Caribbean Carnival of Manchester at Alexandra Park (CANCELLED)

Creative Tourist

Visit now

Caribbean Carnival of Manchester (CANCELLED)

Alexandra Park, Manchester
8-9 August 2020

Always double check opening hours with the venue before making a special visit.

Caribbean Carnival of Manchester
Book now

Expect revelry of legendary proportions as the Caribbean Carnival of Manchester returns to the stunning setting of Alexandra Park.

For early birds, the morning J’ouvert parade (marking struggles suffered on the road to independence) normally starts warming up from 8am on Saturday morning with two trailers of DJs and Soca bands and food vendors serving souse, dumplings, salt fish and rice. This parade is adjacent to the park and is set to wake the neighbourhood up in style.

Last year, the main Carnival parade left Alexandra Park on Saturday at 1pm, returning at 3.30 featuring spectacular costume, dance, music and performance.

Each day in the park, indulge in Caribbean food and dance to Mas bands, Dancehall, Soca and leading DJs.  The line-up is yet to be revealed for 2020, but expect three stages of live music, top DJs, local talent, the much-loved Soul Tent and African Corner.

Now a top highlight in the city’s annual calendar, the Caribbean Carnival that we now know and love was born out of an impromptu carnival event on the streets by Caribbean residents in 1972, which was attended by around 100 people.

This happy and friendly carnival is intergenerational, of the community yet world class, and wows the crowd with even more jaw-dropping costumes and performance each year.

Where to go near Caribbean Carnival of Manchester at Alexandra Park (CANCELLED)

Manchester
Music venue
The Carlton Club

The Carlton Club is a social club with a fully licensed bar, snooker tables and dance floor in the South Manchester suburb of Whalley Range.

British Muslim Heritage Centre
Manchester
Event venue
British Muslim Heritage Centre

The British Muslim Heritage Centre, or BMHC as it’s also know, was formerly the GMB National College. This 18th century Grade II listed building is located in the heart of Manchester and situated within 8 acres of attractive greenery.

Manchester
Restaurant
The Old Abbey Taphouse

STEAM focused – pub, hub and event space, food, local ale, recording studio, rehearsal room, urban farm + micro-brewery. Food served 11.30am-3pm and 5-10pm.

Hulme
Hulme Playhouse Theatre

The Playhouse Theatre, originally known as the Hulme Hippodrome opened its doors on 6 October 1902. In 2018, the historic venue was relaunched as a community arts centre by NIAMOS – a collective of artists, musicians and local residents.

Manchester
Event venue
Niamos Centre, Manchester

Niamos is a co-operatively run exhibition, arts, and performance space with a micro bakery, music studio’s, a kitchen and a holistic well-being space in the midst of transformation.

The Giving Tree
Manchester
Restaurant
The Giving Tree

The Giving Tree is a cafe and community hub based in Rusholme, a short walk from the city centre.

Manchester
Restaurant
MyLahore

Modern cafe and restaurant on Manchester’s Curry Mile. encouraging

The Whitworth
Manchester
Gallery
The Whitworth

This much-loved gallery-in-a-park is open for business, showcasing some of the city’s finest contemporary and historic exhibitions.

What's on: Festivals

The Herds, The Walk Productions
FestivalsManchester
MIF25: THE HERDS

Manchester International Festival 2025 kicks off with an awe-inspiring outdoor spectacle as THE HERDS take to the streets of Manchester, Rochdale, and Wigan.

Free entry
CinemaManchester
YANK at Cultplex

Thirteen movies to get to know the United States of America. Cultplex presents a season of film exploring America through its own lens.

From £7.50
NightGarden Festival
Festivals
NightGarden Festival

Somewhere in Trafford, behind an unmarked gate, a former garden centre hosts one of Greater Manchester’s most original festivals.

From £20

Culture Guides

Theatre in Manchester
Theatre in the North

Summer signals theatre festivals, world premieres and open-air spectacle - from MIF25 to comedy, outdoor circus and beyond, here’s what we’re looking forward to.

Cloudwater Production One
Tours and Activities in the North

Go forth with wild abandon to dance the pavements, dabble with the paint and down the pints in this month's tours and activities guide.

Star Nhà Ease
Cinema in the North

July's cinema highlights include spotlights on international cinema, a new cult classic, plus a visit from one of our favourite directors.

Harry Baker
Literature Events in the North

From environmental to experimental, our poetry and prose picks from around the North are focused on the unusual and the fun.

Exhibitions in the North

Captivating, urgent and intimate - we bring you our top exhibition picks, with even more art festivals, artist-led shows and new venues.

Helena Hauff
Music in the North

Shape-shifting bands, scorched-earth techno, and off-grid festivals. Our latest music picks catch the live scene at its most urgent, inventive and alive.