The Longton Pig Walk Parade and Carnival is returning for a third year on Sunday (6 April) and 2025 promises to be the biggest and brightest event yet - here's everything you need to know if you're planning on going along. 

Featuring performance stages, live music, a funfair, street food and an artisan market, the event will also include the spectacular Pig Walk Parade – complete with a giant pig puppet called Jolly.

The parade, organised by Urban Wilderness CIC, celebrates a true story from the 1880s when the Mayor of Longton, John Aynsley, successfully drove a pig from Trentham to Longton to win a bet with the Duke of Sutherland. As a result, Aynsley won the land to create Queen's Park and the money to build Longton Cottage Hospital.

The Pig Walk Parade will begin at 3pm on The Strand but there's plenty to enjoy before the main event takes to the streets - the full schedule for the day is here. 

The parade will again be led by Stoke-on-Trent-based contemporary nu-marching band KiLNE. (Andrew Billington)

What's on? 

The day's entertainment will kick off at 10:45am when the Trentham Brass Band will take to the Bandstand Stage at Longton Exchange shopping centre, just off The Strand. 

From around 11:15am the Star Bikers pass through on The Strand, making their first appearance at the carnival as part of their easter egg appeal.  

There will be a lot to enjoy before the parade begins, including theatre performances, giant games, hula hooping and carnival drummers until 3pm. 

Back at the Bandstand Stage, you'll be able to sing along with "Uke 'n' Sing" from 12pm followed by performances from Hannah Sophie and then "Karaoke & Bingo". 

Other performances will be taking place at the Melodrome Stage, Heathcote Road, including steel drummer Eesha Plays Steelpan, Stoke-on-Trent singer Poppy Blonde and band The Destroyers. 

If you want to get into the carnival spirit even more then drop by Shoe Zone at Longton Exchange to make your own headdress and pom poms between 12pm-2pm. 

There will also be funfair rides to enjoy on Longton Exchange's car park. 

And these are just our top picks but there is a lot more to get involved with including an afterparty at Gladstone Pottery Museum.

There is plenty to get up to throughout the day. (Andrew Billington)

Food, drink and shopping

There will be street food stalls with halal and vegan options on Bennett Precinct at Longton Exchange. 

There are also many cafes and restaurants close by to enjoy lunch or refreshments, including the Moroccan Cafe, Kiln at Number 12, The Coffee House, Britannia Cafe, The Glost House and Ali's Kitchen. 

The event itself is alcohol-free and there will be an artisan market at Longton Exchange with a collection of makers and sellers from the area. 

The weather is expected to be sunny - so don't forget sun cream! (Andrew Billington)

Parking, buses and trains

Public car parks in Longton include Tesco car park via Baths Road, Commerce Street Car Park and Chancery Lane Car Park.

Parts of Longton Exchange Car Park will not be available on Carnival Day due to the fun fair rides and its recommended to use public transport or share a car with friends on the day. 

First Potteries buses 6, 6A, and 11 operate on Sundays to Longton Bus Station. 

Bus stops on The Strand will be diverted on the day due to the road closure.

Getting to Longton by train is also an option and the station is just a short walk away from The Strand. 

Road closures

The Strand and adjoining roads between Edensor Road and Transport Lane are subject to a Road Closure from 8am - 6pm on Sunday 6th April for the event.

The Strand and adjoining roads will be closed from the roundabout from 1pm to 4pm for the parade to assemble and take place safely.

Transport Lane will be closed from Market St from 3pm to 4pm for the parade to take place safely.

The road closure will be opened to allow the Star Bikers Egg Run to travel along The Strand from around 11:15am - 11:45am. 

The lower end of the Longton Exchange Car Park will be closed from 8am - 6pm for the fairground rides and charity stalls.

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READ: Preparations underway for popular Stoke-on-Trent carnival and pig parade

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