St Pauls Carnival

About

This iconic Bristol event represents the best of African Caribbean culture, as well as the diversity, creativity and vibrancy of its home city.

The first St Pauls Carnival took place in 1968 in the St Pauls neighbourhood of Bristol. The annual African Caribbean carnival has since grown to become one of the city’s greatest cultural events.

Enjoy authentic Caribbean fayre including jerk chicken, curry goat, rice and peas, plantain and sugar cane at one of the many street food stalls. 

Visit one of the stages where you can experience an array of live acts throughout the day showcasing music genres from dancehall, reggae and soca to dub, calypso and drum and bass.

Read our guide to the 2019 carnival

Plan your train journey to Bristol

Public transport in Bristol

The carnival procession route:

Over 1,000 people are taking part in the procession, with 27 local troupes, plus three visiting troupes from Bath, Leeds and London, ready to entertain the crowds.

The Procession will start at noon from Wilson Street, before turning right onto Portland Square. It will make its way around the square, in an anti-clockwise direction, so people can marvel at the Carnival floats and costumes in all their glory.

The procession will then proceed along Surrey Street, before turning right onto York Street. Then, the procession will turn right onto City Road, making its way to the judging point at the junction of City and Ashley Roads. Judging will take place at around 2pm.

Once judges have announced the winners, the procession will continue down Ashley Road, turn right onto Lower Ashley Road, and then turn right onto Tudor Road. Next, it will turn left onto Fern Street, before turning right onto Newfoundland Road. The procession will end outside St Pauls Sports Centre at approximately 4pm.

St Paul’s Carnival 2019: full line up

The Windrush Stage, St Pauls Learning Centre 
Combining music and spoken word, this line up is designed to honour the Windrush generation with a series of performances paying homage to the carnival’s cultural and musical heritage.  

12pm – 12.10pm: Carnival blessing 

12.20pm – 12.40pm: Bristol Reggae Orchestra 

1pm – 1.20pm: BackBeat Sound System 

1.40pm – 2.10pm: Talisman  

2.30pm – 3.10pm: Yam and Banana Takeover / Splits P / Junior Morgan / Texxus Lionface / Zed Regal  

3.20pm – 3.35pm: Hype Dance Crew 

3.45pm – 4.05pm: Our Journey commissioned poetry from Bristol wordsmiths Edson Burton and Lawrence Hoo 

4.20pm – 4.50pm: Nia Melody & Friends with reggae classics 

5.10pm – 5.25pm: Javeon 

5.25pm – 6.25pm: Bristol Rising Stars: Pariah, High Breed, Komposa, B-E-Z, Lucky House Artists, The Scribes  

6.30pm – 6.40pm: Harts Hose 

6.40pm – 6.50pm: Impact Merv 

6.50pm – 7pm: Rogue & Relly 

7pm – 7.15pm: Billy Whizz ft. G00se, Press 1, Jinxsta & Twizzy S 

7.15pm – 7.30pm: Jay0117 

7.30pm – 7.45pm: Wishmaster  

7.45pm – 8.05pm: Split Prophets 

8.10pm – 8.30pm: Punishment PDP 

8.30pm – 8.50pm: Buggsy 

8.50pm – 9.15pm: King Aggi 

9.30pm – 10pm: Hot Steppas 

World Dance Stage, Brunswick Square 
The stage for those wanting an all-day boogie will be pouring out beats of every genre throughout the afternoon and evening, culminating in a show by two Bristol dance music legends. 

12.10pm – 12.50pm: Tribe of Doris takeover 

1pm – 1.50pm: BCFM takeover 

2pm – 2.20pm: Dark Moons 

2.20pm – 2.40pm Culture Fusion x DJ Ngaoi 

2.50pm – 3.50pm: Homegrown segment ft. Griz-O Official, Stay Hungry, Lijitt, Jasi, Ngozi, Marco Artist 

4pm – 4.20pm: Ambush Family 

4.30pm – 4.50pm: Immigrant Swing 

5pm – 5.20pm: Anna Lisa Price 

5.30pm – 6pm: Dallas 

6.10pm – 7pm: DJ Wally 

7pm – 8pm: DJ Jerome Hill 

8pm – 8.40pm: Georgia x Emz 

8.40pm – 9.20pm: OH91 x Sir Hiss 

9.20pm – 10pm: DJ Die    

Unity Stage, St Paul’s Park  
Curated by youth arts group, Aspiration Creation Elevation (ACE) and funded by Bristol Music Trust, the St Paul’s Park stage will host a wealth of young musical talent throughout the day, from live performers to DJs. Music will range from urban beats to grime and hip hop with a smattering of reggae and afro beats. Some of the highlights include: 

12pm – 12.20pm: DJ Eazy 

12.25pm – 12.35pm: Trinity Centre 

12.45pm – 1pm: Bez 

1.10pm – 1.30pm: Knowle West Media Centre 

1.40pm – 1.50pm: Solo Jane 

2pm – 2.20pm: Creative Youth Network 

2.30pm – 2.45pm: XY  

2.55pm – 3.15pm: Basement Studio 

3.25pm – 3.35pm: Kriza Charisma 

3.45pm – 3.50pm: Carnival Anthem 

4pm – 4.20pm: Studio 7 

4.30pm – 5pm: Gardna 

5.10pm – 5.30pm: Ace Youth 

5.40pm – 5.55pm: Punishment 

6.05pm – 6.25pm: DJ Raww 

6.35pm – 6.50pm: Splitz P 

7pm – 7.15pm: Stripzz 

7.25pm – 7.40pm: Elliott Jr 

7.50pm – 8.10pm: McCoy Sway 

8.15pm – 9pm: Lady Leshurr 

Mandela’s Hideaway at St Agnes Park stage-The Family Zone 
This children’s stage will be dedicated to keeping the little ones entertained throughout the day. Among the highlights will be a showcase by Bristol’s Got Talent, prize giving for the procession winners followed by a live performance by the winner. A wide range of fun, family friendly activities will be taking place all day in the park from African storytelling and a sensory area to cultural crafts and performances. 

Read more:
- The ultimate A-Z guide to Bristol
​​​- 119 Things to do in Bristol in 2019