Luton International Carnival Made a Magical Return to the Streets of Luton!

Luton International Carnival made a spectacular return to Luton Town centre as part of the Jubilee weekend celebrations. The UK Centre for Carnival Arts hosted twenty-seven groups making up the 800-person parade which brought a display of colourful costumes, music and dance to the streets. Not even the rain could stop the thousands of families eagerly lining the streets along the parade route and greeting roaming dinosaurs and stilt-walking sea life on St George's Square. The sun came out just in time for the parade's start, which saw the crowds swell to join Luton's biggest street party. 

The Parade was started by the Mayor of Luton - Sameera Saleem, the Lord Lieutenant of Bedfordshire, Chair of Luton Rising, Javeria Hussain, local Cllrs Summara Khurshid and Deputy Chief Constable - Trevor Rodenhurst, showing the town's support for the much-loved community event. 

Luton Deadpool, Cllr Summara Khurshid, Chair of Luton Rising Cllr Javeria Hussain, Lord Lieutenant of Bedfordshire and Deputy Chief Constable - Trevor Rodenhurst

The Mayor of Luton, Cllr Sameera Saleem, Said, "If there is anything that shows the delight Lutonians take in their cultural diversity more than the Carnival, I've yet to hear about it. It was wonderful to see so many people taking part and watching the celebration of who we are. As ever, the costumes were stunning, the music irresistibly foot-tapping, and the smiles infectious. For one glorious June afternoon, it seemed as though the whole world had come to town, bringing laughter, colour, energy and fun for us all. I am proud to be Mayor of such a welcoming, vibrant place that embraces its differences and makes everyone, irrespective of who they are, truly feel at home." 

Cllr Javeria Hussain, Chair of primary funder Luton Rising said, "What an amazing carnival it was this year. It was so great to see so many families and friends making the most of the long-awaited returning Carnival and the extended Jubilee weekend too.  Great music and costumes as always, and the energy from people this year was tangible; even the sun came out eventually.

I hope everyone enjoyed it as much as I did.  The event was a superb success, and Luton Rising is delighted to have helped support it and make it happen in conjunction with Luton Borough Council, UK Centre for Carnival Arts and everyone involved in making it happen". 

The Lord-Lieutenant said, "I was overjoyed to be with the Luton Carnival and to greet all the fantastic organisations from our wonderful town who were taking part. I have never felt more proud of the extraordinarily diverse talents of Luton people and the genuine warmth and friendship they have for each other. Luton people are an example for the rest of the world in how to blend traditions together to make vibrant and loving communities where all can feel welcome and valued ". 

Local carnival group St Kitts, Nevis and Friends led the parade, joined by members of disability support service Community Choices and Robin Porter, Chief Executive, Luton Council. Based on this year's theme, 'Our World, Our Future,' Robin's costume was designed around a mobility scooter after he broke his leg just weeks before the event – nothing was going to stop Robin taking part!.  

Robin Porter, Chief Executive of Luton Council

Robin Porter said, “I was overjoyed to be had the opportunity to participate in this year’s Luton International Carnival. Saturday had such a positive energy and vibe, and it was fantastic to be able to welcome the Carnival back into Luton's Town Centre. As the home of the UK Centre for Carnival Arts, we are proud of our linkage to Carnival and look forward to continuing to grow its reach to showcase some of Luton's amazing talents alongside national and international artists.”  

The VIPs, a Luton-based support group for people with visual impairment

Not far behind were the VIPs, a Luton-based support group for people with visual impairment. The band members wore beautiful Butterfly wings navigating the accessible parade route with ease. 

Professional Carnival groups also featured in the parade with jaw-dropping costumes and performances from renowned Luton-based group Rampage Mas Band, featuring young local talent. Antoin Akkpom Achievements foundation, Carambola Arts, Xtreme Mas and Sensational Vibes from Leicester Carnival collaborated in tribute to legendry costume designer and forefather of Luton Carnival, Lincoln Rahamut, with a mesmerising showcase of some of his iconic costumes. Paraiso School of Samba, a lead samba band that feature in Notting Hill gave a show stopping performance accompanied by traditional Brazialian dancers.  

Children from Luton's Afghan refugee community

There were some poignant first-time entries by local community and youth groups. Carnival group, ALIF New Beginnings, supported children from Luton's Afghan refugee community to experience Luton Carnival for the first time after being in the country for less than a year. Tokko Youth Space's OK2B Group, accompanied by the newly formed Pride In Luton, made their first appearance at Carnival. Young members of OK2B worked with UK Centre for Carnival Arts (UKCCA) to design and make costumes representing the LGBTQ+ community showcasing them in Carnival. UKCCA will continue to support both groups to   prepare a second showcase in Luton's first Pride event on the 25th of June. 

Lizzie Bottrill Tokko Youth Leader, Andy Clavert Former Director of Tokko with members of OK2B youth group

Michael Nanton-Knight and Kelsie Holdstock, Co-chairs of Pride In Luton, said, "It was fantastic to join Carnival on Saturday. This was Pride in Luton's first public appearance since we formed as a group. The atmosphere was electric.  

We can't thank the team at UKCCA enough for their support and allyship to the LGBTQ+ community in Luton and making us feel welcome and included. We continue to look forward to working with them going forward to build an inclusive Luton for everyone." 

Lizzie Bottrill, Tokko Youth Leader, said, "We absolutely loved the opportunity to take part, especially as it was the first time the LGBTQ+ community has been represented – what an honour! Many of our group had no idea what it would involve, but the UKCCA artists were absolutely phenomenal in helping our young people bring their ideas to life." 

Student from Chantry Primary Academy

Students from Chantry Primary Academy had a fantastic day showcasing their African culture-inspired costumes they designed and made as part of UKCCA's National Children's Carnival week. Chantry student Daniel, aged 10 said, “I loved taking part in the carnival, especially as it was in my home town! All the vibrant colours, the breath-taking costumes and high energy levels made it an amazing day and I’m so glad I got to take part- it’s not something I’d normally do but it was awesome!” 

Chair of UKCCA, Hopeton Walker, said, "It was a joy to see carnival return to the centre of Luton this year, to celebrate the Queens Platinum Jubilee; our emergence from shadows of Covid-19; and a celebration of our commonwealth as the diverse community of Luton. A huge thank you to our primary funders Luton Rising and Arts Council England, who made this event possible. Thanks also to our schools and carnival community, and all those who worked in the background to ensure that we had a fabulous and safe event. Thanks also to Hazel Simmons, Leader of Luton council and Robin Porter, Chief Executive of Luton Council, and the staff for your support in making the event possible. Now that we have returned to the town centre, there we will stay cementing Luton International Carnival as an event for all. We were looking forward to LIC 2023.” 

Young performer from Rampage Mas Band

 The carnival celebrations didn't end on Saturday. Students from Chantry Primary Academy, Southfield Academy and Whitefield Academy accompanied members from Luton groups Rampage Mas Band, Victorious Mas Band, St Kitts, Nevis and Friends, Luton Sickle Cell Thalassaemia Mas Band and the UKCCA team to support the internationally renowned Mahogany Carnival Arts in the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Pageant in London on Sunday. This made the Jubilee weekend a truly historic carnival weekend for Luton. Courtesy of the spirit of inclusion demonstrated by the its Associate Artistic Director, Clary Salanday, UKCCA is very proud to be able to support Luton’s representation in such a historical event and to help Luton’s children, artists and residents enjoy the tremendous benefits resulting from participation in carnival activities.  Jamie Kelly, Deputy Head of Chantry Primary Academy, said, "It was utterly amazing. The children enjoyed it so much and were still dancing on the coach on the way home. It was absolutely one of the best things I've ever experienced with a group of children."  

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.