Government support for carnivals
A Westminster Hall debate on government support for carnivals is scheduled for Thursday 12 March 2026. The debate was selected by the backbench business committee, and will be opened by Sarah Dyke MP and Dan Aldridge MP.
Carnivals in the UK are believed to date as far back as 1605 with the Bridgwater Carnival which inspired the illuminated carnival celebrations across Great Britain. While some carnivals can be traced to Victorian times, others such as Notting Hill Carnival, are of Caribbean and cross-cultural heritage.
Funding for carnivals may come from sources such as local councils and Arts Council England. The staging of some carnivals has been affected by funding challenges and, in September 2025, the Mayor of London said he believed that "national funding is needed to ensure the long-term safety and success of future carnivals".
Notting Hill CarnivalIn June 2025, it was reported that the future of Notting Hill Carnival—described as Europe’s biggest street festival—was in jeopardy without “urgent funding” from the government. The Metropolitan Police was also reported to be “significantly concerned” about the lack of “essential funding” and the need to address crowd safety with only a matter of weeks until the event. According to a publication by Kensington and Chelsea Council, on 19 June 2025, the government confirmed that it would not be providing any support for the event. Following this, Kensington and Chelsea Council, Westminster City Council and the Greater London Authority increased their grant funding to ensure that the event could proceed safely.
Hackney CarnivalIn February 2025, it was reported that Hackney Council's funding for the Hackney Carninal had been withdrwan "for the foreseeable future” due to budget pressures.