Heritage of Carnival
Take a look back at Carnival’s heritage. Established in 1972, the Manchester Caribbean Carnival is an annual celebration of Caribbean culture that grows stronger and stronger each year. This is despite the challenges that the Carnival, and society in Manchester and beyond, have endured over the years.
Join us in looking back at what makes Manchester Caribbean Carnival such a resilient and long lasting project.
About Us
Manchester Caribbean Carnival is an annual festival that brings Caribbean flavour and revelry to Manchester. For one weekend every August the sounds of Reggae, Calypso and Soca are pumped across the cityscape. These sounds can be heard from Alexandra Park via powerful sound systems.
The procession brings traffic to a halt with its infectious rhythms of song and dance that infuse the carnival procession. The parade includes steel bands, floats with DJs, and dance troupes with carnival queens and princesses. The elaborate costumes and folklore characters turn Manchester into the Caribbean – without the weather of course!
Our History
Moss Side is an area of Manchester with a long African and Caribbean history. It was popular with African seamen during and after both world wars. Elders say that a fair few African-American servicemen “fetched up” there after World War Two.
Come the 1950s and ‘60s, a new wave of settlers arriving from the Caribbean contributed to the district’s multicultural feel.
There’s some disagreement as to precisely when the carnival started. Some say it was the summer of 1970, others say 1971. What is certain is that a group of locals – mostly of St Kits & Nevis and Trinidadian origin, decided to throw an impromptu procession through the streets. That first procession was a reminder of what they did back home. Every year since, traditional mas bands, dance troupes and floats have formed a parade. The main parade and the Jouvert early morning parade snake through neighbouring Hulme and Moss Side. Both parades are held on the Saturday of carnival weekend.
The procession ends up in the park for a party of community events, serious sound systems and incredible food.
Heritage and Stories of Carnival
We celebrate those elders who started Carnival in 1972, those who have worked tirelessly over the years to ensure that Carnival survived and thrived during difficult social, economic and political times. In addition, we celebrate those who have shared their skills and knowledge with younger generations. Manchester Caribbean Carnival would not exist today without them.