St Pauls Carnival

St Pauls Carnival We are history, tradition, heritage and family. We are art, music and dance. We are Carnival! 🙌🏾

St Pauls Carnival returns in 2019 for this iconic Bristol event representing the best of African Caribbean culture, as well as the diversity, creativity and vibrancy of its home city, Bristol. At the heart of carnival is our masquerade procession with highly ornate and colourful costumes and floats from local schools and cultural associations, a stage for professional performers, sound systems in

neighbouring streets and a range of stalls selling food from a wide range of cultures. Get involved with community events, mas camps, fundraising activities and Carnival history projects and help us to make the 2018 edition an incredible spectacle and celebration. St Pauls' Carnival is supported by Bristol City Council and Arts Council England.

03/09/2026

A couple of weeks ago we opened our independent community research survey, and the answers coming back have already been honest in the way we hoped.

It's open to anyone with a connection to Carnival, whether you're a resident, a volunteer, an artist or performer, a trader, a sound system rep, part of a partner organisation, or someone who has simply come out to watch, and it asks what Carnival means to you, what you'd protect, how you'd want to take part, and what needs to change for it to keep going

There are no right or wrong answers here, and you don't need to soften anything either, because what we need is the honest version. Your answers will feed directly into how we plan, what we prioritise and the decisions we make next.

This is the first step in our year-round community engagement programme, so it won't be the last time we ask, but it is the one that sets the direction.

Complete the survey: link here: https://forms.gle/cnd3WSgrobh4ruUG9

and to read more, visit our latest blog here: https://www.stpaulscarnival.net/news/share-your-thoughts-for-carnivals-future

Survey closes 23rd September 2026

A lot has been said about Carnival this year, in the comments, in the group chats and on the road, and plenty of it was ...
28/08/2026

A lot has been said about Carnival this year, in the comments, in the group chats and on the road, and plenty of it was said because people care.

So rather than guess at what the community wants, we're asking properly.

Today we're launching our independent community research survey, and it's open to anyone with a stake in Carnival. Residents, volunteers, artists, performers, traders, sound system reps, partner organisations and anyone who has ever come out to watch.

It asks what Carnival actually means to you, which traditions and experiences you'd protect, how you'd want to take part going forward, and what needs to change for Carnival to keep going for the generations coming after us.

There are no right or wrong answers here, and you don't need to soften anything either, because what we need is the honest version. Your answers will feed directly into how we plan, what we prioritise and the decisions we make next.

This is the first step in our year-round community engagement programme, so it won't be the last time we ask, but it is the one that sets the direction.

Complete the survey: link here: https://forms.gle/cnd3WSgrobh4ruUG9

and to read more, visit our latest blog here: https://www.stpaulscarnival.net/news/share-your-thoughts-for-carnivals-future

Survey closes 23rd September 2026.

26/08/2026

At Willow Park, Years 3 to 6 have been learning Carnival, the history, the culture, how to make their own costumes, and how to dance like they're part of the ocean.

This is one part of Carnival 365, which runs across community, culture, partnerships and education throughout the year, and the schools programme matters within it because this is how Carnival gets passed on.

We asked the students how they were finding it and they told us straight...

Honest, fun and full of heart.

There's a lot more happening across the year, and our Carnival 365 roadmap sets out where it's all heading.

Thank you to Dee Moxon, Ruth Ramsay and Stephanie Reeves.

We know there are questions about what comes next for St Pauls Carnival, so we're sharing our Carnival 365 roadmap: the ...
25/08/2026

We know there are questions about what comes next for St Pauls Carnival, so we're sharing our Carnival 365 roadmap: the work we'll be doing over the next twelve months towards Carnival 2027.

Carnival has never been one day on the streets, and this sets out the key stages across the year, from listening and community involvement through to partnerships, planning and delivery, so you can see what's happening and when.

It's the bigger picture rather than every detail, and as the work progresses we'll take you into different parts of it, share what's moving and what isn't, and create ways for you to have your say.

Carnival belongs to the community, always has and always will, and its future won't be shaped by any one organisation.

There's a lot of work ahead, and we want you to be able to see it.

One year. One community. One Carnival.

You've asked where the money comes from and where it goes, so here it is.Around 71% of Carnival's income is Arts Council...
21/08/2026

You've asked where the money comes from and where it goes, so here it is.

Around 71% of Carnival's income is Arts Council and local authority funding, with the rest from sponsorship (11.7%), trading and concessions (7.7%), other income (4.2%), public donations and crowdfunding (3.1%) and trusts and foundations (2.3%).

Delivering the last full-scale Carnival day in 2023 cost £505,558, mostly safety, medical and welfare, event delivery and performers, site build and public facilities.

Carnival 365 is a separate year and a separate job, £180,299 across 2024/25 for the people, governance and community programmes that keep the work going, so the two don't add into one bill.

What it returns: £9.2 million into the local Bristol economy on Carnival day, 4,000+ young people through 200+ workshops, and 140+ traders.

These are the real numbers behind Carnival, shared because you have a right to see them, and because trust is built on being able to check the work rather than being asked to take it on faith.

18/08/2026

What a day! 💛🥁🏏🎨

It was so lovely to see the kids having such a brilliant time, from getting stuck into cricket and colourful headdress making and face painting, to coming together to learn ‘One Love’ on the steel pans.

Seeing everyone joining in, trying something new and sharing those moments together was really special. Days like this are exactly what Carnival 365 is all about, celebrating culture, creativity and community all year round.

A huge thank you to everyone who helped make the day possible:
🥁 Alphonse and associates for an incredible steel pan set and workshop
🎨 Carol Sherman for bringing so much creativity to the headdress making
✨ Poppy & Perle () for the fabulous face painting
🏏 Gloucestershire Cricket Foundation / ACE – African Caribbean Engagement Programme for getting everyone involved in the cricket
💚 The Rose Green, home of Bristol West Indian Phoenix Cricket Club, for being such a fantastic and welcoming venue

And, of course, thank you to all the children, families and everyone who came along and brought such wonderful energy to the day.

Calling all young cricketers and carnival lovers! Join us for a night of sport, culture and Caribbean vibes.Friday 14th ...
05/08/2026

Calling all young cricketers and carnival lovers! Join us for a night of sport, culture and Caribbean vibes.

Friday 14th August 2026
The Rose Green Community Centre
5PM – 10PM

We've teamed up with Gloucestershire Cricket Foundation and ACE (African Caribbean Engagement) to bring you an unforgettable evening packed with:

- Cricket Coaching & Games
- Steel Pans & Workshop
- Headdress Making
- Face Painting

FREE Food & Drink provided for all U16 participants!

Spaces are limited, so don't miss out! To register your young person to take part, complete the registration form below or email us at [email protected]

Register here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1RG4vmEfFK4zNY78X8xaaCxSjwvQHtp_6tYodUTqAJWE/edit

Let's play, create and celebrate together!

You've been asking us this for a long time now.What actually is the CIC? What do you do? Who gave you the right? It hasn...
23/07/2026

You've been asking us this for a long time now.

What actually is the CIC? What do you do? Who gave you the right? It hasn't gone unheard.

And the fact you had to ask more than once is on us, not on you. So no more managing it from a distance. Here it is, plainly.

St Pauls Carnival CIC was formed in 2018 as a community interest company, a legal structure for social enterprises that deliver community benefit while staying financially viable as a separate entity.

That's the technical answer.

Here's the real one. We exist to inform, inspire and engage people through African Caribbean culture. Our job is to create the conditions that let Carnival culture thrive safely and sustainably. securing funding, building partnerships, providing governance and infrastructure, and engaging the community.

But understand this: the CIC does not own Carnival.

Carnival belongs to the community. It always has. We are stewards, not owners here to enable shared leadership, encourage participation, and make sure African Caribbean culture, heritage and traditions continue to be celebrated and preserved. Nothing more, nothing less.

And the question underneath all the other questions: when will Carnival return?

We know you want a date. But it would be irresponsible to set one before the right conditions are in place. and we won't promise you something we can't yet stand behind.

Our focus is on a Carnival that is safe, sustainable and community led. When it returns, it returns on strong foundations. Because it deserves nothing less, and neither do you.

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

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Bristol

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+447514238380

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