Soham Carnival
& Heavy Horse
Show 2026
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SUNDAY 24th MAY 2026
soham carnival and heavy horse show is set for it's 73rd Year.
We have some exciting performances and attractions booked for the day, with our traditional Heavy Horse Show and Town parade.
this popular event has always proven to be a fun, family day out for all ages, and offers fundraising for local charities, groups and associations, and offers exposure for local businesses.
Hope to see you there!
From The Soham Benevolent Association
(Soham Carnival and Heavy Horse Show Event Organisers).
Email: carnival@soham.org.uk Call: 01353 624493
Message: www.facebook.com/sohamcarnival
Please note: This event has no on-site parking facilities (If Disabled parking is required, please contact us)
Dogs are not allowed on the recreation ground (Except guidance dogs)
Events
2026 event schedule
Main Arena
Skate Park Area
9.00 -1.00: HEAVY HORSE SHOW
1.45 - 2.45: JUDGING OF PARADE FLOATS, PRESENTATION OF PRIZES
2.45 - 3.15: NEW SAMBA BAND
3.15 - 3.45: SAMMY MAGIC MAGIC
3.45 - 4.:00: SYNERGY MAJORETTES
4.00- 4.15: KUK SOOL WON
12.30 - 4.00: SKATEBOARD PERFOMANCES AND WORKSHOP
12.30 - 4.30: GRAFFITI WITH KILO: WORKSHOPS & ARTWORK PIECE
Near the Pavillion
11.00 - 12.30: SOHAM COMRADES BAND
Music Stage Line Up
POWERED BY
12.00 -1.00: TIA & KEV
1.00 -1.45: AKIMBO
1.45 - 2.10: DJ
2.10 - 2.30: KD THEATRE PRODUCTIONS
2.30 - 3.30: SVC & VIVA JAM FACTORY
3.30 - 4.00: DJ
4.00 - 5.00: DANCE FLOOR REVIVAL
5.00 - END: GREEDY G
Book Your Stall, pitch or Float Here
SORRY ALL PITCHES & STALLS ARE NOW FULLY BOOKED FOR 2026
Horse Show Schedule
1.Any Heavy Breed Yearling, colt, filly or gelding.
Special for best of each breed
shires - Sponsored by Old Tiger Stables, Soham
2. Filly or Gelding 2 or 3 Years Old
3. Barren Mare or Gelding 4 Years & Over
4. Mare with Foal at Foot 4 Years & Over
5. Foal
6. Champion Shire
percheron - sponsored by cipriani plumbing services
7. Filly or Gelding 2 or 3 Years
8. Barren Mare or Gelding 4 Years & Over
9. Mare with Foal at Foot 4 Years & Over
10. Foal
11. Champion Percheron
suffolks - Sponsored by loach & wade opticians
12. Filly or Gelding 2 or 3 Years
13. Barren Mare or Gelding 4 Years & Over
14. Mare with Foal at Foot 4 Years & Over
15. Foal
16. Champion Suffolk
Clydesdales - Sponsored by G's fresh
17. Filly or Gelding 2 or 3 Years Old
18. Barren Mare or Gelding 4 Years & Over
19. Mare with Foal at Foot 4 Years & Over
20. Foal
21. Champion Clydesdale
final classes
22. Grand Champion from Classes 1 - 21
23. Young Handler 12 Years & Over (up to 18 years on show day)
SPONSORED by DAF
24. Ridden Heavy Horse. Judged on Performance, Manners & Obedience as a Riding Horse. Flights Must be Removed or Laid Down. Hard Hats Must be Worn at All Times when riding (and be up to current British Standard)
25. Best Harnessed Horse in Hand
26. Horse in Working Harness
27. Single Heavy Horse Turnout
28. Single or Pair with Agricultural Implement or Farm Cart
29. Pair Heavy Horse Turnout
30. Best Plaited
31. Best Groom or Showman
32. Best Foot
33. Best Shod
A big thank you to all our sponsors and donors to the prize fund
FOLLOW US
@sohamcarnival (soham benevolent association)
Beneficiaries
Our beneficiaries evening was held Tuesday 8th July at The Ship Soham where we distributed £7500.00 raised at this year’s carnival to our chosen beneficiaries.
A huge thank you to Alison for hosting our event and providing a lovely buffet.
SOHAM & ELY FOOD BANK
were our main beneficiary this year who received £2000.00. We donated £1000.00 in cash and as with last year, we are again working in association with the food retail store in Fordham, Fresh and Proper- distributors of Morrisons, who are buying goods at wholesale cost with the other £1000.00.
The remaining £5500 was split between the following, schools, clubs, charities and organisations:
Soham ACF, Arthur Rank Hospital, Boss Elite, Bumbly Bees music group, Cambridge Acorn Project, Day Centre Monday Club, Friends of Soham Village College, Hedge Hog Corner,
KD Academy , North Chapel Soham, Soham Over 60's, PossAbility, Soham Community Association, 1st Soham Guides, 2nd Soham Beavers, Soham Comrades Band, Kuk Sool Won,
St Andrews Primary School, Synergy Majorettes, The Crescent Amenities fund,
Pavillion Coffee Morning, Jam Sandwich Club, VIVA, Isleham Community Pantry,
Isleham Horse and Pony Rescue, Isleham Primary PTA, Isleham Community Allotment,
Soham Town Rangers Youth FC, RBL Poppy Collection, East Cambridgeshire St Johns Ambulance Cadets, Soham Men’s Shed & Alaina Bristow Fund
ABOUT
The first ever Soham Carnival & Heavy Horse Show was held on Soham Recreation Ground to celebrate the Queen's Coronation in 1953.
Due to that shows’ success, The Soham Benevolent Association was formed the following year, to continue to bring this popular event together on an annual basis.
This year is particularly exciting, as we are due to witness the Kings Coronation and recognition of the Queen Consort, whilst the Soham Carnival celebrates its 70th Anniversary year!
Soham Carnival and Heavy Horse Show continues to provide a great day out for all the family, whilst helping to raise funds for local schools, charities and organisations.
Having the traditional, atmosphere of a town gala, with regular events throughout the day, interactive displays, shopping stalls, heavy horses, a parade of floats through the town and finished off with live music to dance to, Soham Carnival still proves to be one of the most loved, local events in Soham and surrounding areas.
SOHAM BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATION COMMITTEE
CHAIRMAN - KIM BOTTING
TREASURER & PR - HELEN BAVESTER
assistant treasurer - Marion Botting
SECRETARY - GAIL BRADLEY
HORSE SHOW MANAGER - MATT BRADLEY
LOGISTICS - TIM KING
WEBSITE & SOCIAL MEDIA - Jane Meddows AND HANNAH FIREK
SOHAM BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATION IS 100% VOLUNTARY
AND ALL FUNDS RAISED AT SOHAM CARNIVAL GO TOWARDS MUCH NEEDED
HELP FOR LOCAL CHARITIES, AMENITIES AND ORGANISATIONS
THAT SERVE THE PEOPLE OF SOHAM AND SURROUNDING AREAS.
our sponsors
