Leeds Carnival: 50 years of celebrations

We're being advised to plan our journeys with road closures in place.

Published 25th Aug 2017
Last updated 25th Aug 2017

Leeds West Indian Carnival's celebrating its 50th year, and it's set to be the biggest one yet.

A number of events have taken place around Leeds in the run-up to the parade, which kicks off on August Bank Holiday Monday.

The event promises to be more colourful than ever, with a dazzling array of costumes on display, and spectators encouraged to take to the streets and dance.

History

The Leeds West Indian Carnival has humble beginnings, and started in 1967 when founder Arthur France invited the then West Yorkshire Police Chief Constable to his flat to discuss plans for the first ever parade. Just a few thousand people attended.

By the 1980s the carnival grew immensely in popularity, and in 1982 the route went through the city centre for the first time, and 1983 the route we know now was first taken.

By 2016, the event saw record crowds flocking to it, with 160,000 people packing out Chapletown.

Route

This year's procession starts and finishes in Potternewton Park and will do a route around Chapletown.

People in the area are being advised to plan their journey in and out of the city ahead of time, as a number of roads will be closed between 5pm Sunday (27th August) until 7:30am on Tuesday (29th August).

Chapeltown Road, Harehills Avenue and Avenue Hill will all be affected.

SCHEDULE 1 - Monday 28/8/17 05.00hrs to Tuesday 29/8/17 05.30hrs

Roads to be closed to secure safe space for participants and spectators before, during and after the carnival procession:

Chapeltown Road

From Barrack Road to Newton Road

Harehills Avenue

From Chapeltown Road to Avenue Hill

Avenue Hill

The Whole

SCHEDULE 2 - Sunday 27/8/17 17.00hrs to Tuesday 29/8/17 07.30hrs

Lengths of roads to be closed to secure safe space for participants and spectators before, during and after the carnival procession:

Saville Drive