BOGNOR REGIS PUPPET PARTY RETURNS!

A Celebration of Puppetry at the Bognor Regis Puppet Party 2026

“The very best of traditional family entertainment comes to Bognor Regis”

This September a whole host of puppet shows, and street entertainers will take over Bognor Regis seafront.

The Bognor Regis Puppet Party 2026 will feature Punch and Judy, marionettes, ventriloquism, clowns, magicians and musicians. Based at the Royal Norfolk Hotel, the free event will star Mr Punch and his world-famous sausage stealing antics in some of the funniest Punch and Judy Shows in the country, presented by members of The Punch and Judy Club.

Members of the Punch and Judy Club are some of the country’s finest family entertainers, having performed tens of thousands of shows across all manner of venues, as well as for television and film, and most recently for King Charles on his visit to Punch’s British birthplace, Covent Garden.

Mr Punch is Britain’s national puppet, he has been entertaining families for over 360 years. The character Pulcinella came from the Italian commedia dell’arte shows, and first appeared in England as a marionette, spotted in Covent Garden by Samuel Pepys in 1662. Since then, he has found a home at the seaside and become an icon of Great Britain.

James Arnott’s Puppets On Parade was the hit of the festival last year, and is back due to popular demand. This fast-moving variety show features marionettes, rod and glove puppets and a chance for the audience to see how the strings are pulled. Even with the secrets exposed audiences are moved to laughter and tears at the puppets’ antics. This show is a must see for puppet fans of all ages.