Manchester’s annual Caribbean Carnival is back for 2024 this weekend to ‘celebrate unity’

One of the best-loved annual events in Manchester’s social calendar is back for 2024 this weekend to “celebrate unity and tradition”.

Manchester Caribbean Carnival has brought the Greater Manchester community together for a family-friendly celebration of Caribbean culture, heritage, and music for close to the last 50 years now, and the community hub of Alexandra Park and the surrounding city streets are set to welcome the massively-popular event once again this weekend.

The annual event has become a staple in the city’s cultural calendar, and is known for showcasing the rich heritage and diversity of the region’s Caribbean and African diaspora.

Tens of thousands people gather each year eager to enjoy two days filled with music, traditional mas bands, dance troupes, steel pans, and a selection of the best food and drink vendors that Manchester has to offer.

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Kicking off from 12pm and running right through until 8pm on both days, with some early-morning events also starting at 7am, this year’s Carnival is promising to be “even more spectacular” than usual, and features a fantastic lineup of events and performances – with headliner, BBC 1XTRA’s Seani B, performing on the main stage on the Sunday (11 August) to bring his dynamic energy and beats to the heart of the celebration.

As well as the early-morning J’ouvert at 7am, the main parade then starts from 12pm outside Alexandra Park on Saturday (10 August), and you can expect to see a “dazzling display” of colour, costumes, and performances as participants take to the streets of Manchester.

Then on the Sunday, the Carnival continues with a diverse array of activities for all ages.

Speaking ahead of the annual event this weekend, Julia Burke, who is the Chair and Project Manager for the Manchester Carnival Together Committee (CIC), commented: “This year’s Manchester Caribbean Carnival is set to be a monumental celebration.

“We are delighted to have Seani B back on the main stage, and look forward to a weekend filled with joy, music, dance, and delicious food.

“The carnival is a symbol of unity, diversity and cultural pride, and we invite everyone to join us in celebrating the vibrant cultures that have shaped our city.”

Read more:

• Manchester’s beloved Caribbean eatery Jerk Junction to open at Trafford Centre
• A family-friendly festival full of FREE interactive activities is happening in Manchester this summer
• You can visit loads of the UK’s best culture and heritage sites for FREE this autumn

Manchester Caribbean Carnival 2024 is happening at Alexandra Park this Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 August.

Find more on the event’s website here.

Featured Image – Supplied