The Town Council has refused permission for the event at Tower Gardens, citing an insufficiently detailed event management plan

Organisers behind Skegness Christmas Market are trying to secure an alternative venue to host the event next month - after the Town Council refused the use of Tower Gardens.

The new organisers, Skegness Carnival Steering Group, say they produced a “91-page application” to the council - but the authority states the document was “insufficiently detailed” for such a public event.

The event had been planned to take place on December 12 - with stallholders booked and professional first aid and security teams planned.

However, at a meeting of the Town Council on Wednesday, November 4, councillors refused to grant permission for the event at the council-owned site.

In a statement shared on its website, a council spokesperson said: “At its meeting, the council considered a report regarding the governance, organisational arrangements and event management planning associated with the Carnival Committee and events on council land.

“The council acknowledges an event management plan was submitted. However, councillors considered the document to be insufficiently detailed in a number of important areas and were unable to gain the assurances normally expected for an event of this scale.

“Following detailed discussion, the Council made the difficult decision to refuse the use of Tower Gardens for the proposed 2026 Christmas Market.”

They added: “The council wishes to stress that this decision should not be interpreted as opposition to the carnival or the many community events that have historically been organised by volunteers. Councillors recognise the enormous contribution that generations of volunteers have made to Skegness Carnival and acknowledge the enjoyment it has brought to residents and visitors for many years.”

In response, a spokesperson for the Carnival Steering Group wrote on social media: “Many people were looking forward to this event in the Tower Gardens, as it has been for many years, and we’re very disappointed and upset too - but that doesn’t mean we have given up. “

They added they were “exploring other venues” and would share an update as soon as a venue was confirmed. They also thanked all the traders, volunteers and community members who had shown support, adding: “We are still determined not to let you or Skegness down for Christmas, so it means we have to work harder.”