Luton International Carnival 2023 continues the town's party

The glorious sunshine made the carnival a perfect day out for families who enjoyed pre-parade entrainment from life-sized roaming dinosaurs and a Moko Jumbie, a traditional Caribbean stilt-walking carnival character. The performer, Carnival Lazarus, placed first in Trinidad Carnival 2023 and enjoyed his time entertaining the audience in Luton. A fantastic interactive performance from Next Generation Youth Theatre’s Taleshakers show that got the crowds going with a conga line around St George’s Square.  

New entertainment areas at the Hat District and Hat Gardens hosted a wealth of family fun with an immersive Under the Sea storytelling area at the Hat Factory with local storyteller Aaron Spendelow and set designer Lauren Connolly. Aaron said, “It has been great for me and Lauren to collaborate with UKCCA to develop the new show. Storytelling is a big part of the carnival, and it is fantastic to work with local carnival artists to give this a carnival twist. Families really enjoyed themselves and we hope to develop more storytelling areas next year.” 

Outside in the Hat District children danced with giant traditional Caribbean and Ukrainian Carnival Queen puppets, Kaya and Sofiya by Global Grooves and played with the mischievous flamingos at the Hat Garden.  

Over at the Town Hall Cardinal Newman School Steelband showcased their skills with newly reconditioned pans made possible by sponsorship from TUI. The new Town Hall Steelpan Zone also featured Notting Hill Steelband, UFO, led by Luton-born actor, Colin Salmon, who enjoyed the weekend off from filming his EastEnders debut airing this week.  

Twenty-eight Carnival Groups took part in the parade, with nearly 900 people performing for the audiences right across the town centre. Highlights included Luton’s Victorious Mas Band with a scale replica of the Empire Windrush ship with the band’s performer giving a stellar dance performance in the ship costume that wowed the crowds of St George’s Square. Band leader Janet Skepple said, “It was brilliant! Today made the months of hard work all worth it. Seeing the crowd’s reaction to the costume as we came through town was amazing and I can’t tell you how it feels to see everyone cheering on the performance and appreciating my art.” 

Other parade highlights included newcomers, the Eastern European Carnival Group, made up of over 100 adults and children from the Ukrainian, Polish, Romanian, Hungarian and Roma communities. Group leader, UKCCA Associate Artist, Reka Prosper, said, “It makes me proud to be able to bring the Eastern European communities together to be represented in Luton Carnival. We are a big part of the town, and it is important to share our traditions and customs with others.” 

The Newly formed Luton Council Carnival Group sailed the seven streets of Luton led by Robin Porter, Chief Executive of Luton Council, wearing a 98% recycled ‘Under the Sea’ costume made by UKCCA. Accompanied by Festive Road’s Amazing pedal-powered Inkling, the giant squid. Also with the stainable trolly ships, HMS Tesco, and the Lutonian, this carnival band showed Luton Carnival’s commitment to becoming a fully green event by 2030. 

Other stand-out performances came from African groups - Mas Africa, Ghana Society, Igbo Community Group and Sankofa Heritage Productions; all giving live traditional dance, music and ceremonial performances, expressing the richness and diversity of African cultures.  With traditional dress and characters, these groups embodied Luton Carnival’s commitment to authentic and diverse cultural showcases. 

The biggest cheers of the day went to the Pioneer Learning Trust, made up of students from Chantry Primary Academy, Whitefield Primary Academy and Southfield Primary Academy. Sponsored by the Luton Town Football Club (LTFC) and Luton Town FC Community Trust their LTFC inspired costumes rallied a great response from the crowd who were still celebrating Luton’s big win and promotion to the Premier League on Saturday! 

With the support from Baroness Floella Benjamin, Luton International Carnival Champion 2023, along with the vibrant carnival costumes dance and music performances, Luton Carnival certainly brought the town centre to life on one of Luton’s biggest weekends.  

Check out the latest pictures and videos from Luton Carnival 2023 on UK Centre for Carnival Arts social media and website: https://www.carnivalarts.org.uk/ 

Luton International Carnival was supported by Primary Sponsor Luton Rising. Other sponsors: Luton Town Football Club Community Trust, Luton Town Football Club, Luton BID, TUI, Taylor Wimpey, Valicity Care Services, Tesco, Gentian Events, BT Events and Pride In Luton. Funders Arts Council of England, Bedfordshire and Luton Community Foundation, Luton Council and Royal Opera House Bridge. Partners Luton Council, The Culture Trust, University of Bedfordshire, Luton Association of Mas, Luton Irish Forum and Active Luton.