St Pauls Carnival to bring the spirit of carnival to Bristol Harbour Festival for the first time

This July, two of Bristol’s most iconic events will unite for the first time in a landmark creative partnership. On Saturday 19 July, St Pauls Carnival will bring the spirit, sound and soul of Carnival to the Dance Tent on Queen Square at Bristol Harbour Festival, creating a shared stage that celebrates the city’s rich heritage and vibrancy. The artistic alliance blends two long-standing traditions, reaffirming the role both celebrations play in shaping Bristol’s cultural identity.

The Harbour Festival stage takeover will serve as a bold and creative expression of the Carnival’s enduring spirit. Through an evening of live performances, spoken word, music and dance on Saturday 19 July, St Pauls Carnival will deliver a rich tapestry of Caribbean artistry that reflects the depth and dynamism of its cultural heritage.

As Dr Michele Curtis, Chair of St Pauls Carnival, explains:

“This year’s theme, ‘Roots of Resistance’, is all about honouring where we’ve come from while boldly stepping into the future and what better way to do that than by bringing the vibrant spirit of St Pauls Carnival to the heart of the city through the Harbour Festival. This partnership is a powerful moment for Bristol. It shows just how far we’ve come in recognising the value of African Caribbean culture as a vital part of the city’s identity. St Pauls Carnival has always been a celebration of culture, creativity, and community - and now, with this city-wide platform, we’re amplifying those roots louder than ever. This is more than a collaboration; it’s a milestone worth celebrating.”

Cllr Tony Dyer, Leader of Bristol City Council said:

“The partnership between St Pauls Carnival and Bristol Harbour Festival represents the very best of what our city stands for - unity through culture, creativity and community spirit. These two festivals are not only highlights in Bristol’s cultural calendar, they are expressions of who we are as a city: proud of our diversity, bold in our creativity and committed to celebrating it in public, joyful ways. This collaboration is a powerful example of how the cultural sector can remain resilient through reinvention and working together. I’m proud to see Bristol leading the way with a shared stage that reflects the energy, artistry and heritage of our communities. This is culture in action - and everyone’s invited.”

The programme begins at 6.30pm with a vibrant Schools Takeover, placing young voices and future creatives centre stage, affirming the Carnival’s commitment to nurturing community participation and cultural education from an early age. From 7pm, acclaimed spoken word artists including lyricist, poet, MC and recording artist Rider Shafique, Shakara and more will bring powerful poetic narratives to life offering pieces rooted in identity, activism and lived experience that reflect the social consciousness at the heart of Carnival culture.

Rider Shafique. Credit: Sarah Koury

From 7.30pm, the energy shifts with performances from local DJs Khadijah Palmer, Bristol DJ, producer and singer Anything But Becky and high-octane sets from DJ Lexxi – each bringing their own bold voice and distinctive sound to the celebration, amplifying the rhythm, creativity and unapologetic expression that define the spirit of Carnival. Expect infectious beats, and familiar carnival vibes from the next generation of party starters. Hosted by Bandyt, a longstanding friend of Carnival with his Bristol community ties and broadcast experience, the stage will become a space of collective celebration – a living tribute to community strength and creative resilience.

Anything But Becky

This collaboration comes at a pivotal moment. After a triumphant return to the streets in 2023, St Pauls Carnival has adopted a biennial delivery model to ensure its future. While 2025 was initially intended to be a full-scale Carnival year, the organisation has taken the strategic decision to deliver a smaller programme in light of continued sector-wide financial pressures.

This unprecedented stage takeover marks more than a performance. It is a meaningful convergence of Bristol’s creative communities – a moment where two celebrated events join forces to share platform, audience and purpose. It affirms the city’s cultural resilience and highlights how reinvention can serve legacy, enabling institutions like St Pauls Carnival to remain vital and visible even through change.

Through music, poetry and dance, St Pauls Carnival at the Bristol Harbour Festival will stand as a statement of collaboration, continuity and collective celebration – a harbourside expression of everything Carnival represents.

With hundreds of thousands of attendees expected, the Bristol Harbour Festival remains a key event in the city’s cultural calendar, celebrating its maritime heritage through live music, dance and performance. This year’s festival takes place from Friday 18 to Sunday 20 July 2025 and is being produced by Proud Events in partnership with Swans Events, with Bristol City Council, Bristol City Centre Business Improvement District (BID) and Redcliffe & Temple BID playing key roles in supporting the event

For more information on the Bristol Harbour Festival, head to the website for all the latest line-up and performance information and Follow the event on Facebook, Instagram and X.

Events - Press Releases

As Dr Michele Curtis, Chair of St Pauls Carnival, explains:

Cllr Tony Dyer, Leader of Bristol City Council said:

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