Huddersfield Carnival cancelled in 40th year amid lack of funds

Huddersfield Carnival will not be returning for 2024 - its 40th anniversary year - due to a lack of funding.

The much-loved carnival which celebrates Caribbean culture, made a long-awaited comeback in 2023 after five years of absence. Tens of thousands lined the streets and flocked to Greenhead Park to watch the parade and enjoy the event.

However, the event has failed to attract sufficient funds this year, with Kirklees Council's financial predicament meaning it can’t offer support. Organisers say they are dependent on grants and sponsorships to make the event a reality but have received little feedback.

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The Huddersfield African Caribbean Cultural Trust (HACCT) and its subgroup Huddersfield Carnival Management Committee (CMC) confirmed that there will be no festival this year in a statement on social media.

They said: “The team were so proud of the hugely successful event in 2023, however, this year has been significantly challenging. As communicated to you all, there has been no support from the council given the current financial pressures. Despite our best efforts contacting many local and national companies and businesses, we only secured funds from one local organisation.

“We were unable to make a profitable income from Carnival 2023 due to restrictions on the Arts Council England funding received. Monies made from the bar and fairground went to the council as reimbursement towards their financial support.

“We have reached out to the community through social media, via WhatsApp, posters and radio, however, our fundraiser has not garnered the support we needed. Sadly, without the financial support of the Huddersfield and wider carnival community, we have been unable to raise the funds needed.

“We wish to say a massive thank you to those who did donate and please be reassured that those funds will go towards Carnival 2025. We also thank those who have offered to do sponsored events and hope you will still do so in support of 2025. An additional thanks to those individuals and organisations who have shared our fundraiser, it is appreciated.

“The CMC team are going to take a much-needed but very short break before regrouping to start planning for next year. Additionally, the HACCT Trustees will be undertaking work to strengthen the organisation and prepare to implement our business plan for 2025.

“As always, we welcome new CMC volunteers and HACCT Trustees with time and fresh ideas to join the organisation.

“Please continue to share our fundraiser, donate when you can and support our future fundraising events.”

A link to the fundraiser is as follows: https://wonderful.org/fundraisers/nDZGN

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