Float 2025

The 2025 Newport Carnival float was designed with a theatre-inspired theme, bringing the glitz and glamour of the movies to life while ensuring that the Royalty truly shone as the stars of the show.

Starting with a blank canvas after the previous year’s design was stripped away, the build team set to work on creating a striking “at-the-movies” style float. The first features to take shape were the reception and ticket booths, carefully designed to maximise space while maintaining a classic cinema feel.

A stepped, raised platform was constructed to house retro-style chasing lightbulbs, an iconic hallmark of West Country carnival floats. This, combined with the float’s bold colour scheme of black, gold, red, and touches of white, gave the whole design a stylish, eye-catching presence.

Lighting played a key role in setting the scene. Warm white festoon lighting washed the float in a consistent glow around its perimeter, while a central 5-metre truss supported 300w halogen par cans. Controlled to create dynamic flashing effects, these lights added movement and drama to the float.

Finishing touches included a red carpet walkway and themed outfits for the Royalty, who dazzled in coordinated red, white, and black attire. The final result was an elegant, bright, and glamorous float — a fitting tribute to the magic of the movies.