St Mary's Church%2C Saffron Walden

The market town of Saffron Walden in Essex will host a carnival next summer called 8 Day Weekend, and it’s confirmed to run from 7th until 15th July.

The carnival takes place once every three years and lasts for eight days, and in 2017 will open with a colourful procession through the town on Saturday 8th July.

This parade of floats will be themed on TV favourites, and those lining the streets to watch the parade should keep an eye out for some re-enacted show-biz displays and personalities.

A family fun day plus a number of concerts and live performances will take place throughout each day and night of the carnival, while sporting activities and competitions for visitors of all ages can be enjoyed throughout the eight days.

What to expect at the 8 Day Weekend

Details have not yet been released for the specific events and activities for the 2017 carnival, but groups can expect similar to what previous 8 Day Weekends had to offer.

Ventriloquists, ballet troupes, comedians, acrobatic groups and dancers have all put on shows in the past, while famous faces have also made guest appearances – household names have included Mark Wright from The Only Way is Essex, and Matt Cardle from the X Factor.

Sports enthusiasts can expect activities like snooker, golf and football tournaments at various locations throughout Saffron Walden.

A car boot sale, a boogie wonderland show, a tug of war, a Carnival Queen competition and even a bed race have featured at previous 8 Day Weekends, too.

You can watch more highlights from 2014’s event in the video below:



Group travel organisers can keep up to date with news, event details and ticket availability by visiting the 8 Day Weekend website, www.8dayweekend.co.uk.

(Photo credit: VisitEngland and VisitEssex).