Please complete this form by 9th May 2026
We are excited to announce the 2026 Pageant theme is
You are free to interpret this however suits you - maybe you want to celebrate a particular food, cafe, restaurant, BnB or hotel.
Maybe you want to celebrate something you see everyday on school or work commute, or when out and about
Maybe you want to highlight something you love about living in leith that you get to experience again and again.
We can't wait to see what you come up with!
The Pageant route for 2026 will be the same as in 2025, Taking us from Taylor Gardens, along Junction Street, through the Kirkgate, along Tolbooth Wynd and then down the Shore, finishing at Malmaison Plaza. Where the Tattoo will take place directly after!
Date: Sunday 21-06-2026 Start Time: gather 12.30-1pm, for a 1.15pm start. Arrive at Malmaison: approx 1.45 Tattoo: 2pm End of event: 4pm
We encourage all groups taking part in the pageant to dress up and to decorate cargo bikes, trailers, buggies etc., this is not required, BUT... The award for best-dressed entry returns in 2026 & will be announced at the Community Tattoo, so get creative!
You do not need to remain for the Tattoo (unless you are performing in it!), but we would love for your to stay and enjoy the performances.
While Leith Festival recruits volunteers to accompany the pageant each year, we also ask each group to provide a named steward.
This is a person who will accompany the group and help to ensure that they keep within the area of road assigned to the pageant, generally keep an eye on whether a gap opens in front of or behind the group, and notify a Leith Festival volunteer who can then contact the lead group to adjust their pace accordingly.
We recommend the named steward is someone who will not be leading or participating in activities during the pageant (e.g. if you are a band the steward should not be someone playing an instrument, or if you are a dance group the steward should not be performing/directing the dancers).
We ask that the named Steward be available for a walk through and briefing in the week before the event.
Leith Festival Association 1st Floor 17 Academy Street Leith, EH6 7EE