Fabulous dance routines, feathers, glitz and booming beats are set to bring the streets alive on Sunday 8 September for the return of Hackney Carnival. 

There will be spectacular costumes and energetic dancing from almost 1,000 performers on the parade, alongside; three kids areas, three live music areas, seven sound system sites, street art, and 30 stalls offering food and fare from around the world.

Hackney Central will take centre stage at the Council run-event, for an all day Carnival extravaganza. With event locations featuring kids play, performances, sound systrems and stalls at Hackney Town Hall Square, Morning Lane, St John’s Churchyard, Mare Street and Bohemia Place. 

The Carnival procession itself will start at Mare Street at 12noon, with judging taking place at Hackney Town Hall Square from 1pm, it will then makes its way down Graham Road, along Queensbridge Road ending next to London Fields on Lansdowne Drive at around 5.30pm. 

Hackney Central will be abuzz with a festival atmosphere from 11am until 7pm. The live music main stage in St John’s Churchyard will be headlined by International Soca artist OLA (Olatunji Yearwood). With other acts including King of African electronic music and

Rap, Ata Kak Unplugged (solo) and the Joyous Sounds of Highlife by Kodjovi Kush.

Local children and families can also enjoy three free all-day play areas, with Disco Loco playing kid friendly tunes in St John’s kids playground, the Hackney Playbus pulling up in Hackney Town Hall Square and a pop-up cycle playroad in Hilman street. 

Cllr Guy Nicholson, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Arts and Culture said: “This year Hackney Carnival is set to be the biggest and best yet, from art installations to baby disco, there is something for everyone. Don’t miss out on Hackney’s very own Carnival, a grassroots celebration of our community that will be taking over the streets on Sunday 8 September.” 

As part of the countdown to Carnival, artists have been working with older residents to create art installations and decorations for the event. Look out for yarn-bombing in St John’s churchyard by members of the local elders’ group Uprising, and a Carnival Elders bus at Hackney Town Hall Square, decorated by volunteers from St Joseph’s Hospice and Compassionate Neighbours.

For further information about carnival and the route, look at the programme and visit: www.hackney.gov.uk/carnival or download the Hackney Carnival app.

You can also follow Hackney Carnival on Facebook. Tweet and share your photos on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram on the day using #HackneyCarnival.

Hackney Council is working in partnership with Transport for London, Morningside School, Shoreditch Town Hall, Global Carnivalz, Dukeminster, St John at Hackney, Tesco and Second Screen.

If you would like more information on attending the event and securing a press press including entry to the judging area then please email: tara.hudson@hackney.gov.uk.

Listings

Hackney Town Hall Square and Hillman Street

11am-6pm Hackney Playbus and pop-up play-road for kids on bikes

11am-6pm Wellbeing area

12-12.45pm Access All Areas Carnival Collective and Jah Prophecy sound system

1-4pm Carnival judging

4-7pm Jah Prophecy sound system

Hackney Town Hall Car Park

12-7pm Dubson Sounds sound system

Morning Lane Tesco Car Park

12-7pm NTS Live sound system

12-7pm First Class Sounds sound system

Narrow Way

12-6pm Live street art and performances

St John’s Churchyard

12-7pm Community HiFi presents: Belly to Belly Sounds, King Warrior Sounds, Jah Wonder, Bradbury Sounds sound systems

12-7pm Solution Sounds sound system

St John’s Live Stage

10-2pm St John’s Church service, gospel and bands

2-2.30pm Generation Uncovered: Live

2.30-2.45 Latin and Soul DJ Green Papi

2.45-3.30pm Dalston Collect

3.35-4pm Marawa’s Hula Hoops

4-4.40pm Jah Bunny

4.40-5pm DJ Green Papi

5-5.40pm Joyous sounds of Highlife Afrospot

5.45- 6pm King of African electronic music and Rap Ata Kak Unplugged - Solo

6-6.45pm International Soca artist OLA (Olatunji Yearwood)

St John’s Kids Playground

11am-6pm Disco Loco

Churchwell Path Acoustic Stage

12.30-1pm Hackney Can Sing

1-1.45pm Mark 1

1.45-2.30pm Spoken Word JJ Akinlade

2.30-3.30pm Afro tunes acoustic link with highlife Kodjovi Kush

3.30-4pm Solo protest acoustic Barber Luck

4-5pm Acoustic revival tunes Carlton Broden (Cosmics)

5.15-6pm Spoken Word Surprise Guest

6-7pm Award winning spoken word Malika Booker

Bohemia Place

12-7pm Faggamuffin Bloc Party sound system