Leeds Carnival never fails to attract the biggest names, and they’re out in force this weekend for our 50th birthday. We are privileged to welcome Barbadian soca music star Edwin Yearwood (pictured above) to Leeds, with the “Soca King” appearing across the city to join the celebrations with us. Anyone lucky enough to grab a ticket for our now-sold-out King & Queen Show at the West Yorkshire Playhouse on Friday evening will be treated to a special guest appearance from Edwin. If you weren’t lucky enough to grab tickets, the entire show will be streamed live in both the Leeds Continue Reading

Tickets are now on sale for the new play, Carnival Chronicles, commissioned especially for Leeds West Indian Carnival’s 50th year. In this moving play, charting a love story spanning 50 years, from the Caribbean to Leeds, Melody and Cyril tell their story of migration, love, loss and celebration. Carnival Chronicles is embroidered with key moments and images from Leeds West Indian Carnival’s half century history and the real life memories of the pioneers and community that brought Carnival to the city. Performances: West Yorkshire Playhouse September 11th | Box Office:  0113 213 7700 Mandela Centre October 20th | Box office: Continue Reading

We’re on the hunt for voices for our Carnival Choir. As part of our 50th anniversary celebrations, Carnival Choir will bring together 50 singers and musicians drawn from the local community.  Accompanied by contemporary and pan musicians and directed by acclaimed musicians Christella Litras, Roy Johnson and Cleve Freckleton, Carnival Choir will perform choral renditions of calypso and soca classics which capture the journey of the music of Carnival over the last 50 years. This is an amazing opportunity to work alongside professional and semi professional singers including Leeds own Caution Collective. WHO ARE WE LOOKING FOR? We are looking Continue Reading

There are just 50 days to go until our 50th anniversary Carnival parade on Bank Holiday Monday 28th August. Across the UK and as far afield as the Caribbean, U.S. and Canada revellers are counting down to the biggest, brightest and best Leeds West Indian Carnival ever! Troupes are busy coming up with the amazing costumes that will hit the road; designers are constructing fantasy creations in top secret for our Prince & Princess Show and King & Queen spectacular (SOLD OUT), whilst witty calypsonians fine tune their entries for our Soca Monarch Show. With a three month exhibition at Continue Reading

We already know that the 50th anniversary Leeds West Indian Carnival parade is going to be our biggest ever with costumed troupes taking part from the Caribbean, across the UK and of course Leeds. Around 2,000 revelers, the spectacular troupes, Kings, Queens, Princes, Princesses and individual participants from across the UK will take part in the parade on Bank Holiday Monday 28th August. From Leeds to Canada, Yorkshire to the Caribbean there’s a flurry of costume making, feather fluffing and sequin sticking as the eye popping creations are brought to life. Can’t wait to see them in all their multi-coloured Continue Reading

Remember that Carnival item you tucked away years ago in case it came in handy? Well now’s the time to dig out that Carnival treasure. Do you have a once loved Carnival t-shirt or promotional item? Buried in a cupboard? Forgotten in the attic? Lost in the loft? In the box under the stairs? Or tickets, programmes, posters, flyers, invitations, trophies, letters and other bits of history at home that you’d like to be a part of our exhibition at The Tetley from August to October that will share our heritage and remarkable history with the world? Bring yours down Continue Reading

A TASTE OF CARNIVAL FAMILY FUN Get in gear for Leeds Carnival 50 with the perfect bank holiday fun, entertainment and learning for all the family! Starting on Bank Holiday Monday 29th May, thanks to Arts Council England funding over the next year we will be holding Taste of Carnival workshops for families to learn the arts and crafts of Caribbean Carnival together. From basic costume making and blinged-up crafts, soca dance moves and playing pan, to carnival-ising t-shirts with your own style, this workshop series is guaranteed to get you in the mood for Carnival, no matter what time Continue Reading

We’re on the hunt for volunteers who are good listeners with an ear for a great story who can help us to seek out and capture the untold stories of the people and communities who have helped Leeds West Indian Carnival along their remarkable 50 year journey.