Great British Carnival

Marking the midway point between the London and Rio Olympics, the Great British Carnival will create a fantastic event of dance, infectious music, performance and costume that the whole family can enjoy.

Kicking off at 12pm and entertaining throughout the day until 9.30pm, the Carnival will feature a vibrant mix of international carnival artistes, homegrown performers and local carnivals from Newham, Hackney, Tower Hamlets and Waltham Forest – and it’s completely free!

In homage to Rio’s most famous cultural export, London and UK carnivals are keen to show off what Britain has to offer. The best of UK carnival arts will feature an exciting programme of pop-up parades, mask-making workshops, high-quality live music and performances from young musicians, rappers and poets.

The event will also host the world premiere of The Carnival of the Animals: a magical twilight crescendo of costumed performers, 300 dancers, giant carnivalesque creatures and extraordinary illumination.

In the run-up to the event, residents of the Park’s four surrounding boroughs can participate in free music, dance and choreography workshops, learning routines with a view to joining in the pop-up parades on the big day.