Carnival 2022 - an update

Summer & Community Events

That’s right! We’ll be back in 2022 with a host of events celebrating the best of Carnival.

Whilst we’re taking steps towards a return to a full Carnival event in 2023, the 2022 summer activities and community events will offer the local and wider Bristol community the opportunity to come together once again in the heart of St Pauls, in a celebration of culture and diversity.

Whilst a full public event of the size and complexity of St Pauls Carnival isn’t viable this year, event attendees can expect to experience the cultural arts that make the carnival such an iconic event.

A full programme of events will be published in the coming weeks and in the meantime, the St Pauls Carnival team continue to work on engagement plans with local businesses and organisations keen to support the return of the full event in 2023.

Executive director LaToyah McAllister-Jones says:

“We are excited to return this year with a programme that allows us to celebrate together once again. I am thrilled to announce that this year’s programme includes elements of our regular programme such as school’s performances and Elders’ Brunch.

“We are also looking to organise a St Pauls Carnival takeover event at Lost Horizon, a family picnic in St Pauls and a community-focused event held at the Malcolm X Centre. This year is also the 60th anniversary of Jamaica’s Independence and some of our events will run in recognition of this milestone.

“While we hoped to be able to bring the full, vibrant celebrations of St Pauls Carnival back to the streets this year, given the uncertainty around the pandemic it has proven difficult to agree supplier contracts during our planning phase. The Omicron outbreak towards the end of last year impacting planned fundraising events.

“We are also mindful that there is still much sensitivity in the community around COVID-19. However, Carnival season ’22 will not go uncelebrated. We are putting together a two-week series of events which will be open to everyone who wants to celebrate with us.”

The St Pauls Carnival is a community event

The St Pauls Carnival is a community event supported by the Arts Council and Bristol City Council, and it costs over £650,000 to stage the event. Supporters of the St Pauls Carnival are encouraged to donate and contribute to the future of Bristol’s annual celebration of culture and heritage.