St Pauls Carnival

18/06/2026

Carnival Day starts with thanks. 🙏🏾

Last year, over 80 elders came together for the Elders' Brunch, a morning of live music, good food, and even better company, celebrating the pioneers whose vision built St Pauls Carnival from the ground up.

Born in 1968 as a community response to racism and division, Carnival has always been about more than the parade. It's about the people, many from the Windrush generation, who decided joy and togetherness were worth fighting for.

This year, we're bringing that same celebration back.

Read the full story on our blog. Link here: https://www.stpaulscarnival.net/news/a-st-pauls-carnival-elders-brunch-a-celebration-of-carnival-legacy

09/06/2026

This year, St Pauls Carnival CIC is unable to produce on-street activities.

If you're planning to mark the day with a celebration at your own residence or in a communty space to sell alcohol and/or play live or recorded music you'll need a Temporary Event Notice (TENs) licence from Bristol City Council.

Here's what you need to know 👇
•⁠ ⁠Anyone 18+ can apply
•⁠ ⁠The application costs £21
•⁠ ⁠Apply through the Bristol City Council website
•⁠ ⁠Apply as soon as possible, don't leave it late

Important: Road closures will NOT be in place on 4th July this year. Bristol City Council Environmental Health and Avon and Somerset Police will factor this into their decisions on applications. St Pauls Carnival CIC has no involvement in TENs decisions.

Full guidance available at www.bristol.gov.uk

06/06/2026

For nearly 60 years, St Pauls Carnival has been more than an event.

It's been a heartbeat. A homecoming.

A celebration of who we are, where we come from, and everything our families fought to build in this city.

We know this year hurt. We know the silence made it worse. And we know that for many of you, this felt like a betrayal of something sacred.

You were right to feel that way.

But here's what we also know, this community has never needed permission to show up for each other.

You've been doing that since 1968. Through the Bristol Bus Boycott. Through every sound system, every procession, every child seeing Carnival for the first time. That spirit doesn't disappear because one year was taken from us.

We're back. Not to make announcements. Not to manage from a distance.

But to roll up our sleeves and rebuild this, together, with the community that made it everything it is.

Comments are open. DMs are open. We are listening.

The 60th anniversary belongs to all of us. And we're going to make sure it feels that way.

12/05/2026

St Pauls Carnival CIC has today confirmed that a full-scale St Pauls Carnival (SPC) will not take place in 2026.

Following extensive planning, operational review and ongoing discussions with Bristol City Council, Avon & Somerset Police and strategic partners, the organisation has concluded that it is not possible to safely and sustainably deliver Carnival at the scale and size the public, participants and the wider community have come to expect.

Over recent months, SPC has explored several revised delivery models in an attempt to maintain full Carnival activity in 2026. This has included significantly reduced the geographic footprint and revising programming proposals. However, it is clear that a full-scale Carnival, including the procession, cannot be delivered this year without exposing the organisation to an unacceptable level of operational and financial risk.

Please read the full statement here: https://www.stpaulscarnival.net/news/statement-from-st-pauls-carnival

06/05/2026

Due to staff sickness, tomorrow’s Community Meeting is postponed. We apologise for the inconvenience caused.

Please keep an eye on our social channels for future updates regarding our next Community Meeting.

27/04/2026

Join us tonight for an evening of film, reflection, and conversation exploring the history, cultural significance, and enduring legacy of St Pauls Carnival, and what it represents as an act of resistance, joy, and collective strength.

This is the final part of a 3-part series on the history, struggle, and resilience of Black communities in the UK, with a specific focus on Bristol.

The evening includes:
• A powerful documentary spotlighting elder women of St Paul’s and their lived experiences of Carnival
• Rare archival footage tracing Carnival’s evolution through the decades
• A panel discussion with Rubba, Cleo & Junior, community members deeply connected to Carnival
• Audience Q&A

🎟️ St Paul's Carnival Legacy
📍 St Paul’s Learning Centre
📅 Monday 27 April, 6PM

🍴 Caribbean food and snacks from Glen Kitchen will also be available!

Book now: https://ow.ly/HNfv50YQt5L

24/04/2026

Teachers’ Taster Day 2026 🎭✨

This week we welcomed teachers from across Bristol to our St Pauls Carnival Teachers’ Taster Day – a hands-on introduction to this year’s schools programme.

All day, the energy in the room was incredible. Teachers stepped into the experience their students will soon take part in - exploring the history of St Pauls Carnival, connecting to its roots and understanding why this celebration matters so deeply to our community.

They didn’t just listen, they got involved!

* Moving through vibrant African dance sessions
* Collaborating on bold, creative costume designs and creating head dresses
* Sharing ideas, questions and excitement for what’s to come

This is all part of preparing nearly 150 young people across local Bristol schools to take part in the St Pauls Carnival 2026 procession, and we can’t wait to see everything come to life on the road.

A huge thank you to all the teachers who brought such energy and enthusiasm. Your role in supporting your students on this journey is so important 💛

Fairfield High School - FHS Fairlawn Primary School

23/04/2026

Tomorrow, St Werburghs Community Centre invites you to Green Feast 2026!

Expect eco-themed stalls, talks, films, activities and a delicious community meal. This event is open to all ages!

📅 Friday 24th April
🕛 3:30PM - 8PM
📍 St Werburghs Community Centre

Book your free place here: https://ow.ly/b4Lp50YOom4

16/04/2026

We're thrilled to share with you our top three shortlisted logo design options!

To decide which logo will replace our old one, we need your opinion. Take a look through all three logo variations and cast one vote for either option A, B or C in the comments below. All votes must be submitted before 23.59 on Saturday 19th April. The winner will be announced in May.

A massive thank you to everyone who submitted their designs. It was difficult to narrow it down to our top three!

16/04/2026

Only a few hours to go until our Community Drop-In Event TONIGHT!

Your voice matters! We want to hear from you! Share your opinions and views to help shape this year's Carnival!

We'll also be spotlighting our top three shortlisted logo design options, and you'll be able to vote for your favourite in person!

📍St Agnes Church, 223 Newfoundland Road, St Paul's, BS2 9NX
🕑 5PM - 7PM
📅 Thursday 16th April

Join us TONIGHT for our free Community Drop-In Event!

This is an opportunity for you to share your views, perspectives and aspirations for St Pauls Carnival.

We'll also be spotlighting our top three shortlisted logo design options, and you'll be able to vote for your favourite in person!

📍St Agnes Church, 223 Newfoundland Road, St Paul's, BS2 9NX
🕑 5PM - 7PM
📅 Thursday 16th April