Everything you need to know ahead of Northampton Carnival which will take place this weekend

From midday on Saturday (June 8), the Racecourse will be taken over by all sorts of carnival-related festivities.

This year marks the 19th anniversary since the return of one of the largest free multicultural community events in the county, which is completely run by a small team of dedicated volunteers.

The theme for 2024 is ‘A Festival for All Cultures’, which organisers say lends itself “nicely to be interpreted to represent all the wonderful diverse cultures in our town”. Organisers also say it has been chosen to “give hope and the opportunity for everyone to come together and celebrate”.

What to expect

Performances on the stage at the Racecourse will kick off from midday and run all the way through until the event close, which will be 7.30pm. The full list of performers is below.

The parade will set off from the Racecourse at 2pm and take a route around town, before returning to the Racecourse at around 4.30pm. Northampton Town Council says the route is “similar” to previous years heading towards the town centre, “however taking into account construction works on Abington Street, will exit via The Drapery, then onto Sheep Street towards Wellingborough Road”. There will be rolling road closures on Kettering Road, Wellingborough Road and St Giles Street. The course map can be found below.

Also at the Racecourse, there will be a wide variety of stalls that include Caribbean food, cultural arts and crafts, clothing, jewellery, promotional stalls for charities, sweets and treats, a variety of foods and a full running bar. There will also be a huge funfair with rides for everyone.

Stage Line-up 12pm - 7.30pm

• 12.00pm – Event open by Inspiration FM
• 12.05pm - DJ / SET IT OFF SOUND
• 1.00pm - 3.10pm – Teejay Hiles
• 1.10pm – 1.20pm - Ebony-May Palliser
• 1.20pm – 1.35pm - Malcolm Dunn & Friends
• 1.32pm – 1.55pm - Lucien Moon
• 1.55pm – 2pm - Opening of event Dignitary
• 2.05pm – 2.25pm - DJ/Set it off Sound
• 2.30pm – 2.45pm - IFM New Artiste Showcase
• 2.50pm – 3pm - Saiyara Chowdhury Dance Piece
• 3.05 – 3.20pm - Shirley Marie (Soul singer)
• 3.25pm – 3.35pm – Bobbi Clark Dance group
• 3.50pm – 3.55pm - CBlock Muzic (International Reggae Artist)
• 4pm – 4.15pm - Ricardo Rawal (Dancehall Artist)
• 4.20pm – 5pm - NNSP Mr Green & TMax
• 5pm – 5.05pm - Leicester Troupe Visiting Troupe
• 5.10pm – 5.15pm - Derby Troupe Visiting Troupe
• 5.20pm – 5.25pm - Nottingham Troupe Visiting Troupe
• 5.30pm – 5.35pm - Shalom Fellowship Local Troupe
• 5.40pm – 5.45pm – Potters House Local Troupe
• 5.50pm – 5.55pm – United African Drummers Local Troupe
• 6pm – 6.10pm - Announce Floats/Troupes Winners
• 6.20pm – 6.40pm - (Producer, Rapper, Singer/Songwriter) Dreadz
• 6.45pm – 7.30pm – Repro Jam Squad (Headliners)

Times are approximate.

Organisers “extend an invitation to come and enjoy this multicultural event that gives you a true taste of the diverse cultures and lifestyles that are unique to Northampton”.