New exhibition celebrating carnival culture in Luton opens

In case you missed it, Luton International Carnival celebrated their 50^th anniversary this year with a bigger parade, colourful costumes and the return to their spiritual home of Wardown Park. It was an occasion not to be missed, but as we celebrated their golden anniversary, many of us were left curious about the history of the annual carnival.

This new exhibition, Beyond Luton Carnival 50, doesn’t just teach you about carnival’s history in our town: it shows you through a serious of photographs, videos and even old posters. But it goes beyond the carnival, and also showcases the heritage of the black community in Luton.

Beyond Luton Carnival 50 showcases a selection of portrait and documentary photography by Karis Beaumont (British Vogue/ Rolling Stone) with supporting works by Nadine Scarlett. Alongside personal archives from Luton residents, the exploration offers a reflective look at the moments and stories that have shaped black life in Luton and Carnival’s cultural legacy across generations.

It’s certainly an exhibition not to be missed, and is perfect for people of all ages and backgrounds. Whether you’ve lived in Luton since the first carnival in 1976, or are just curious about its roots, this exhibition is a great place to learn a bit more and reflect on carnival and black culture in Luton.

The exhibition has been made possible with support from the Luton Art Fund and will be displayed at Luton Central Library until 23 October 2026. Gatherings, including workshops and talks, will offer visitors space to sit with the work and share reflections in community.