Europe’s longest running West Indian style Carnival is not held in London or Paris. It takes place in Leeds in the West Riding of Yorkshire. Held the weekend of the August bank holiday, the celebration features live Caribbean music, foods, the selection of a King and Queen and a party atmosphere shared by local clubs, Leeds escorts  and restaurants as well as participants in the festival proper..

Potternewton Park is filled with stalls dispensing refreshments and stages offering entertainment. Exotic costumes, steel bands, floats build by carnival troupes and a general atmosphere of good cheer prevail. The event’s climax is a procession on Bank Holiday Monday.

Whether a traveler enjoys the night life of the festival weekend or rises early for J’Ouvert Morning on Monday morning, Carnival in Leeds is not only a wonderful celebration of Caribbean culture but a great break for everyone.

Filed under: Culture