Luton International Carnival is Back in Town!
Press release: 9th May 2022
Luton International Carnival makes a historic return to Luton town centre on Saturday 4th June as part of the town's Jubilee weekend celebrations.
After a 2-year hiatus due to the pandemic and 7 years since the parade route came through the town centre, this year's Luton International Carnival will make a welcomed return with a new town centre route from Manor Park to St George's Square (subject to licence). The parade promises a spectacle of costumes, music and dance with professional groups from Luton, across the UK and special guests from Germany. The parade will also feature Luton Council’s Leader Cllr Hazel Simmons, Deputy Leader Cllr Aslam Khan and Chief Executive Robin Porter, in costume along with local amateur groups, schools and charities, offering a true snapshot of our diverse and inclusive community.
This year's theme is 'Our World, Our Future', giving groups a wide range of creative expression and interpretation from celebrating the Queens Platinum Jubilee, the Commonwealth, and the beauty of nature to climate change and aspirations for our future. UKCCA Associate Artistic Director Clary Salandy commented, "Carnival in Luton is an amazing participatory and inclusive experience. Our mission is to enrich the culture of Luton by presenting the highest quality Carnival Arts created in the heart of our diverse community. Carnival is for all, so we hope everyone will come along and enjoy the event."
The UK Centre for Carnival Arts (UKCCA), is excited to be back on the road hosting the 46th Luton International Carnival with support from primary funder Luton Rising. Other funders and supporters in the town Luton BID, Luton Council, Love Luton and The Mall. But it would not be possible without the hundreds of returning volunteers who will take to the streets on the 4th June to support the parade making a special day for all the family.
Everyone is invited to Luton's biggest free family event; for more information, visit here or check our UKCCA's Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
If you or your group would like to enter this year's parade, visit here to download an entry pack.
A big thank you to this year’s primary funder Luton Rising, without who’s support the carnival would not have been possible.
We would also like to thank our other funders and supporters including Arts Council England, Luton BID, Love Luton, The Mall Luton, and Luton Irish Forum.
Also a huge thank you to the hundreds of returning volunteers who took to the streets to support the parade, making it a really special day for thousands of families.