The date of this year’s Bath Carnival has now been set, with organisers already planning a new programme of creative activities, the carnival procession and the free World music festival.

The Bath Carnival in 2018 | Photo © Casper Farrell
On Saturday 13th July, Bath will become the backdrop for another colourful carnival parade featuring professional street bands, dance groups, walkabout acts, enormous costumes, sound systems, children from local schools, charities and community groups.
Last year over 30,000 people are estimated to have watched the carnival procession.
The free World music and combined arts festival will be returning to Sydney Gardens after a record number of over 13,000 attended throughout the day and evening last year.
The 2019 theme will be announced on Wednesday 6th February at the carnival’s annual ‘Thankyou Event’.
Carnival Organiser, Stuart Matson, said: “The atmosphere surrounding the carnival last year was incredible and seeing so many thousands of people supporting from the streets was the perfect reward for our amazing team of volunteers who worked so hard to make it all happen.
“The stark reality is that we are seeing funding for the arts cut at every level and of course we now have the closure of the B&NES Council Arts Development service, so grass-roots arts organisations such as Bath Carnival have never been more important for the city.
“Having set this year’s date we will be working around the clock to raise enough funds so that on the big day the people of Bath can come together to celebrate their community and experience the magic of carnival.”
Bath Carnival’s first event of the year will celebrate seven years of Carnival in Bath.
The ‘Thankyou Event’ will be hosted by Walcot House on Wednesday 6th February with sponsors, supporters, friends and Carnival enthusiasts coming together to hear the exciting plans for the upcoming project and reflect on the achievements of 2018.
Guests will be treated to live entertainment from internationally touring solo artist The Flamenco Thief.
The carnival’s artistry team will create a carnival timeline for the event; documenting the last six years of carnival in the city.
Schools throughout B&NES are also being invited to take part in the new programme of creative activities, including costume making, drama, music and dance.
Each participating school will be reserved a place in the procession on Saturday 13th July, with children having the unique experience of performing in front of thousands of people alongside professional carnival artists.
Lead Artist Hannah Southfield said: “We had a record number of school children involved in last year’s project and we are looking to build on that this year.
“With the addition of performance arts this year we hope that children will be even more confident in their final performance and have even more fun!”