The St Denys Carnival is set to return in May, with organisers promising a bigger and more ambitious event following last year’s revival.
Listen to our interview with organiser Lori Foster on digest+
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The community-led carnival, which came back in 2025 after decades away, will take place on Saturday May. 23.
Last year’s event drew crowds across the neighbourhood, with a lively parade, music and activities bringing residents together throughout the day and into the evening.
This Anglerfish won the best carnival costume prize last year
This year’s theme, 'Pirates of the Itchen', invites people to dress up and take part in a parade starting at St Denys Community Centre, with an extended route taking in more of the area. Organisers are encouraging residents to get involved - whether by building floats, performing, volunteering as marshals or simply joining in on the day.
There is also an arts festival running as part of the carnival, with two exhibitions at St Denys Church:One is a photography exhibition and the other is an art exhibition, working to the subject of 'River'. They start on May 22 and run through until May 28.
Lori Foster, pictured above at last year's carnival.
Co-organiser Lori Foster said last year’s event was made possible through a personal commitment to get things off the ground. “For the first year, James and I funded it personally. We put up the money to get it started.” Some of those costs were later recovered through trader fees, donations and the community café.
Listen to our full interview with Lori for more details of what to expect on the day, including how to take part, now available to subscribers on our digest+ channel, and free for all five days from publication.
You can also find out more at stdenyscarnival.uk
Our write-up and photos of last year's carnival are here.
• Lori Foster is a candidate in the Portswood ward in this year’s local elections. For statements from all Portswood candidates click here. For those standing in Bitterne Park click here. For a list of all candidates in all city wards, see this PDF on the council’s website