Summary

  • Live updates from the 2026 Luton International Carnival

  • This year marks a golden milestone - it is the event's 50th anniversary

  • Crowds are packing the town centre for the vibrant parade, which started at about 13:00 BST

  • More than 700 people are taking part, many in spectacular costumes

  • The parade heads to Wardown Park, where the party goes on until about 18:00

Live Reporting

Updates by Zoe Applegate; edited by Gareth George

  1. Our live updates from the sun-soaked Luton Carnival 50th anniversary have come to a close.

    Hope you enjoyed them, thanks for joining us.

  2. 'Luton Carnival epitomises town,' says sponsor

    The carnival is sponsored by Luton Rising, a Luton Council company which owns the airport.

    Its vice chair, councillor Javeria Hussain, said the event helped bring people together every year.

    "Luton Carnival epitomises what Luton is about. It showcases diversity, our culture and our heritage.

    Hussain told BBC Three Counties Radio's Babs Michel (pictured below) that the "biggest achievement" in 2026 had been bringing the carnival back home to Wardown Park.

    "It means the world," she said.

    Babs Michel is grinning at the camera and holding a purple microphoneMacie Lewis/BBC

  3. Is it even hotter on stilts?

    People standing on stilts in costumes with strings of material sheltering under a tree in a parkMacie Lewis/BBC

    When you're standing on lofty stilts as temperatures nudge 29C (84F), it means you're that much closer to the sun.

    Let's hope these stilt-wearers can make the most of sheltering under one of Wardown Park's leafy trees.

    Let's also hope their impressive, stringy costumes don't end up in a tangle!

  4. Carnival boss shares his highlights so far

    Carnival boss Steve Pascal has just been telling BBC Three Counties Radio's Babs Michel about his highlights so far.

    "It's two things - it's the work the volunteers do, that's very important," he said.

    "And as a health and safety person, I want to see everyone come and go safely - but ultimately, it's just the smiles on the kiddies' faces."

    Listen live to BBC Three Counties here

    Steve Pascal at the Luton Carnival

  5. Costumes or marvels of engineering?

    High-winged costumes, with people walking along a street.Macie Lewis/BBC

    Towering costumes which could have been described as marvels of engineering featured in the procession.

    The eye-catching spectacles drew crowds, who basked in the sunshine.

    BBC Three Counties Radio presenter Andy Collins was just one of many who made the most of their moments in the limelight.

    Andy Collins lifts a gold and black wing and is standing next to a woman in a similar costume.Macie Lewis/BBC
    People in red jackets on the carnival route.Macie Lewis/BBC

  6. Up to 15,000 at Luton Carnival

    Crowd gathered at barriers in parkLily-May Symonds/BBC

    Attendance is expected to be up to 15,000 across Luton.

    The focus of the action is now Wardown Park, where crowds have gathered to see the outlandish and colourful costumes - and to enjoy the music, food and fashion.

  7. Steel band keeps the beat in the heat

    Steel band members play drumsToby Friedner/BBC

    A cacophony of sounds and colours is being made all the richer by the wonderful steel band.

    Steel Pan in Motion are banging out the beats.

  8. How did it all begin?

    It's been glorious weather for Luton International Carnival's 50th anniversary. What's the background to the spectacular parades like the one we've seen this afternoon?

    A group of people dressed in clothing reminiscent of the "Summer of Love" pose in front of a car with the words "Luton Samaritans" written on itMatthew Catlin

    Long known for its hat-making industry, the town began hosting Easter bonnet parades in the 1950s to counter the years of World War Two bleakness.

    Over the following decades, those springtime celebrations evolved and on 31 May 1976 a Victorian-style street fair was held to mark Luton borough's centenary.

    Festivities continued over the summer across the town, including a carnival procession with floats and fancy dress in Sundon Park.

    Fifty years later and the carnival remains in Luton, where volunteers, communities and cultures come together to make costumes, dance and celebrate the town they live in.

  9. Carnival costumes sparkle in the sunshine

    Men dressed in purple outfits on gold horse modelsLily-May Symonds/BBC

    Weird and wonderful outfits are on display. This year's theme is gold - to celebrate Luton Carnival's 50th anniversary. The town is in full sparkle mode.

    Two women in gold outfitsLily-May Symonds/BBC
    Men in purple costumes on gold horse models.Emma Baugh/BBC

  10. 'Carnival is about mass happiness,' says organiser

    Steve Pascal and Claudette WhittinghamLily May-Symonds/BBC

    Organisers Steve Pascal and Claudette Whittingham

    With the parade in full swing, one of the organisers, Claudette Whittingham, says the delight of the crowd is infectious.

    "People always say to me, 'why do you love carnival?'," she says.

    "I think it's because of the mass happiness - you look around and you see the smiles on the faces, you see the joy and you think 'yes, all of the work and effort we put in is worth it because it's made people happy'."

  11. Carnival organiser is delighted the event's back at Wardown Park

    People in shaggy costumes on stiltsEmma Baugh/BBC

    Claudette Whittingham, executive director at Luton's UK Centre for Carnival Arts, tells BBC Three Counties Radio's Babs Michel how pleased she is that the event is back at its spiritual home: Wardown Park.

    "The community have said for a while they wanted it to be back in Wardown Park," she says.

    Whittingham says the vision for the carnival is growing too.

    "We did have a low period because of Covid, but it's growing and growing and we're back here and it's a platform on which we're going to build and it's going to get bigger, better, grander and bolder, so just keep coming," she says.

    A giant guinea pig costumeEmma Baugh/BBC

  12. After a two-and-a-half mile parade in wings and a head dress, BBC presenter Andy Collins tells Three Counties Radio listeners he's desperate for a "beer and an ice cream".

  13. BBC Three Counties Radio reports the parade has just reached Wardown Park.

  14. 'Colour is the personification of carnival,' says organiser

    We've managed a quick catch-up with Steve Pascal, executive producer of the Luton International Carnival.

    He says this year's event is especially important as "we're celebrating the 50th anniversary of carnival [and] the 150th anniversary of the borough".

    He says each event takes months of planning and organisers are now focused on making them as a family friendly and as sustainable as possible.

    For Pascal, today's event has been worth the hard work.

    "All you have to do is look around. This colour is the personification of carnival," he says.

  15. Luton's German twin town joins the fun

    A group of men, women and girls, dressed in red jackets and black tops and trousers, with some wearer patterned hats, smile at the camera. Some of the men are punching the air.Toby Friedner/BBC

    A group from one of Luton's twin towns - Bergisch Gladbach, near Cologne, in Germany - is taking part.

    It is 70 years since Luton and Bergisch Gladbach (which is actually officially a city) became twinned. Anniversary events such as a choral concert, featuring choirs from both locations, have been taking place.

  16. Police using facial recognition technology

    Two police vans equipped with facial recognition cameras parked in front of each other.Bedfordshire Police

    Bedfordshire Police confirmed it is using facial recognition technology at the carnival.

    The technology uses a camera feed to check faces against a watchlist in real-time.

    When a possible match is found, an alert is sent to officers.

    It was used at Notting Hill Carnival last year by the Metropolitan Police.

    The force said it will have officers from the procession's start point at Market Hill to Wardown Park.

    Det Supt Alex House said: “Our top priority is the safety and security of everyone attending and taking part in the carnival.

    “We will also have a large presence on the ground in Wardown Park to effectively police what will be a busy but enjoyable family event."

  17. Carnival fever is building!

    A group of six women wear elaborate and brightly-coloured costumes and pose in front of a shop.Lily-May Symonds/BBC

    As the clock counts down to the start of the carnival procession, people in all manner of brightly-coloured and elaborate costumes are starting to gather.

    Let the dancing and celebrations begin...

    A group of people pose for the camera with their arms out wearing brightly-patterned tops and trousers and white headscarves.Toby Friedner/BBC
    Six women dressed in gold and white costumes hold lanterns and a sign that says: United Nations Association Luton - Women for PeaceLily-May Symonds/BBC

  18. How do you keep cool in amazing costumes like this?

    Amber Ogunsanya-William stands in her elaborate bright pink and green hooped costume, while bearing a flag.Lily-May Symonds/BBC

    These costumes look gorgeous, but how are the people in them coping with the heat?

    Amber Ogunsanya-William says she loves the sunshine and the movement of her huge hooped skirt helps keep her cool.

    "It is very hot, I will be honest, but I'm alright because I'm spinning and twirling," she says.

  19. Hats off to James for the reminder of Luton's heritage

    James Anderson has dark hair and is wearing a straw hat with a band of material around it. He is also wearing a blue shirt, a tartan tie and braces.Lily-May Symonds/BBC

    There is a nod to Luton's past as one of the world's leading producers of hats among the stalls.

    James Anderson is believed to be the town's youngest traditional hat manufacturer - and he has his straw hats on display for all to see.

    Hats off to him too for the apt reminder that Luton Carnival evolved from the Easter bonnets parades which started off after World War Two.

  20. BBC presenter Andy Collins finds his carnival wings

    Andy Collins is holding on to huge black-and-gold striped wings and is wearing a pointy yellow headpiece.Lily-May Symonds/BBC

    BBC Three Counties breakfast presenter Andy Collins is really getting into the carnival spirit on his first ever visit.

    He can be spotted in the parade flapping a pair of newly found wings.

    Andy's sporting a striking headdress too.

    You can find out what he made of his carnival get-up here. Good luck Andy!