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100 Years of Carnival in Waltham ForestShare Your Story. Be Part of the Archive.
Waltham Forest has been celebrating Carnival for over 100 years.
From parades in the 1890s to the vibrant streets of Leyton Carnival, generations of local people have shaped a rich tradition rooted in creativity, community, and the diverse cultures of people who have travelled from 220 countries to settle in the borough.
The borough is home to founding pioneers of Notting Hill Carnival, alongside a powerful new generation of premier Más bands including Inspiration, M2K, Soca Mas and UCOM.
In the 1990s and 2000s, Leyton Young People’s Carnival—later Leyton Carnival—brought schools, families and communities together through workshops, parades and live performances along Leyton High Street, culminating at Leyton Sports Ground.
Now it’s time to tell your story
We’re creating a living community archive—and we want you to be part of it.
Do you remember:
- Leyton Carnival or Young People’s Caribbean Carnival?
- Taking part in a parade, workshop or performance?
- Watching from the streets with friends and family?
Whether you were there once or every year, your memories matter.
How to get involved
- Share your memories and stories
- Contribute photos, flyers and memorabilia
- Help document Waltham Forest’s Carnival history
- No experience needed—just come along and be part of it.
What happens next
Selected contributions will be featured in a public display at the reopened Vestry House Museum
Your materials will also become part of the Waltham Forest Archives, preserving this history for future generations.
Get involved
Meet us at one of our Collection Saturdays:
11 April – Walthamstow Central Library
18 April – Lea Bridge Road Library
2 May – Leyton Trinity Hall
16 May – Walthamstow Central Library
6 June – Leyton Trinity Hall
4 July – Leyton Trinity Hall
Email: [email protected]
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Event Venue
Walthamstow Library, 206 High Street Walthamstow,London, United Kingdom, Leytonstone
Tickets
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.
