as free to attend.
- Source
- City of Wolverhampton Council
- Scope
- Bilston
- Updated
- 2026-07-01 13:28
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