Archive: the following events were advertised for Buxton Well Dressing Festival and Carnival in 2023. See the organiser’s website for current information.

The 2023 festival was advertised for 2–9 July, with the carnival parade on Saturday 8 July.

A contemporary 2023 schedule included:

Sunday 2nd July

2pm: Well Blessing Service and Procession, starting at the Market Place.

3.15pm: Crowning of the Festival Queen at St John’s Church.

Saturday 8 July

11am: Pet dog show in Pavilion Gardens. 1.45pm: Carnival road race from Spring Gardens. 2pm: Carnival parade. Later events in Pavilion Gardens were advertised to include the Parade of Queens, duck race and carnival concert.

The original Explore Buxton report described the 2023 souvenir programme as its 96th edition, marking 183 years since the town’s well-dressing tradition began in 1840.

The photographs below look back at previous well dressing festivals.

People in colourful costumes walk in a carnival parade A brass band marches along a Buxton street Hospital staff in blue uniforms walk beside a decorated bed in the parade Hospital staff push a decorated bed in the carnival parade A young woman in a red gown walks in the parade Two people carry a model aeroplane in the paradeA crowd gathers on a grassy slope Crowds gather beside the Slopes in BuxtonPeople in colourful costumes walk in a carnival paradePeople ride on a decorated carnival float A pipe band in tartan marches through the town Children and adults ride on a decorated carnival float A carnival float decorated with a Blackpool seaside theme A carnival float decorated with balloons and a Union flag People ride on a carnival float decorated with Union flags A well dressing celebrates Buxton Opera House and the festival fringe A red and white carnival float passes spectators A crowd gathers in the town centre People in costume ride on a brightly decorated float A gold carriage decorated with flowers carries carnival participants A ceremony takes place inside a church A fairground ride spins against a blue sky Members of a brass band march and play in the street A young woman in a sash and white gown stands with attendants

People in red and white ride on a carnival float People in blue and white costumes push a pram in the parade A group in orange and white costumes walks in the parade Spectators watch the parade from the pavement A well dressing with poppies commemorates 1914 to 2014 Young carnival participants in formal dresses and hats walk together A colourful float carries passengers past spectators Crowds gather around entertainment in the town centre A colourful well dressing depicts a rural scene Decorative gnomes and plants outside a building Visitors stand at a fairground stall displaying stuffed toys Crowds and a balloon seller gather in a park People ride on a float covered in flowers A procession moves along a street lined with spectators A fairground food stall selling burgers and hot dogs A large teddy bear stands outside a building Parade participants in red push wheelbarrows styled as aeroplanes A participant passes a Buxton Hospitals sign in the parade A decorated float with balloons carries children and adults A motorcyclist rides through the parade A woman in a black and yellow costume walks in the parade A carnival float decorated as an aircraft carries passengers People in costume wave from an aircraft-themed float People in colourful outfits ride on a carnival float A green carnival vehicle carries a large bee figure A well dressing depicts buildings and a landscape A school well dressing features a decorated castle A Pride and Prejudice well dressing marked 1813 and 2013 People ride on a decorated float with balloons People in costume ride on a Chelmorton-themed float A brass band in red jackets marches down a street A diving-themed carnival float passes spectators A crowd fills a Buxton street during the carnival An Elvis impersonator performs on a carnival float People ride on a decorated float carrying a Cubs banner Children in costume ride on a flower-decorated float Children in costume ride on a white and green carnival float A brass band in blue jackets marches down the street Carnival participants ride on a red, white and blue float People in bright clothing exercise on a carnival float A pub exterior decorated for the carnival A well dressing shows an animal among flowers and leaves A group in costume pulls a wheeled carnival display The Buxton Well Dressing Queen and attendants ride on a flower-covered float People relax on the grass in a park People dressed as superheroes ride on a float A bagpiper plays while marching in the parade A colourful Ghost Train fairground attraction People in pirate costumes walk in the carnival A carnival float moves through a street lined with spectators A green carnival vehicle carries a large bee figure People in costume ride on a Chelmorton-themed float A gold carriage decorated with flowers carries carnival participants A space-themed well dressing depicts an astronaut and a rocket A floral well dressing shows a woman among flowers A community well dressing depicts birds in a landscapeA well dressing for St Mary’s Church A school well dressing features colourful musical instruments Four women sit together beneath a pink parasol A green and white carnival float passes the Crescent A carnival participant in a white gown rides on a green float A well dressing and formally dressed participants at an outdoor ceremony A well dressing and formally dressed participants at an outdoor ceremony