The one month countdown to Hackney Carnival is on!

The one month countdown to Hackney Carnival is on!

Hackney Carnivalreturns to its roots on Sunday 22 September with a family-focused parade and exciting entertainment including live music stages, sound systems, a food market and children's areas.

Over thirty carnival groups, including seventeen local bandswho will be showcasing the borough's diverse communities and creative talents, are set to join residents for a celebration of Hackney's culture and heritage from 11am to 7pm.

The parade of spectacular costumes, vibrant dance routines and live music, will make its way through Hackney Central, setting off at midday from Mentmore Terrace alongside London Fields, then down Mare Street to Graham Road and along Queensbridge Road, before ending back at London Fields via Richmond Road at around 5pm. See the full parade route here.

The groups, led by artistic director Pax Nindi, will stop outside Hackney Town Hall to perform in front of a panel of judges, who will give out awards for the best live music, performances, dance routines and costumes on display.

Along with the procession, Hackney Carnival will feature popular sound systems in Town Hall Square, the Town Hall Car Park, The Mews and Urswick School Yard, with a main stage and family-friendly activities around St John's Church, street entertainment along the Narrow Way, and food stalls offering a variety of delicious cuisines.

Hackney Carnival proudly honours the borough's diversity and inclusivity, with a procession that includes participants of all ages and backgrounds, such as young children, elders, disabled people, and an LGBTQIA+ led group. Alongside performances inspired by cultural heritage, it features African acrobats, dancers, drummers, fire breathers, and lion masquerades. The procession showcases visiting and Hackney-based groups representing various cultures, including those from Ghana, Ireland, Senegal, Gambia, Trinidad, Jamaica, Montserrat, Brazil, Bolivia, and East Asia.

Hackney Council is delighted to be working closely with emergency services and key partners in order to deliver a safe, family-friendly event. This will include the presence of security personnel, first aid stations, and information points.

More information is available on the Hackney Carnival Facebookand Instagrampages, as well as the Love Hackney website.

NOTES

Read the FAQs

See the street parade route map

For the full line-up and timings please visit lovehackney.uk/hackney-carnival

The carnival parade will feature:

• UFO Steel Band
• Blema Dancers
• Taru
• Mi Viejo San Simon
• Tinkus Puros Miskis
• Pantonic Steel Orchestra
• Jun Mo Generations
• Paraiso School of Samba
• Paracarnival CIC
• Pan Vibration
• People of Paradise
• Urban Touch
• Sistah Space
• Baque de Axe Maracatu
• GAHU Dramatic Arts
• London Academy of Irish (LAI) Dance
• Montserrat in the UK
• Yaram Arts
• Talento
• Tropical Isles
• Faggamuffin
• Unity No Nonsense
• Jamboulay Carnival Arts
• Dimensions London
• Culture Riddim
• Soca Massive
• UCOM
• Soca Sagaboys
• Notting Hill CAMF Troupe
• NHC Carnival Village Trust Group
• Mahogany