Welcome & Ethos
Welcome to 49th Luton International Carnival
(12 noon – 6 pm). Luton Town Centre, LUI
Hosted by the UK Centre for Carnival Arts (UKCCA)
Check out our video from last year’s Carnival for a taster of this year’s festivities!
Here at UKCCA we’re all about creating fun, family-friendly events that celebrate Luton’s amazing diversity. We love working with young people and adults who might not have as many opportunities to get involved.
Whether you’re a lifelong resident or new to Luton, there’s a place for everyone at our events! We believe in building bridges between communities and cultures, of all races, religions, backgrounds and abilities.
The Luton International Carnival is a perfect example of this. It’s a vibrant mix of fun, traditions, and friendly faces, all wrapped up into one incredible day. Think of it as one big giant, happy eco-system of family fun.
Get ready for a trip, Luton!
Get ready to jump in your time machine and accelerate to 88mph because this year’s Luton International Carnival’s electrifying theme is ‘Back to the Future’!
Our Luton Association of Mas (costume) Bands, schools, and amazing community groups will be pulling out all the stops with fantastically futuristic costumes that will have you looking for your flux capacitor!
You’ll see local Luton costume bands leading the way, like UKCCA’s own Mas Incorporated, alongside Pride in Luton, Luton Council, Luton Town Football Club, and local schools and community groups. We’ve also got bands from all over the UK, like Mas Africa from London, Zodiac All Stars from Nottingham, Original Step Performers from Leicester, and All New Beginnings from London, and graduates of UKCCA’s artistic development programme.
With approximately 800 participants ready to strut their stuff, this year’s parade promises to be a kaleidoscopic celebration of Luton’s diverse community. Don’t miss this chance to witness Luton’s most vibrant cultural event as it dances between yesterday, today, and tomorrow!
Get ready for a carnival extravaganza!
We're thrilled to welcome amazing bands and costumed paraders from our sister events across the UK, including Notting Hill, Nottingham, Leicester, Leeds and Manchester.
The fun doesn't stop there! The Step Forward Luton Chill Out Area will be here, along with a host of other fun activities. Keep an eye on the website for more updates.
And to tantalize your taste buds, we'll have a global cultural festival of food and crafts stalls. Come hungry and ready to explore!
Luton Carnival announces our amazing Champion for 2025!
We were so lucky to have local actor Colin Salmon and his wife, artist Fiona Hawthorne, grace our Luton International Carnival last year, and we're thrilled to announce they have returned for an encore performance as our champions for 2025!
This fantastic couple will be using their power to spread the word about the carnival on social media. But that's not all! They're also bringing their steel band, UFO, to add some lively tunes to the Luton International Carnival's Acoustic Steel Pan Zone.
Get ready for a carnival full of music, community spirit, and maybe even a glimpse of some local celebrities!
Luton Carnival has gone green!
Following on from the success of last year, Luton International Carnival is once again leading the way on creating eco-friendly fun family events and this year’s parade will be no exception. From costumes hand-crafted using recycled materials, to bikes and push-and-pull floats powered by unique electric speakers, we’re committed to delivering fun events that are kinder to our planet.
We're passionate about protecting the environment, and thanks to a grant from the Greener Futures Fund, we're making big strides. Our very own Board Member, Louise Allen, is leading the charge as our Green Board Champion. She's working hard to make the Luton International Carnival a model for green events and share what we learn with other Luton celebrations.
So, join us for a carnival that's good for the community and good for the planet!
To receive up-to-date information – stay connected on our socials, & news.
A big shout-out to our amazing supporters!
We couldn't put on this incredible carnival without the help of our fantastic funders, sponsors, and partners. Theirsupport makes it all possible! Thank you for being part of the Luton International Carnival family!