ENTRY RESTRICTIONS FAQs
Can I still drink alcohol at the Carnival?
Yes — alcohol will still be available on-site, but you’ll no longer be able to bring your own.
We know that sharing a drink with friends and family is a big part of the Carnival experience, so we didn’t want to enforce a full ban.
These changes ensure we comply with licensing requirements and ensures we can safely manage the quantity and strength of alcohol being served.
Will the drinks at the bar be expensive?
Not at all. Thanks to our amazing volunteers, we’ve kept prices low — just like previous years. We’ve also increased the number of volunteers working on our bar and stock to reduce queues and keep service flowing.
If it wasn’t for extra volunteers stepping forward we would have needed to bring in external bar providers, significantly increasing bar prices. This years bar prices can be found on our Carnival Afternoon and Evening Concert pages.
Can I still bring food and soft drinks for a Picnic?
Yes — picnics and snacks are very welcome, and you can bring non-alcoholic drinks.
Just note:
All drinks must be in sealed, shop-bought containers. You can bring an empty refillable bottle and make use of the water station on the field.
Why are you changing things from previous years?
This year’s changes to the entry rules were made in close consultation with our external security team, in response to a noticeable increase in safety-related incidents over the past three years.
As organisers, we have a moral and legal responsibility to prioritise the safety and wellbeing of everyone attending, and to remain in compliance with the conditions of our operating licence.
Is this just a money-making scheme?
Absolutely not. These changes are not about profit — in fact, they come with extra costs, such as additional security for bag checks and overall safety.
They’re necessary to ensure licence conditions are met, allowing the Carnival to continue in a way that’s safe, responsible, and sustainable.
Is the committee pocketing profits?
We’ve been genuinely heartbroken by this suggestion. The Carnival committee is made up entirely of volunteers who give their time, skills, and energy freely.
Many of our team members:
• Use their own time off work to meet with suppliers and prepare the site
• Cover costs like petrol, parking, and food without reimbursement
• Offer professional expertise that would normally cost thousands, for free
No one is paid for their time — in fact, most spend out of pocket to help make the Carnival happen. We're proud to serve the community, and these efforts, alongside those of our volunteers,
sponsors and suppliers, are what allow the event to stay as accessible and affordable as possible.
