‘Back to the Future’ theme confirmed for Luton’s 49th Carnival

Mark your calendars for Sunday 25 May 2025 – from 12pm to 6pm, the streets will be alive with this year’s theme: ‘Back to the Future’. Whether you’ve been coming since you were a kid or it’s your first time, this carnival shows exactly what makes Luton special.

Big thanks to all the supporters who make this possible: Luton Rising as headline sponsor, plus Luton Council, Step Forward Luton, PRS PPL, BT Events Ltd, Arts Council of England, Bedfordshire Luton Community Foundation, The Steel Charitable Trust, Youth Music, Penrose Roots, Hatters, Steel Pan in Motion, Pop Up Finder, Ukraine Association, The Point, Tesco, Amazon, and Luton Association of Mas. These sponsors keep the carnival free and accessible for everyone.

There’s loads to do this year beyond the parade. Step Forward Luton’s ‘Chill Out Zone’ returns to Hat Gardens – grab a free deck chair or bean bag from 11am to 3pm and watch the day unfold by the River Lea.

At Central Square, there’s a free Carnival Workshop from 12pm to 5pm where you can create your own carnival artwork with experienced artists. And don’t miss Aaron Spendelow’s family shows at Luton Central Library – three free performances from 11am to 2pm.

Mark Fowler, Interim CEO at Luton Council, stated “The Luton International Carnival is not just an event; it represents the heart and soul of our community. It’s just one of over 40 free family events that happen all year round in Luton, bringing communities to our town centre in a safe, family-friendly atmosphere. As we celebrate its 49th year we reflect on how it unites different generations and cultures and showcases what makes our town so unique.”

“This year the incoming Mayor of Luton will be taking part in the carnival parade for the first time ever, wearing the mayoral robes and chain of office. I’m also looking forward to taking part with a large contingent of council staff, councillors and their families and seeing our town come alive, as thousands of people join in with the celebrations and enjoy the delicious food, music and entertainment on offer.”

UKCCA are keeping things eco-friendly again this year. From costumes made with recycled materials to electric-powered music systems and human-powered floats, we’re showing how carnival can be both fun and sustainable. The parade will feature Luton Council’s e-cargo bikes, highlighting practical green transport options while we work towards our 2040 carbon-neutral target.

Councillor Javeria Hussain, Vice Chair of the Board of Directors of Luton Rising, said “The carnival is a fantastic family event with a great community atmosphere, and we are delighted to once again be supporting it. Events such as these would not be possible without the success of our airport, which generates funds that are reinvested into the community.”

“I’d encourage anyone who enjoys a great community atmosphere to come along to it – you will be amazed by the display of rich diversity, culture, and sense of fun through a parade of spectacular costumes, music and dance. The additional green activities promise to make the event eco-friendly again this year and show our shared commitment to ensuring Luton is a carbon-neutral town by 2040. We hope you will join us and see what makes our town, and its people, so special.”

Claudette Whittingham, Executive Director of the UK Centre for Carnival Arts, noted, “The carnival thrives thanks to the teamwork of all stakeholders involved. We are beyond grateful for the continued support and excited to create a memorable experience for everyone at this year’s event.”

The 49th Luton International Carnival is your chance to celebrate what makes our town great – our diversity, creativity, and community spirit.

See you there!

For more information, visit the official Luton International Carnival 2025 page.