Our Heritage and Stories
Since the 1970s, the heart of Moss Side has pulsed with the vibrant rhythm of Caribbean culture. Generations of islanders ignited a movement, a powerful act of unity that swept across Manchester. What began as a handful of trucks and a dream has exploded into a breathtaking spectacle, a weekend where tens of thousands dance, celebrate, and feast on the soul of the Caribbean. Witness the incredible journey, the transformation, the sheer power of community!
And, most importantly, listen to the voices of our elders, the keepers of Carnival’s flame, as they share their unforgettable stories.
Alexander Herbert “Peddy”
has been an integral part of Carnival for its duration. Carnival is in Peddys Soul, his house even today is an array of costumes and carnival history. Peddy was famous for walking around Manchester in his sparkly jackets and matching hats, a constant memory of home and the thing he loves the most ….Carnival. Peddy has produced some of the finest troupes on the road over the years.
Junior Grant BEM
Roy Grant better known as Junior is known in the community for his desire to help others and build positive community relationships. Junior is also a massive fan of Carnival and would regularly travel around the country to different cities whilst working with Western Union and Jamaica National. Incidentally, his first experience of Carnival was in his 40s. Junior has just been awarded a BEM for his services to the community. He has the prestigious Job this year of leading the parade driving our most prized community asset, our elders.
Barbarine Gordon
Loves all things Jamaican, very proud of her heritage and African roots. Barbarine is a member of the Jamaica society Manchester and also is the Chair of the Trafford African Caribbean Care Group which meet once a week at St John’s Church Old Trafford and has done so for many years.
Councillor Whit Stennet
Councillor Whit Stennet is a stalwart of the Trafford Community and has lived here since his arrival to the UK. He has championed the causes of the Caribbean Community of Manchester and was the first Black Lord Mayor. He is an avid cricket fan and a trusted member of the Lancashire County Cricket Club. Whit is also involved in the Jamaica Society Manchester and has been instrumental in supporting the Caribbean Carnival of Manchester over the years.
Carnival In The Community
Witness the profound impact the Carnival has had on countless lives, fostering unity, nurturing creativity, and igniting cultural expression. Let the kaleidoscope of colors in our gallery and the diversity of voices in the audio stories transport you to the heart of this extraordinary celebration.
This captivating glimpse of Carnival through time would not have been possible without the invaluable support of the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Their generous contribution has enabled us to preserve and share the legacy of the Manchester Caribbean Carnival, ensuring its spirit continues to inspire generations to come.
Images of Carnival
Dive into this collage of moments captured through the years, where dazzling costumes, jubilant faces, and the electric energy of Carnival come alive. Witness the evolution of this iconic celebration through a visual journey, from its humble beginnings to the grand spectacle it is today.
Audio Stories
What does Carnival truly mean? In 2025, with vital funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, we set out to answer that question, gathering the precious memories and reflections of our diverse community. These stories, give us a glimpse of what Carnival has meant to people. Prepare to be inspired by the power of these voices!
Alvet
Alvet used to go to the carnival regularly as he lived in Moss Side – he stopped going but came last year for the first time in 30 years as he waned to show his girlfriend what the carnival is about.
Anderson
Anderson is a rap artist who has performed at the carnival multiple times over the years.
Andy
Andy is a local man who first went to the Carnival as a child with his parents and still goes as an adult.
Anessia
Anessia used to make costumes and she was involved in the background. She explains the spiritual and historical meaning of the carnival.
Annette
Annette is the daughter of Joe Leader who was one of the founding steel drums men and organised much of the steel band performances. He took her along to the Carnival from a very young age and its only been the last few years since age has caught up with her that she has stopped going.
Butterfly Sue
Butterfly Sue is a regular attendee at carnival and once helped cook food for one of the stalls.
Clair
Clair is of White British heritage and is not from Manchester originally, but when she came to live in Moss Side, she developed a love of the carnival and it even helped heal a family rift.
Dennis
Dennis is a British born Jamaican who is a heritage film maker. He has filmed the carnival over the years and more recently, for social media.
Junior
Junior is a young guy from Barbados who hasn’t been in Britain long. He goes to the carnival every year and gave us a comparison between Manchester and Barbados carnivals.
Kevin
Kevin’s biological Dad was Peddy who had much to do with the costumes that were made for the Carnival . Sadly, Peddy had little to do with Kevin, but it hasn’t stopped Kevin from being a huge carnival and steel band lover.
Laurenne
Laurenne was taken as a child by her Grandfather who was from St Kitt’s but when he died she had no one to take her. In the last few years has regained her passion and has started going again.
Lee-Ann
Lee-Ann is a local councillor and used to make dresses and take part in the parade as a child.
Loz
Loz provides a child’s dance group for the carnival each year. She talks about the joys and challenges of working with the children’s dance group.
Michael H
Michael is well known locally as a chef and restaurant owner. He has had a food stall at the carnival many times.
Nathan
Nathan went for the first time in 2018 as a school boy with a group of school friends and goes every year.
Pat
Pat has been to almost every carnival there has ever been!
Ronnie
Ronnie has been going to carnival since his childhood and he has even played in a band at the carnival a few times.
Sinclair
Sinclair is St Kitt’s born but has lived in Manchester since the age of 9. He is a regular at carnival since being taken to it by his Mum.
Tony
Tony Thomas lives in Moss Side and has been to carnival regularly over the years. He lived next door to Alexandra Park as a child.
Exhibition Tour 2025
February 2025 saw Manchester Central Library ignite with Caribbean Carnival costumes made by local troupes. The exhibition’s final stop on the tour was Central Library’s Shakespeare entrance where the logos were prominently displayed to showcase local costume makers and the Manchester Caribbean Carnival. The tour was made possible by the National Lottery Heritage Fund’s commitment to preserving and sharing our cultural legacy.
Melanin Markets
A group of heritage entrepreneurs had a presence at Manchester Caribbean Carnival 2024. Here we shine a spotlight on Melanin Markets:
Come with us to @mcrcarnival. It was such a heart filled weekend of basking in the sunshine, sound systems full blast, jerk drums smoking, the buzz of “long time how you doing” & “watchaa pull it up nuh” all around us! There’s few things in this life that give you the same feeling as when we all come out to celebrate our heritage. It also felt like a strong moment of community resistance to the madness we’ve been facing in our cities recently.
The week before carnival, we were shouted by them to host a couple of stalls, and after lots of running around, seeing the Melanin Markets flag flying high felt good. We can’t wait to announce a future solid collaboration, because the origins of Manchester carnival runs so deep, it was built by the community for the community, to reclaim, celebrate, showcase, rise up, stand up… so yes when the time & circumstance is right, best believe we will showing out in true Melanin Markets style! But for now, we gotta continue to support & show love to the hard-working, driven businesses & organisers that continue to host these huge events.