Luton International Carnival 2025, will mark its 49th anniversary when it takes place on Sunday 25 May from 12pm to 6pm, and with a theme is ‘Back to the Future’, carnival organisers are inviting everyone to come together for a day filled with vibrant festivities and joyful community spirit.
This year there’ll be fantastically colourful performances and plenty of interactive activities. Among the highlights of this year’s carnival, Step Forward Luton’s popular ‘Chill Out Zone’ will return for its second year, inviting families to relax on free deck chairs and bean bags from 11am to 3pm at Hat Gardens, Luton’s beloved pocket park on Bute Street. It’s the perfect spot to relax by the River Lea and soak up the sunshine while waiting for the parade to arrive between the day’s exciting festival activities.
There will also be a Carnival Workshop taking place in Central Square at The Point from 12pm to 5pm which is free to any and all who’d like to participate. Guided by experienced carnival artists, you’ll have the opportunity to create your own carnival artwork. Don’t miss the immersive family experience led by the extremely talented Aaron Spendelow taking place at Luton Central Library, with three free shows available on the day, starting at 11am and running till 2pm.
Mark Fowler, Interim CEO at Luton Council, said: “The Luton International Carnival is not just an event; it represents the heart and soul of our community. It’s just one of over 40 free family events that happen all year round in Luton, bringing communities to our town centre in a safe, family-friendly atmosphere. As we celebrate its 49th year we reflect on how it unites different generations and cultures and showcases what makes our town so unique.
“This year the incoming Mayor of Luton will be taking part in the carnival parade for the first time ever, wearing the mayoral robes and chain of office. I’m also looking forward to taking part with a large contingent of council staff, councillors and their families and seeing our town come alive, as thousands of people join in with the celebrations and enjoy the delicious food, music and entertainment on offer.”
Following the tremendous success of last year, the Luton International Carnival is once again at the forefront of creating eco-friendly, fun family events, and this year’s parade will be no exception. From costumes hand-crafted using recycled materials to bikes and push-and-pull floats and music powered by innovative electric speakers, the carnival is committed to delivering events that are not only entertaining but also kinder to the planet.
This year, some of the council e-cargo bikes will be showcased in the parade procession to highlight their versatility and effectiveness for everyday use. This initiative aligns with the UK Centre of Carnival Arts commitment to the pledge of ensuring that Luton becomes a carbon-neutral town by 2040.
Councillor Javeria Hussain, Vice Chair of the Board of Directors of sponsors Luton Rising, said: “The carnival is a fantastic family event with a great community atmosphere, and we are delighted to once again be supporting it. Events such as these would not be possible without the success of our airport, which generates funds that are reinvested into the community. I’d encourage anyone who enjoys a great community atmosphere to come along to it – you will be amazed by the display of rich diversity, culture, and sense of fun through a parade of spectacular costumes, music and dance.
“The additional green activities promise to make the event eco-friendly again this year and show our shared commitment to ensuring Luton is a carbon-neutral town by 2040. We hope you will join us and see what makes our town, and its people, so special.”
Claudette Whittingham, Executive Director of the UK Centre for Carnival Arts, said: “The carnival thrives thanks to the teamwork of all stakeholders involved. We are beyond grateful for the continued support and excited to create a memorable experience for everyone at this year’s event.”
For more information, visit the Carnival’s web page.
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