St Pauls Carnival set to return with scaled back events
Organisers announce St Pauls Carnival’s 2022 live return with smaller community-focused events
Last updated 3rd Mar 2022
St Pauls carnival, one of the city’s most-loved events will return to Bristol this year after a 3-year hiatus. The Covid-19 Pandemic has meant since 2019 the event has been held online.
The famous procession will still not feature in this year’s carnival with the organisers choosing to hold smaller events throughout the city instead.
Executive Director LaToya McAllister-Jones said despite a welcome return they “have to be a responsible organisation”.
When speaking on the effects of the pandemic McAllister Jones also said:
“While we hoped to be able to bring the full, vibrant celebrations of St Pauls Carnival back to the streets this year; the ongoing uncertainty around the pandemic has impacted our planned arrangements and scheduled fundraising events.
“We are also mindful that there is still much sensitivity in the community around COVID-19.
"However, Carnival season ’22 will not go uncelebrated.
“We are putting together a two-week series of events which will be open to everyone who wants to celebrate with us.”
St Pauls carnival has existed in various names since 1968 and celebrates the area’s diversity with music, dance, and food.
A full programme containing the carnival’s two-week schedule is yet to be published. However, it is expected that the organisers will host various shows to engage the local community.
When speaking about the carnival’s return McAllister-Jones said, “It’s fantastic, I’m very excited that we’re able to be live”.
An official release outlining the confirmed events included a takeover at Lost Horizon, Family Picnic in St Pauls and a Community-focused event held at the Malcolm X Centre. However, when speaking with us McAllister-Jones also confirmed the following:
- Windrush Library – celebrating the Windrush Generation by allowing Bristolians to borrow from a large library of books
- Brunch to our elders – This will take place on the morning of carnival day
- Sustainable costume making
- Sustainable model making
- Film screening in partnership with St Monica Trust
Announcements were also made that the carnival will, in part, focus on the 60th anniversary of Jamaica’s independence.