Luton International Carnival 2024

Join us for the 48th Luton International Carnival 2024

Monday 27 May!

We are once again bringing the joy of carnival to the streets of Luton town centre for Luton's biggest free family event, a magical experience for all!

Full programme to be announced!

In the meantime check out what we got up to last year………….

Luton International Carnival 2023

Thousands lined the streets of Luton town centre for the 47th Luton International Carnival on Sunday 28 May hosted by the UK Centre for Carnival Arts (UKCCA). The glorious sunshine made the carnival a prefect day out for families who enjoyed pre parade entrainment from life sized roaming dinosaurs. Moko Jumbie, a traditional Caribbean stilt walking carnival character. A fantastic interactive performance from Next Generation Youth Theatre’s Tale Shakers show that got the crowds going with a conga line around St George’s Square.  

New entertainment areas at the Hat District and Hat Gardens hosted a wealth of family fun with an immersive Under the Sea storytelling area at the Hat Factory with local storyteller Aaron Spendelow and set designer Lauren Connolly. Aaron said, “It has been great for myself and Lauren to collaborate with UKCCA to develop the new show. Storytelling is a big part of carnival and it is fantastic to work with local carnival artists to give this a carnival twist. Families really enjoyed themselves and we hope to develop more for next year.”

Outside in the Hat District Children danced with Giant tractional Caribbean and Ukrainian puppets by Global Grooves and played with the mischievous flamingos at the Hat Garden.

Over at the Town Hall Cardinal Newman School Steelband showcased their skills with newly reconditioned pans made possible by sponsorship from TUI. The new Town Hall Steelpan Zone also featured Notting Hill Steelband, UFO, lead by Luton born actor Colin Salmon who enjoyed the weekend off from filming his EastEnders debut airing this week.

500 people made up the 28 carnival groups who took part in the costume parade. Highlights included Luton’s Victorious Mas Band with a scale replica of the Empire Windrush ship with the band’s performer giving stella dance performance in the ship costume that wowed the crowds of St George’s Square. Band leader Janet Skepple said, “It was brilliant. Today made the months of hard work all worth it. Seeing the crowd’s reaction to the costume as we came through town was amazing and I can’t tell you how it feels to see everyone cheering on the performance and appreciating my art.”

Other parade highlights included new commers, the Eastern European Carnival Group, made up of over 100 adults and children from the Ukrainian, Polish, Romanian, Hungarian and Roma communities. Group leader, UKCCA associate artist, Reka Prosper said, “It makes me proud to be able to bring the Eastern European communities together to be represented in Luton Carnival. We are a big part of the town and it is important to share our traditions and customs with others.”

Other stand out performances came from African groups - Mas Africa, Ghana Society, Igbo Community Group and Sankofa Heritage Productions; all giving live traditional dance, music and ceremony performances, expressing the richness and diversity of African cultures.  With traditional dress and characters, theses groups showcased Luton Carnival’s commitment to authentic and diverse cultural showcases.

The biggest cheers of the day went to the Pioneer Learning Trust, made up of students from Chantry Primary Academy, Whitefield Primary Academy and Southfield Primary Academy. Sponsored by the Luton Town Football Club and Luton Town FC Community Trust their LTFC inspired costumes rallied a great response form the crowd who were still celebrating Luton’s big win into the Premier League on Saturday!

Luton International Carnival was supported by primary sponsor Luton Rising. Other sponsors, Luton Town Football Club Community Trust, Luton Town Football Club, Luton BID, TUI, Taylor Wimpey, Valicity Care Services, Tesco, Gentian Events, BT Events and Pride In Luton. Funders Arts Council of England, Bedfordshire and Luton Community Foundation, Luton Council and Royal Opera House Bridge. Partners Luton Council, The Culture Trust, University of Bedfordshire, Luton Association of Mas, Luton Irish Forum and Active Luton.

Parade

The Parade sets off at 1:00 pm from outside the University of Bedfordshire STEM Building on Park Street. It then makes its way through the town centre stopping at St George’s Square performance area where the parade groups will showcase their costumes and performances before making their way down Guildford Street for a second showcase performance at the Hat District performance area. Full parade list to be announced…..

Pre-parade Family Entertainment

The Town Hall, Steel Pan Area

12:00 pm - Cardinal Newman School Steel Band

12:20 pm - Urban Fox Orchestra (UFO) Steel Band

1:05 pm - Cardinal Newman School Steel Band

1:25 pm - Urban Fox Orchestra (UFO) Steel Band

2:00pm - Parade arrives

St George’s Square, hosted by DJ Papa Scooby

From 12:00 pm - Children’s Under the Sea crafts in The Mall Atrium, next to Costa.

Out on the Square,

12:00 pm - DJ Papa Scooby

12:15 pm - Global Groove Puppets

12:40 pm- Roaming Dinosaurs

1:10 pm - Moko Jumbie

1:45 pm - NGYT Tale Shakers

2:30 pm - Carnival parade showcase perfomances

The Hat District, hosted by Skill Lab

From 12:00 pm - Family funfair at Bute St Car Park next to the Hat Factory

Out side the Hat Factory,

12:00 pm - Skill Lab

12:00 pm - Moko Jumbie

12:30 pm - NGYT Tale Shakers

1:15 pm - Steel Pan In Motion

1:45 pm - Global Groove Puppets

2:10 pm - Roaming Dinosaurs

2:40 pm - Steel Pan In Motion

3:00 pm - Carnival parade showcase perfomances

Storytelling at The Hat Factory

11 am - Our special SEND session, with a quiet and sensory adventure suitable for those of all ages with additional needs. The storytelling area is fully accessible and with accessible toilets.

12 pm and 1 pm - Fun for all the family, The storytelling area is fully accessible, with a buggy parking, accessible toilets and baby changing facilities.

Age Guidance: 3 - 10 years and their families.

Tickets are free but it is advised to book to avoid disappointment!!

Food, Ice cream, Amusements & Charities

Open from 12 pm

African Caribbean Leukaemia Trust Charity - St George’s Square

Cambridge Children’s Hospital - St George’s Square

Family funfair - Bute St Car park

Garth & Pat Catering - St George’s Square

Ice Cream World Ltd - The Hat District

John & Nzalakanda - St George’s Square

Love Caribbean Queen - St George’s Square

Love Caribbean Taste - St George’s Square

Nutrimax Ltd - St George’s Square

One Stop Caribbean Food - St George’s Square

Poppa Shaw Fun Foods - St George’s Square

Sankofa Heritage Production - St George’s Square

Snow white catering - St George’s Square

Unison Eastern Black Members - St George’s Square

Group World of Faith Centre - St George’s Square

Youth Partnership - St George’s Square

Zizi Nays - St George’s Square

Thank you

Primary Sponsor

Luton Rising

Sponsors

Luton Town Football Club Community Trust, Luton Town Football Club, Luton BID, TUI, Taylor Wimpey, Valicity Care Services, Tesco, Gentian Events, BT Events.

Funders

Arts Council of England, Bedfordshire and Luton Community Foundation, Luton Council and Royal Opera House Bridge.

Partners

Luton Council, The Culture Trust, University of Bedfordshire, Luton Association of Mas, Luton Irish Forum and Active Luton.