Huddersfield Carnival is canceled for 2024 but organizers hope to return in 2025

Huddersfield Carnival has been canceled for 2024 – its 40th^th anniversary year – due to lack of financial support.

The carnival returned in 2023 after a five-year absence and around 20,000 people attended the parade and a one-day event in Greenhead Park.

However, cuts to local authority budgets meant that Kirklees Council was unable to provide any funding for this year’s event.

An appeal for sponsorship from businesses and other organizations failed to raise funds for the estimated £100,000 cost of staging the event.

The Huddersfield Carnival Management Committee, a sub-group of the Huddersfield African Caribbean Cultural Trust (HACCT), said it was disappointed to announce the event would not be taking place this year.

In a statement, the committee said: “The team was so proud of the hugely successful event in 2023, however this year was a significant challenge.

“As I have communicated to you all, there has been no support from the council given the current financial pressures.

“Despite our efforts to contact many local and national companies and businesses, we have only secured funding from one local organization.

“We were unable to generate a profitable income from the 2023 carnival due to restrictions on funding received by Arts Council England. The money raised from the bar and fairs went to the council as repayment for their financial support.”

The committee also contacted the local community, asking for a £5 donation to help “keep the vibe going”, however insufficient funds were received.

The committee added: “We would like to say a massive thank you to those who have donated and please ensure that these funds go towards the 2025 Carnival.

“We also thank those who have offered to run sponsored events and hope you will continue to do so in support of 2025. A further thank you to those individuals and organizations who have shared in our fundraising is appreciated.

“The CMC team will take a much needed but very short break before regrouping to begin planning for next year.

“In addition, HACCT’s trustees will work to strengthen the organization and prepare for the implementation of our 2025 business plan.

“As always, we welcome new CMC volunteers and HACCT administrators with time and fresh ideas to join the organization.

“Please continue to share our fundraiser, donate when you can and support our future fundraising events.”

The fundraiser can be found HERE

What’s on in Huddersfield in May 2024 with concerts, shows, music, street food and great vibes