Diss Carnival 2025 brings town to life as it celebrates cultures from ‘Around Our World’
Thousands were treated to a taste of culture from across the globe at the weekend, as Diss Carnival 2025 brought the market town to life.
A spectacular parade featuring more than 20 entries, including floats, dance and walking groups, live entertainment, a host of activities and a fun dog show were just some of the highlights this year.
The carnival theme was Around Our World, taking people on a trip across the continents to enjoy the sights, sounds and celebrations of cultures near and far.
The town centre was transformed into a vibrant global showcase, from samba dancing from Brazil to lion dances in China, Hawaiian hula to Bollywood beats.
It celebrated the incredible diversity of our planet and all it has to offer.
The parade featured tractors and lorry floats and energetic walking groups and dancers who brought smiles to the faces of onlookers, as they lined the street.
Each procession entry chose a country to represent as they travelled through the town, after leaving Diss High school at 12.30pm.
They made their way down Mount Street, through Market Place and Mere Street, before turning right at Morrisons roundabout to reach Diss Park, where the Fun Day began at 1.30pm.
The park played host to more than 40 stalls featuring international cuisine, refreshment bars, handmade crafts, games, face painting, glitter bar, festival hair and Larry Gray’s Funfair.
It also featured performances, live music from across the globe, a dog show, dance workshops from different cultures, interactive games and global-themed activities.
Event compere Paul Preston Mills kept the crowds informed of all the day’s activities.
Park Radio meanwhile ran the pavilion with a schedule of performers thoughout the afternoon.
Acts on the day included the FoolHardy Circus World Show, Dan the Hat Silly Stupid Stunt Show, a Caribbean dance act, Kenninghall Morris Dancers, Sakari Mannisto juggling act, Ebony and Gold saxophone quartet and music with the Sisters of Light.
One of the hits was certainly the crockery smash where participants hurled hard balls at plates, dishes and cups assembled on shelving, just for fun.
Kimberley Jaynes, Diss Town Council marketing and events administrator, and chair of of the carnival committee, said: “After many months of planning, it was so rewarding to see thousands turn out in support of Diss Carnival 2025.
“From all our fantastic parade entrants who brought buckets of energy and smiles to the streets of Diss, to everyone involved with the Fun Day - stallholders, performers, walkabout entertainers and of course, all the volunteers and staff who made the day run smoothly.
“The weather held out for us and we were pleased to hear great feedback from families who travelled far and wide to enjoy the day.
“It makes all the hard work worthwhile - I’m still smiling! Thank you, Diss – until next year.”
The Carnival 2025 winners on the day for were:
* Best Dressed Float
Heywood Sports and Fitnesss with a
Mexico theme.
* Best Walking Group
Palgrave Players, with a Swedish
theme, including ABBA
* Most Outrageous Float, in
honour of Peter Gillings
Garden Project Team, with an
Aladdin theme
* Best Dressed Window
Adkins Opticians
