This year’s Children’s Parade saw participants embrace the “read all about it” concept with enthusiasm.

Crowds gathered along the route through Brighton’s city centre this morning marveled at the variety of character outfits and sizable art pieces, drawing from the nation’s rich literary heritage.

The 2026 National Year of Reading inspired the theme, with schools involved examining six literary categories: contemporary realism, historical narratives, fantasy, folklore, speculative fiction along with comics and illustrated volumes.

Notable figures from beloved children’s literature such as Wind In The Willows and Where The Wild Things Are could be spotted among the many young participants.

Created in partnership with the community arts organization Same Sky, the Children’s Parade serves as the official kickoff for Brighton Festival, a three-week arts and culture event spanning Brighton, Hove and East Sussex from May 2 through May 25.

The event, which welcomes families and costs nothing to attend, represents Europe’s biggest parade of this nature.