Janine GriffithsLeeds is gearing up for one of the biggest celebrations of the year today as the West Indian Carnival brings music, dancing, elaborate costumes and Caribbean culture to the streets of Chapeltown and Harehills.
The annual carnival is taking place on Bank Holiday Monday, with around 100,000 people expected to attend across the day.
Now in its 59th year, Leeds West Indian Carnival has become one of the UK’s biggest Caribbean carnival celebrations and a major event in the city’s cultural calendar.
The day’s celebrations got under way early this morning with the J’Ouvert Morning procession, which began at 6am from the Leeds Caribbean and African Centre.
The traditional early-morning celebration made its way through local streets before finishing at around 8.30am, marking the start of a packed day of festivities.
The main carnival parade gets under way at 2pm from Potternewton Park on Harehills Lane.
The colourful procession will travel along Harehills Avenue, Spencer Place, Roundhay Road, Barrack Road and Chapeltown Road before returning to Potternewton Park.
Carnival troupes will complete the route twice, with the first lap allowing judges to view the costumes and performances before the second lap gives participants the chance to enjoy the carnival atmosphere.
Visitors can expect a vibrant mix of music, dancing, performances and spectacular costumes, alongside food stalls serving Caribbean favourites.
The carnival follows a weekend of events in Potternewton Park, including the Black Music Festival on Sunday.
People heading into Chapeltown and Harehills are being advised to plan their journeys carefully, with extensive road closures in place around the carnival route.
Harehills Avenue, Spencer Place, Roundhay Road, Barrack Road and Chapeltown Road are among the roads affected, while bus services in the area are also subject to diversions.
Organisers are encouraging visitors to use public transport where possible.
With tens of thousands of people expected to fill the streets, today’s carnival promises to bring a huge burst of colour, sound and energy to Chapeltown and Harehills as Leeds celebrates its long-standing Caribbean heritage and community spirit.
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