News and Events

ANNOUNCEMENT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Date: 4 August 2026 Issued by: Kingston Race and Equalities Council (KREC) and the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames (RBK)

Kingston Carnival 2026 Paused Until 2027

Kingston Race and Equalities Council (KREC) and the Royal Borough of Kingston (RBK) regret to announce that Kingston Carnival 2026 will not take place this year. After careful consideration we have decided to postpone the event until 2027 to ensure its long-term sustainability and continued success.

Last year’s Carnival, marking 25 years of the event, was one of the most vibrant and well-attended in recent memory, celebrating Kingston’s rich multicultural heritage and a highlight of the Kingston 2025 programme. However, delivering an event of that scale requires extensive planning, resources, and funding. Despite the best efforts of both KREC and RBK, it has not been possible to secure the necessary support and capacity in time to deliver Carnival responsibly and fully this year.

We believe that by taking the decision to pause, we have an exciting opportunity to work with residents, communities and businesses to build a new model for delivering Carnival that will see it return with renewed energy and focus in 2027. The aim is to put Carnival on a sustainable footing that will take it into the future. 

Prabha Shetty, Chair of the Kingston Carnival Committee, said: “This decision was not taken lightly. The Carnival is a cornerstone of Kingston’s community life, and we remain deeply committed to its future. Postponing gives us the opportunity to rebuild, strengthen partnerships, and return in 2027 with renewed energy and creativity. The spirit of Carnival will continue through smaller community events this year, keeping its heartbeat alive.”

Cllr Andreas Kirsch, Leader of the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames added : “Kingston Carnival is one of the borough’s most important celebrations, bringing people together from all backgrounds. While we share the disappointment of this year’s postponement, we will be working closely with KREC and community partners to ensure the Carnival returns stronger than ever in 2027. We remain committed to supporting inclusive cultural events that reflect the diversity and vibrancy of Kingston.”

Both RBK and KREC remain dedicated to preserving the Carnival’s legacy and ensuring its return in 2027. Planning will begin now to secure funding, partnerships, and volunteer engagement for a vibrant celebration next summer.

As KREC celebrates the 50th year of the organisation in 2026, it is working with support from the Council and the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) to mark this moment with Kingston’s communities in a number of ways:

Key Events and Community Highlights

  • East and South East Asian (ESEA) Festival (September 5th 2026): We will join our East and South East Asian Communities in this special cultural showcase in the Ancient Market Place, where we would love to hear residents’ views on the future shape of Carnival.    
  • Decolonising Kingston – Kingston the Living Archive exhibition and celebration. This multi-part exhibition and celebration will showcase the history of Carnival, the work of KREC, and the creative responses of residents to Kingston’s historic archive and collections.
  • Decolonising Kingston Workshops: Active creative writing sessions running throughout the borough in partnership with the RBK Library and Heritage Services.
  • Archiving the Legacy: KREC is providing a comprehensive historical archive to the Kingston History and Heritage Centre, documenting 25 years of Kingston Carnival history.
  • Looking Ahead to 2027 (Early 2027): Costume design and building workshops will launch in partnership with the Elimu Arts Mas Band to lay the foundation for a spectacular Kingston Carnival 2027.

Media Contacts

Kingston Race and Equalities Council (KREC) Email: info@kingstonrec.org

Phone: 07711037181 / 020 8547 2332

Royal Borough of Kingston (RBK) Email:                                   Phone: 020 8547 5000

Notes to Editors

  • Kingston Carnival has been a highlight of the borough’s cultural calendar for over 25 years, celebrating diversity, creativity, and community spirit.
  • The event is jointly supported by KREC and RBK, with contributions from local organisations, volunteers, and performers.
  • Planning for the 2027 Carnival will begin later this year, with opportunities for community involvement and sponsorship.