St Pauls Carnival

About

Bristol’s annual celebration of African and Caribbean culture, St Pauls Carnival, returns in July 2025.

After a hugely successful return to the streets in 2023, St Pauls Carnival has adopted a biennial model to make sure the Carnival can keep going strong for years to come. In 2025, there will be a scaled-down programme in response to the ongoing challenges in the events sector and to ensure that St Pauls Carnival is here for the long haul to continue to protect the legacy of Caribbean culture and the St Pauls Carnival and celebrate African Caribbean and Carnival culture.

This year’s programme will still bring that epic Carnival energy to Bristol, with a range of events including:

The Elders’ Brunch (Saturday 5 July)
Held on Carnival morning, the brunch is an opportunity for us to honour our community’s elders.

St Pauls Carnival Presents Back A Yard - Celebrating Community (12PM - 8PM, Saturday 5 July)
Carnival day will continue with a ‘celebrating community’ extravaganza event at the Malcolm X Centre located in the heart of St Pauls. This event welcomes families to gather and enjoy delicious carnival food from the islands. The day will also feature a range of activities for kids and parents to get involved in, as well as some special performances from local schools as part of the St Pauls Carnival education programme. This main event is one not to miss!

Carnival day will also feature a variety of exciting party events throughout the local area, inviting attendees to dance and enjoy the signature afro-diasporic carnival sounds. These events include:

• Back a Yard day party at Lost Horizon (2PM - 9PM on Saturday 5 July)
• Back a Yard carnival party at Lakota (2PM - 4AM on Saturday 5 July)
• Back A Yard Back a Yard After Party with Bootybass at Circomedia (8PM - 2AM)

Find out more about this year's scaled-back celebration including how you can support St Pauls Carnival and help ensure its future.

Stay tuned for further announcements as they reveal more details about this year’s events! 

Please note: The procession will not be taking place in 2025.