When St Pauls Carnival started in 1968, it was nothing but a local event to bring together the area’s multicultural community – and was mostly made of residents selling home-cooked food from their front gardens. It’s since turned into one of the biggest celebrations in Bristol. With a major focus on African and Caribbean culture these days, it’s full of floats, costumes, soundsystems and (still) food.
In recent years, the annual Parade has attracted tens of thousands from across the city and country, but we’ve not experienced it as often as many would’ve liked. St Pauls was cancelled between 2015 and 2017, due to its challenging size, and during the COVID years moved online. In 2022, organisers introduced a smaller music, arts and community event, called Back A Yard.
Why isn’t St Pauls Carnival happening in 2024?
Finally, after many years away, St Pauls Carnival returned to its full-scale form in 2023 and it did not disappoint. Over 100,000 people are believed to have attended, yet despite this, LaToyah McAllister-Jones (Executive Director for St Pauls Carnival) later said, “We now plan to stage a full-scale carnival every two years.”
The main reason? Cost. Only a small proportion of people donate to this free-to-attend carnival. About 50% of funding comes via grants from organisations like the Arts Council and Bristol City Council. But organisers had to raise more than £250,000 themselves, which is not a sustainable model year in, year out.
That doesn’t mean St Pauls will be completely empty of any celebrations this summer. In off years, it’ll revert to the stripped-down, COVID-inspired and community-led Back-a-Yard format. Plus, it will continue its ongoing year-round initiatives, including a schools and education programme as part of Carnival 365.
What’s happening at Back-a-Yard this year?
Across two weeks, starting June 22, Back-a-Yard will showcase a programme of events focused on the St Pauls community. Still bringing key elements of what makes the Carnival so beloved, expect a mix of food, music, arts and community – with a particular focus on marking Windrush Day.
So far only a handful of events have been announced. Kicking off on June 22 (6-8pm) at Circomedia, join ‘Sounds of Windrush: Human Library’ for an evening of storytelling exploring the impact of the Windrush Generation on the Bristol music scene – from the Carnival vibes of Soca to the beats that have influenced Dubstep and Drum & Bass.
Afterwards, a ‘Sounds of Windrush Party’ will bring the Carnival party atmosphere. The line-up so far consists of Dazee, Keith Lawrence, Bid D & Tappa, and Gemmy playing into the wee small hours. You’ll need tickets to attend both of these events, each costing £10, and can be purchased by heading here.
Then on July 5, (7:30-8:30pm) Montpelier High School is hosting a fashion show fundraiser for St Pauls Carnival. Meanwhile, Bristol Beacon (on June 21) will also be celebrating the impact of Windrush on music with a mini-showcase of Black Caribbean artists (Angel Mel, Rebekah Dinnall, Da Fuchaman and Texxus Redmoney) sharing music from their heritage.
Will St Pauls Carnival return in 2025?
Short answer, yes. A longer answer, maybe? Cost is still at the heart of St Pauls Carnival’s future. That’s why organisers have launched a new campaign called ‘It Takes a City’ – asking us all to chip in and guarantee it’s around for another 50 years.
“You’ll see it in venues all around the city,” LaToyah McAllister-Jones said to the BBC. “It’s about encouraging people to support St Pauls Carnival because every little helps. Imagine if everyone who came to the event last year gave £2.”
To learn more about St Pauls Carnival and Back-a-Yard head here.