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A quick guide to what’s happening with some of the main carnivals this year
CARNIVALS
INTRODUCTION
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Covid has taken a severe toll on carnivals around the globe, but Soca News has compiled this quick guide to what’s happening with some of the main carnivals this year. We’ve saved you the trouble of having to go and look for them yourself, and pulled together a list on our website, at socanews.com/carnivals
(WHERE RELEVANT, WE’VE USED THE DATE OF THE MAIN EVENT AS AN INDICATOR, ALTHOUGH THE CARNIVAL/FESTIVAL SEASON MAY RUN FOR LONGER.)
KEY
CANCELLED - THERE IS NO PHYSICAL CARNIVAL. VIRTUAL - EXPECT TO SEE VIRTUAL EVENTS. TBC - TO BE CONFIRMED; NO INFORMATION AVAILABLE YET. ALTERED - CARNIVAL IS TAKING IN A DIFFERENT FORMAT. UPCOMING - THE CARNIVAL HAS CONFIRMED THERE WILL BE A PHYSICAL EVENT
SAT 21 AUG HANWELL CARNIVAL
ELTHORNE PARK, W7 2AD STATUS: UPCOMING Believed to be the oldest carnival in London, it started in 1898 and has offered financial support to the Ealing Hospital, formerly known as the Cottage Hospital. It features a parade, Beating the Bounds; a walk that has evolved with the carnival, music, costumes and other carnival goodies.
MON 30 AUG LEEDS WEST INDIAN CARNIVAL
ELTHORNE PARK, W7 2AD STATUS: CANCELLED/ ALTERED This carnival was started as a homesickness cure for new Caribbean migrants to the UK. Billed as the premier carnival in England, it draws a crowd of more than 150,000 people each year. For 2021 the main Carnival will stay virtual but there are some events which will be held in a physical form. SUN 29 - MON 30 AUG NOTTING HILL CARNIVAL
NOTTING HILL, LONDON STATUS: CANCELLED/ALTERED
Starting as a small community event more 50 years ago, this has grown to become one of the largest street festivals in the world. In a statement issued on 18 June, the board at London's Notting Hill Carnival announced that this year's event, which was scheduled for the 29th and 30th August, will no longer take place amid concerns surrounding the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Traditionally, it includes a calypso monarch contest (Thur), steelbands panorama (Sat), J’Ouvert (Sun), Children’s Carnival (Sun) and Adult Carnival (Mon), as well as a hot of fetes and associated event. Please see our article and events listing for descriptions of the various events being held. SAT 4 SEPT MANCHESTER CARNIVAL
ALEXANDRA PARK, MANCHESTER STATUS: ALTERED
Although the main Carnival event has been postponed this year, the new Manchester Carnival Together committee will be delivering a smaller scale event on Saturday 4 September. The family day will be the kickstarter on the road to Carnival 50, and they will endeavour to bring back Manchester Carnival full scale in 2022.
SUN 19 SEPT HACKNEY CARNIVAL
HACKNEY, LONDON STATUS: VIRTUAL
Scheduled to be held on Sunday 19 September, Hackney Carnival will once again go virtual. This year will be the second consecutive time that the eagerly anticipated event will be held in cyberspace rather than on the streets.
