St Paul's Carnival announces plans for 2025

Bristol’s iconic celebration of African-Caribbean culture, St Pauls Carnival, will return this summer with a scaled back series of events celebrating the timely theme of ‘Roots of Resistance.' 

This year marks the 60th anniversary of the Race Relations Act 1965, and to celebrate this momentous act, St Pauls Carnival has dedicated its 2025 programme to honouring the legacy of activists throughout Bristol's history who have fuelled activism in the city.

Image: St Paul's Carnival Elders' Breakfast

This celebration will be delivered through the Back A Yard Programme. ‘Back A Yard’ is a traditional Jamaican phrase that typically means ‘back home’ or ‘where I’m from’. Through this cultural expression, the Back A Yard programme will take the carnival back to its roots of activism, which contributed to shaping the UK’s first Race Relations Act.

The 2025 programme will include a range of cultural events across St Pauls, from live music and spoken word from thriving Bristol talent to family activities and talks exploring the rich social and political roots of the carnival we know today. In addition the programme will also feature a series of party events, offering a taste of carnival through song and dance with headliners set to be announced at a later date. 

Image: St Paul's Carnival 

Commenting on 2025’s programme, LaToyah McAllister-Jones, Executive Director, said: “We're excited to bring Back A Yard to Bristol, celebrating our roots and the journey that led us here. This year, we're highlighting the activism at the heart of the carnival, sharing our community's legacy with all generations and paving the way for the future.

“Fundraising is crucial to cementing the future of St Pauls Carnival and our 2025 Back A Yard programme will be a key driver of this to help ensure the future of Bristol’s most beloved vibrant celebration of African-Caribbean culture. In prior full Carnival years, over 120,000 people have attended and contributed over £9.2 million to the local economy. The cost to produce the full, free, street event is over half a million pounds and we rely on support from sponsors and community donations to try and raise this amount to be able to bring Carnival back in all its glory to the streets of St Pauls in the future.”

Tickets for the Back A Yard programme are now available to purchase here. Contributions will support the St Pauls Carnival fundraiser throughout 2025 contributing to Carnival activity for following years.

Windrush Human Library (6PM - 8PM on Thursday 19 June at Circomedia)

Kickstarting the Back A Yard programme and in the lead-up to the celebration of the iconic Windrush Day on 22 June, marking the arrival of African-Caribbean immigrants to the shores of Britain, St Pauls Carnival will be celebrating by hosting a Windrush Library event at Circomedia. Attendees will be taken through the stories from the Windrush generation and reflections on the carnival's history, its evolution, and contribution to UK culture.

Elders’ Brunch (10AM - 12PM on Saturday 5 July at Circomedia)

Following annual tradition, carnival day will begin with its Elders’ Brunch. This is an exclusive event that will bring together the community elders from across the city who have contributed to the legacy of the carnival and the St Pauls area to celebrate with a delicious brunch.

St Pauls Carnival Presents Back A Yard - Celebrating Community (12PM - 8PM on Saturday 5th July at the Malcolm X Centre)

Carnival day will continue with a ‘celebrating community’ extravaganza event at the Malcolm X Centre located in the heart of St Pauls. This event welcomes families to gather and enjoy delicious carnival food from the islands. The day will also feature a range of activities for kids and parents to get involved in, as well as some special performances from local schools as part of the St Pauls Carnival education programme. This main event is one not to miss!

Emerging Youth Performances (12PM - 6PM on Saturday 5 July at Docklands)

The celebration of the youth and next generation is central to the annual carnival event. Throughout carnival day there will be a showcase of city talent, local youth organisations and emerging artists on show in the heart of the community.

Carnival day will also feature a variety of exciting party events throughout the local area, inviting attendees to dance and enjoy the signature afro-diasporic carnival sounds. These events include:

• Back a Yard day party at Lost Horizon (2PM - 9PM on Saturday 5 July)
• Back a Yard carnival party at Lakota (2PM - 4AM on Saturday 5 July)
• Back A Yard Back a Yard After Party with Bootybass at Circomedia (8PM - 2AM)

The Back A Yard programme reinforces St Pauls Carnival’s commitment to year-round engagement, cultural education, and community-led creativity. Contributions and funds raised as part of the Back A Yard event series and throughout 2025 will ensure St Pauls Carnival can deliver a full carnival event in 2026.

Tickets for the Back A Yard event series can be purchased here, to donate to the St Pauls Carnival, follow this link.