Carnivals, one of the best free events in the UK, allows people from all walks of life and backgrounds take to the streets and join the parade dancing and singing to the music. Click below for more information on Caribbean carnivals around the UK.

ACTON CARNIVAL
July: Acton Carnival takes place every year in July, with around 30 carnival groups that take to the streets, in a spectacle of colour, costume, music and dance. Months of preparation, planning meetings, school and community workshops, costume making and dance rehearsals, in schools, youth and community centres come together to make the spectacle of Carnival.


BALHAM CARNIVAL
August: Sadly, there will be no carnival in 2009. Balham and Tooting carnival hope to be able to run again in 2010 so please continue to show your support and interest for the next Balham and Tooting carnival in 2010.


BIRMINGHAM CARNIVAL
August: Birmingham's biennial carnival is a colourful, festival celebrating African-Caribbean culture, art, food and entertainment. Everyone is welcome at this multicultural celebration, which starts with a fantastic carnival procession from Handsworth Park to Perry Park, led by the new Carnival Queen for 2009.


CARDIFF MAS CARNIVAL
August: SWICA celebrates its 20th Anniversary in 2009 in true carnival style. SWICA's 20th Anniversary Cardiff MAS Carnival : 'Here be Dragons' Now in its 20th Anniversary year, the project returns for an open access three-week MAS camp at the Butetown Youth Pavilion. South Wales Intercultural Community Arts (SWICA) brings the City Centre alive with the 20th Anniversary annual multicultural MAS Carnival featuring hundreds of costumed revellers.


COVENTRY CARIBBEAN FESTIVAL
July: The Coventry Caribbean Festival is held annually at Memorial Park, Coventry, with a live stage featuring well known reggae and soca artists and local acts.


DERBY CARIBBEAN CARNIVAL
July: Derby Carnival brings a taste of the Caribbean to the City for two days each year, live music playing soca reggae, steelpan, with mas costume adding the colour.


HACKNEY CARNIVAL
September: Hackney One Carnival which is part of the Cultural Olympiad, celebrating arts and culture alongside sports in the run up to the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.


LEEDS CARNIVAL
August:The Leeds Carnival, which started in 1967, is organised by the Leeds West Indian Centre is proving to be the next biggest summer event after Notting Hill.


LEICESTER CARIBBEAN CARNIVAL
August: Enjoy one of the biggest street carnivals outside of London, which culminates with celebrations at Victoria Park. Lots to see & do at this great event which caters for the entire family.


LUTON INTERNATIONAL CARNIVAL
May: Luton's hottest multicultural summer event. Luton Carnival, held in May during the Spring Bank holiday each year, began in 1976, and has become hugely successful over the years. A number of different groups, clubs, schools, societies and communities get involved, bringing a diverse mix of arts, music and culture.


MANCHESTER CARNIVAL
July: Manchester Carnival has brought Caribbean culture to the forefront, annually for over 30 years, and is the North West’s largest celebration of Caribbean music and carnival arts.


NOTTING HILL CARNIVAL
August: Every year Notting Hill in West London plays host to one of the largest festivals in Europe. It isn't just something to watch, but a huge street party where everyone is invited to join in. Up to one million carnival revellers crowd this neighbourhood every year during the festival,


NORTHAMPTON CARNIVAL
July: The Northampton Carnival was reinvented by a selection of people back in 2005, and based on the last few years performances has the potential to stay and carry on the carnival spirit shown, by some of the more established carnivals in the UK like Leeds, Notting Hill & Luton.


NOTTINGHAM CARIBBEAN CARNIVAL
July: Experience the sights and sounds of the Caribbean as Nottingham Caribbean Carnival comes to town


PRESTON CARNIVAL
May: Preston City Caribbean carnival 2008, is one of the largest and longest running cultural celebration in Preston, attracting tens of thousands of visitors each year.


READING CARNIVAL
May: May Bank holiday's Reading Community Carnival 2009 will be the The 32nd annual Carnival, showcasing carnival culture, with the sounds of soca and calypso.


RYDE CARNIVAL
August: Carnival in the Isle of Wight.


St PAULS CARNIVAL
July: Every June, Tottenham comes together in the spirit of community and togetherness for the Festival & Carnival.


TOTTENHAM CARNIVAL
June: Every June, Tottenham comes together in the spirit of community and togetherness for the Festival & Carnival.