We know we won’t be getting the St Pauls Carnival we were once promised this summer. Bristol’s celebration of African and Caribbean culture—which attracts over 100,000 people with colouful floats, bass-heavy soundsystems and incredible food—is still struggling with “ongoing challenges in the events sector.”
Instead, St Pauls Carnival has revealed a “scaled-down programme”, similar to what we saw during the pandemic years, with the return of ‘Back a Yard’ (from the traditional Jamaican phrase meaning ‘where I’m from’). Taking the carnival back to its activist roots, it will mark the 60th anniversary of the Race Relations Act 1965.
With a line-up that spans generations, genres, and communities, this year’s Carnival will particularly spotlight the role of music and culture in protest, identity, and joy. The programme will launch with Human Library: Voices of Windrush on June 22, an intimate panel discussion with artists and educators carrying forward the spirit of the Windrush generation.
The Human Library will feature talented local storytellers including Rider Shafique, Julz Davis, Muneera Pilgrim and Lawrence Hoo, who will share personal anecdotes, family memories and more—and explore the lessons passed down through generations. You can get your tickets for that here.
What’s happening on carnival day?
On carnival day itself (July 5), join the Community Celebration Day at Circomedia, offering a blend of arts, music, food, and community spirit of St Pauls Carnival. This free, family-friendly event (1pm – 6:15pm) features performances from local African-Caribbean talent—including Da Fuchaman, 1Relation Sound, Vierz Collective, Tan Teddy, Elijah A.M. + Family Takeover, Ayahuasca and more. Get your free ticket here.
Afterwards, you will find a series of parties across St Pauls at Lakota, Circomedia and Lost Horizon. This includes General Levy, the legendary jungle MC, headlining the Lakota Night Takeover, alongside DJ Krust, AÆE, and Anything But Becky, in a night that celebrates the deep roots of sound system culture. Other St Pauls Carnival parties include:
- Circomedia: Booty Bass – Part fundraiser, part cultural celebration at Circomedia with community-based all female offering-Krowned Kollective. Get your tickets here.
- Lakota: Day & Night Takeover – with Dubkasm, Jah Lokko, and QSS Young Lion handing out heavyweight dub and reggae in the daytime. You can get your tickets here.
- Lost Horizon: Roots Yard Day Party – Ben Badoo, Kesh, and Rubba bring roots, reggae, soca, calypso, and more, to the Firmly Rooted Soundsystem. You can get your tickets here.
“We’re incredibly proud to reveal this year’s Back A Yard programme, a true celebration of the strength, creativity and culture embedded within our community,” said programme producer, Jamell Ackford. “Guided by the theme Roots of Resistance, the line-up honours our heritage while creating vital platforms for local artists and voices to shine.”
To learn more about the Back A Yard programme head here.