Celebrating the People Who Came #Carnival 2023

Carnival is coming… and we’re getting into the rhythm

75 years ago, the first influx of people from the Caribbean to the UK arrived in London aboard the HMT Empire Windrush. They became known as the Windrush Generation and the anniversary of their arrival is being celebrated at Northampton Carnival next month.

Prepare yourself for spectacular eye-catching costumes, beautifully created floats and vibrant, spirited troupes of performers on the streets of Northampton… yes, the town’s annual carnival is back next month.

This year’s theme promises a memorable and colourful occasion. Celebrating The People Who Came is Northampton’s contribution to the 75th anniversary of the arrival in the UK of the first influx of Caribbean nationals aboard the ship HMT Empire Windrush.

It arrived at the Port of Tilbury in London on June 21 1948 carrying 492 Caribbean migrants - many of them veterans of the Second World War. The ship and its passengers have a symbolic status as the start of the Windrush Generation.

The carnival, revived by Northampton Carnival & Cultural Arts in 2005, aims to deliver another high-quality event that promotes multi-cultural understanding and celebrates the creative and multicultural skills of Northamptonshire and its people.

Costumes

Performances Music

Northampton Carnival is an event for the whole family and continues to grow and develop over the years, attracting crowds of thousands of onlookers along the parade route and at the venue in Racecourse Park.

This year, the park will play host to a range of activities, including a funfair, food stalls catering for all tastes and palates, arts, crafts and the top local talent on the main stage.

And headlining the day is reggae and ska band Reggaematik, which has headlined shows in Holland, Belgium, and Poland. Their music is covers of reggae and ska hits from down the years.

“The community gets totally involved through participating in and attending what is undoubtedly the biggest summer event in Northampton,” says a NCCA spokesman.

Put the date Saturday 10th June in your diary to attend the Northampton Carnival at The Racecourse, Kettering Road, Northampton, NN1 4LG. You won’t want to miss this magical day … the perfect outing for the family!

Find out more at: northamptoncarnival.co.uk