Global Carnival Centre
UK Carnival Dates 2011
The following UK Carnival dates are based on dates we have been given or researched. Please contact organisors if you want to visit some of the carnivals and confirm that the events are still taking place. Global Carnival Centre offers this page to support the carnival sector and inform its visitors of all these greatest shows on earth but is not responsible for any misinformation.
If you are interested in doing business with any of these carnivals, we at GCC are involved with most of them and are happy to assist so please contact us by filling in the form on the right of this page or on the Contact page.
For stalls please visit the website addresses given below each Carnival on this page as they would have information or forms on how to book stalls. Please only contact us about stalls if you cant find the information on the Carnival's web page.
Thank you in advance.
Preston
Preston City Caribbean Carnival
Run by the Preston City Caribbean Carnival Executive Committee, this Carnival is organised by a team of volunteers, who tirelessly work throughout the year planning, organising, and running the event. The Committee states that Preston Carnival is the largest and longest running cultural celebration in Preston outside of the Preston Guild.
The Carnival starts at 12.30 from Moor Park and finish at Avenham Park, where all of the bands will give their final performance before the winners are announced for 2011. There is also a full stage show of entertainment on Avenham Park throughout the day.
http://www.prestoncarnival.co.uk
Monday 30th May
Reading
Reading Community Carnival
In its 34th year, Reading Community Carnival takes place on the first May Bank Holiday with a procession that goes through the streets of West Reading, starting and ending in Prospect Park.
Events Featuring stalls selling a variety of food and drink, events start from around 12:30 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. The Committee invites people to take part in the carnival e.g. enter a float in the procession, a stall in the Park or make and wear costumes in the procession.
http://www.ensl.f2s.com/
Monday 30th May
Luton
Luton International Carnival
After a fantastic event in 2009, Luton International Carnival is returning in 2010! The town centre is set to come alive with spectacular colourful costumes, music from around the globe, street entertainers, and international food on Bank Holiday Monday, from 12 noon until 7pm.
http://www.luton.gov.uk/carnival
Monday 30th May
Cambridgeshire
Soham Carnival and Heavy Horse Show
Soham Carnival and Heavy Horse Show invite participants tp join them brighten and colour the streets of Soham with a Carnival Parade Float and this year there is no set theme for the parade. Local schools, clubs & businesses in the surrounding area are most welcome to enter. There will be prize money and trophies to be won in a number of categories, such as: Best Club Float, Best School Float, Best Newcomer Float, Best Youth Organisation Float, Best Business Float and Best Float of the Day. All non-prize winning entries will receive £25 for taking part.
http://www.soham.org.uk/amenities/benevolentassociation.htm
Saturday 11th June
Warwickshire
Nuneaton Carnival
Celebrating its 80th year with the theme, 80 Years of children's entertainment this carnival has a procession which features over 20 decorated floats as well as their Carnival Queens float designed and built by Nuneaton & Bedworth In Bloom. Starting at 1pm the procession has five marching bands, majorette troupes, cheerleaders, shire horse drawn omnibus, mayoral car as well as over 100 walking entries, visiting Carnival Queens from all over the country all bringing their own floats.
Organisors claim the procession makes this Carnival the largest Carnival in Warwickshire and one of the largest voluntary organised town Carnival's in the country
http://www.nuneatoncarnival.org
Sunday 12th June
Chester
Carnival of Giants
This brand new procession features 100 giants, 20 Carnival bands and dance troupes parading through the streets of Chester City centre starting at St John Street Chester, by the Roman Amphitheatre, where the Giants will assemble with dance groups, drum groups and performers from the UK, Europe & Latin America ending at the Town Hall Square.
Organisors are inviting everyone to come to Chester and experience this unique and free day which promises to be a day to remember!!! GIants from Chester, Spain, Belgium, Latin America, and thorughout the UK will be there. Carnival meets the Giants!!!
http:// www.thegiants.org.uk
Saturday 18th June
Tottenham, London
Tottenham Community Festival and Carnival
Each year Tottenham Carnival captures the tremendous community spirit of local people. This year the carnival procession features over 40 floats and over 1000 participants moving up the high road to its final destination Bruce Castle Park featuring 5 stages a museum fairground and food from all over the world
The parade starts 11am in Eade Road N4.
http://www.tottenhamcarnival.co.uk/
Saturday 18th June
Belfast, Ireland
Beat City Parade
Click here to find out important news on Belfast Carnival
This year Beat Initiative are organising an outdoor Maracatu performance which will parade from Queen’s University Belfast, along Botanic Avenue, Shaftesbury Square and University Road, finishing at the QUB Students Union.
The evening culminates in the Students Union with a
Brazilian Carnival party from 9pm
http://beatcarnival.com
Sunday 1st-3rd July
Coventry
Godiva Carnival Procession
The procession is part of a three day festival showcasing some of the finest local, national and international artists from a multitude of genres and comedy acts.
Godiva Carnival features a procession, the kids tent, a wealth of entertainment in the arena with information about local history and eco-friendly groups in the region. http://www.godivafestival.co.uk
Saturday 2rd July
Bristol
St Pauls Carnival
The cultural gem of the West country boasting local sound systems, poetry corner, live stage and a procession involving schools, samba bands, Afrikan drumming and more.
http://www.stpaulscarnival.co.uk/
Saturday 2nd July
Ashburton, Devon
Ashburton Carnival
The Carnival is one of the oldest, possibly the oldest, surviving in Devon. Written records date it back to 1891, but it is believed to have been started in the mid 1880s to raise funds for a new hospital.
http://www.ashburton.org/anual_events.htm
Saturday 2rd July - Sunday 3rd July
Oxford
Cowley Road Carnival
With the theme of Invention, Cowley Road Carnival features a carnival procession involving local schools, community groups, dance and music stage as well as roving performers, family creative workshops, food and drink traders, stalls for community groups and charities. The Saturday music concert brings carnival sounds and bands performing in South Park (ticketed)
http://www.cowleyroadcarnival.co.uk/
Saturday 16th - 17th July
Newham, London
Newham Carnival
Taking place in East Ham’s Central Park, this carnival is brought to the public by the Mayor of Newham with a procession involving over 500 local school children parading through the streets of the borough in a colourful costume parade.
There will also be a variety of music and dance acts, activities for young ones, a funfair, sports, food and fashion.
http://www.newham.com/page/summer/the_mayor_s_newham_show/376,10,0,0,0.html
Saturday 9th July
Norwich
Norwich Lord Mayor Carnival
Every year the colourful and creative floats, walking groups and performance groups, that make up the Lord Mayor’s street procession are the focus of the celebrations, with thousands of people lining the streets of Norwich to cheer them on.
Schools, community groups and businesses alike all get involved to raise money for charity and have a bit of fun.
http://www.norwich.gov.uk/
Saturday 16th July
Derby
Derby Caribbean Carnival
The Committee states that Derby Carnival brings a taste of the Caribbean to the City. Live music playing soca, reggae, steelpan, with mas costume adding the colour.
http://www.myspace.com/derbycaribbeancarnival
Saturday 23rd July
Gloucester
Gloucester Carnival
The organisors are appealing for people to be involved in the 75th year of Gloucester’s Carnival Procession which seems to have uncertainties each year. This year its definitely on and will make way through the city centre so that more of Gloucester’s residents and shoppers can enjoy the excitement of the carnival.
http://www.gloucesterfm.com/gloucester-carnival-is-back-in-2011-for-its-75th-year-–-get-involved-2/
Saturday 23rd July
Liverpool
Liverpool International Carnival
Organised by Brouhaha, this is the City's largest annual multicultural, multi art form celebration and the organisers claim it is the largest single piece of carnival arts in the North West with 1000 local, sub regional, national and international costumed participants.
This annual event engages groups and communities in a series of arts workshops producing small-scale costumes and large-scale structures that celebrate the Cities diversity identity, attracting audiences of up to 20,000 people.
http://www.brouhaha.uk.com/calendar_more.php?id=90
Friday 29th - 30th July
Sandown, Isle of Wight
Sandown Main Carnival
This is Sandown’s biggest carnival of the year featuring a whole day of activities and entertainment followed by a parade around the town involving over 700 people in the procession.
Friday starts with the Children's Carnival followed by the main one on Saturday
http://www.sandowncarnival.com/pages/2010/main_top.php
Saturday 30th July
Cleethorpes
Cleethorpes Carnival Parade
Early predictions from carnival bosses suggest that the number of floats on show at the 2011 parade – which will be extended from Sidney Park to Pleasure Island – could beat the 2010 figure of 64, as many more local groups and societies sign up.
http://www.cleethorpesevents.co.uk/#/the-carnival/4548448191
Sun 31st July
Burgees Park London
Carnaval del Pueblo
In its 13th year Carnaval del Pueblo starts with a spectacular and colourful float procession from Elephant Road (Elephant & Castle) at 12 pm making its way through Walworth Road and Albany Road to finish at Burgess Park at 3pm where the party begins until 10pm.
http://www.carnavaldelpueblo.co.uk
Saturday 6th August
Hastings
Hastings Old Town Carnival
Run by an unpaid band of dedicated and enthusiastic volunteers, the Hastings Old Town Carnival has been in existence since 1968. Those were the days Hastings and St Leonards had their own carnival which missed out the Old Town so old towners decided to have their own, better, carnival. As time went by the Old Town event got better and better and the other one, sadly, fizzled out. As a parting gift St Leonards gave Hastings the right to the title "Miss Hastings" so their Old Town Carnival Queen is also Miss Hastings.
http://www.1066.net/carnival
Saturday 6th August
Cardiff, Wales
SWICA Carnival
Organised by South Wales Intercultural Community Arts (SWICA), the Mas Carnival theme this year will be “MAGICK : Dr Dee’s World of Wonder” . This will feature scheming Magicians, Fiery Spirits, Shadowy Demons, Swashbuckling Adventurers and Welsh Indian Warriors !
The parade starts from Cardiff Bay at 11.30am with a street jam in St Marys Steet around 12.30pm finishing at City Hall. Pre Carnival events include training and free workshops in this year's Mas Camp, visit SWICA site for more details.
http://www.swica.co.uk
Saturday 6th August
Whitstable
Whitstable Carnival
This English traditional carnival will be 114 years old this year. Their traditional parade gives everyone, young and old, the chance to have some fun.
Local businesses and organisations all pull together to create a great spectacle of sound and colour and throughout the Carnival season this town is represented by Miss Whitstable and her Court who have been chosen to act as ambassadors for Whitstable.
http://www..whitstablecarnival.co.uk
Sunday 7th August
Birmingham
Birmingham Carnival
Birmingham's annual carnival parade starts from Oxhill Road and makes its way to partying until late in Perry Park. There, the stage plays host to live music and the finale involves plenty of pyrotechnics. Over 2000 dancers from troupes across the country are expected to take part in the procession in fantastic sequined and feathered costumes. The Carnival Queen and her troupe will be wearing costumes designed by the legendary Professor Black who has been working since last August with volunteers in his workshop, described as an “Aladdin’s Cave” of colour, feathers and sequins.
Sunday 7th August
Hackney, London
Hackney One Carnival
This year the Hackney One Carnival will finish in a vibrant family event delivered by Parks for Life. Live music, dance, free dance and movement workshops, healthy food concessions and a kids zone.
The Carnival parade will start on Ridley Road Market at 12 noon and end in Clissold Park. The Park has disabled access and all ages are welcome. Clissold Park, Green Lanes, N16 9HJ.
http://apps.hackney.gov.uk/servapps/WhatsOn/Parks.aspx
Sunday 14th August
Nottingham
Nottingham Carnival
The carnival parade will burst onto the city streets in an explosion of colourful costumes, live steel pan, samba, dancing and an ensemble of sound systems. The Parade will make its way from Friar Lane at 2pm through the Market Square on to Derby Road to the Stage Show on the Forest Recreation Ground.
http://www.tuntum.co.uk/events/caribbean-carnival-2010/
Wednesday 17th August
Weymouth
Weymouth Carnival and Airshow
Weymouth Carnival returns with all your favourite activities including by public demand the return of the motorised procession and some new Airshow element!
The organisors this year are proud to be increasing the already exhilarating days entertainment by
adding a collection of the most exciting and iconic air displays in the world featuring one aerial display an hour throughout the day, putting this years extravaganza on a level with the country’s biggest carnivals and air shows.
http://www.weymouthcarnival.co.uk/
Sunday 28 - Monday 29th August
Leeds
Leeds West Indian Carnival
In its 44th year, Leeds Carnival is one of the oldest Caribbean Carnival in UK set and run by the local people in Leeds. Sunday is dedicated to the procession and Monday to continue with the Caribbean culture focuses on Reggae music as the park hosts a live stage featuring the best in reggae music.
Leeds Carnival Committee is the first in UK to start Carnival day with the traditional J'Ouvert in the early hours of the morning before carnival officially starts in the afternoon. Although sound systems line the streets on route, only traditional instruments are allowed on the three-hour procession itself as it snakes its way through Chapeltown and back to Potternewton Park.
http://www.leedscarnival.co.uk/
Sunday 28 - Monday 29th August
Notting Hill, London
Notting Hill Carnival
Held each August Bank Holiday since 1966, the Notting Hill Carnival is the largest festival celebration of its kind in Europe. Every year the streets of West London come alive, with the sounds and smells of Europe’s biggest street festival.
Twenty miles of vibrant colourful costumes surround over 40 static sound systems, hundreds of Caribbean food stalls, over 40,000 volunteers and over one million Notting Hill carnival revelers.
http://www.thenottinghillcarnival.com/
Saturday 3rd September
Ryde, Isle of Wight
Ryde Illuminated Carnival
The carnival season culminates with what organisors like to call the Ultimate Isle of Wight Carnival at Ryde, featuring over 2,000 performers from carnival clubs around the Isle of Wight .
Ryde Carnival is reputed to be the oldest established carnival is England. The first true event was held in 1888 but the real origins extend a year further back to Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee of 1887.
http://www.rydecarnival.org.uk/
Saturday 3rd September
Devizes
Devizes Carnival
Carnival in Devizes is a vibrant mix of traditional and contemporary carnival styles and is the biggest outdoor community event in the town's calendar. It consists of two weeks of festive activities in late August and early September each year and is one of the biggest, free outdoor celebrations in Wiltshire.
Its activities include the famous international Street Festival, Picnic in the Park and the Confetti Battle.
http://www.devizescarnival.co.uk
Friday 9th September
Cumbria
Kendal Torchlight Carnival
In its 42nd year Kendal Carnival's theme this year is Kandal's Got Talent. At this Annual Kendal Torchlight Carnival, 100 floats and around 2000 people make their way through the pretty market town. They bear burning torches in a spectacle featuring classic cars, folk dancers, street entertainers, marching bands, carthorses and costumed participants from around the area and visiting groups.
http://www.kendaltorchlightcarnival.co.uk/
Friday 4th November
Somerset
Bridgwater Guy Fawkes Carnival
The carnival continues to attract thousands of spectators and enthralled people of all ages as it wound its way around the historic streets of Bridgwater, Somerset.
According to organisors, Bridgwater Carnival continues its reputation as the largest and best illuminated procession in the world, with a mesmerising display of colour, sound, movement and overall entertainment.
The origins of this annual carnival can be traced back to the Gunpowder Plot of 1605 when Guy Fawkes and his fellow conspirators, failed in their attempt to blow up the Houses of Parliament.
http://www.bridgwatercarnival.org.uk/
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