News / st Pauls carnival
Huge turnout for unofficial St Paul’s Carnival
Back in May, the official organisers of St Paul’s Carnival said they were unable to put on an event in 2026.
So the community once again came together and did it themselves, with thousands of people partying on the streets showing that a full-scale Carnival is most certainly possible regardless of the lack of official permits.
From sound systems outside houses to jerk chicken and ice cold rum punches, Saturday’s event was a joyful celebration of African and Caribbean culture.
Among the celebrations were questions over the future of St Paul’s Carnival and who should be entrusted to host it on the first Saturday in July in subsequent years.
In 2026, the community showed up in numbers. The official carnival may have been cancelled but you would never have known.
Main photo & video: Martin Booth
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