The return of the Battle of Flowers to Victoria Avenue is set to bring plenty of colour, creativity and entertainment to Jersey. This year, the Island’s Morris dancers will be joined by some special visitors from the other side of the world.
Ngāti Morris, a group representing the Morris dancing community in New Zealand, has travelled almost 9,000 miles to Jersey and will be joining local Morris dancers, the Jersey Lillies, as part of the entertainment surrounding this year's Battle of Flowers.
The visit comes as part of a pre-planned trip to the Island, giving the New Zealand dancers and musicians the opportunity to meet up with their Jersey counterparts and perform together.
Ngāti Morris brings together dancers and musicians from Morris sides across Aotearoa, the Māori name for New Zealand. Describing themselves as a close-knit nationwide community, the group regularly comes together to dance, make music and enjoy the social side of Morris dancing.
International performances are a particularly special opportunity for the group, making their appearance at this year’s Battle of Flowers a memorable addition to their Jersey visit.
The Jersey Lillies said they were delighted to welcome their New Zealand counterparts to the Island, with the two groups set to perform together during the daytime pre-parade entertainment.
Dance takes centre stage
Morris dancing will be just one part of a packed entertainment programme accompanying the return of the Battle of Flowers to its historic home on Victoria Avenue.
The daytime parade will feature an array of spectacular floats, performers and bands, with this year's creations including Mary Poppins, Finding Nemo, K-Pop Demon Hunters and Shrek.
Ahead of the parade, audiences can enjoy entertainment from 2pm, with dancers, singers, the Dolphin Marching Band and Fire FX helping to build the atmosphere before the floral procession gets under way.
And the dancing doesn't stop when the daytime festivities finish.
The celebrations continue into the evening with the Moonlight Parade, where crowds can once again enjoy performances from dancers and other entertainers alongside the Dolphin Marching Band and Fire FX.
Dancers from the following groups taking part in the 2026 Battle of Flowers include:
- Lindy Hop Jersey
- Jodie Lee Performing Arts Academy
- Emma Jane Dance Academy's Jersey Rockettes Cheerleading Squad
- 3rd Above Entertainment
- Golden Hours Entertainment
- Performers Jersey
A meeting of Morris traditions
For the Jersey Lillies, welcoming dancers from New Zealand offers a wonderful opportunity to share their passion for Morris dancing with an international group, and for audiences to see the tradition brought to life by performers from two very different corners of the world.
With Ngāti Morris making the journey from Aotearoa to Jersey, this year's Battle of Flowers promises to be a particularly memorable one for the Island's dance community.
Whether you're a Morris dancing enthusiast or simply heading along to enjoy the spectacle, keep an eye out for the dancers as the Battle of Flowers returns to Victoria Avenue.
It looks set to be a colourful celebration – and one with plenty of dancing along the way.
