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.

Deadline for registration is Friday 7th April In this historical 50th anniversary year, we anticipate that troupe and costume participation will be bigger than ever and already have huge interest from across the UK and beyond. By registering early we will be able to plan and make the best arrangements we can for what looks set to be the most anticipated Carnival in our 50 year history. To register please download the form and email it to participate@leedscarnival.co.uk or post to Leeds West Indian Carnival, 82 Sheepscar Street North, Leeds LS7 3AF. Fill in the online form here or Click below to Continue Reading

We’re delighted to say that as part of our 50th anniversary celebrations, we have been awarded an Our Heritage grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for the Leeds Carnival 50 Heritage project which will showcase the Carnival’s heritage and history this year.

The countdown is on! May 21st marks 100 days to Leeds West Indian Carnival 2016! We’re expecting another bumper year on Bank Holiday Monday 29th August with thousands expected for the unrivalled atmosphere, great music, and food, not to mention the sparkling parade of floats and hundreds of stunning costumes from across the UK.