Hackney Carnival off as council pours resources into coronavirus fight

This year’s Hackney Carnival has been called off as the council and local emergency services focus resources on the coronavirus pandemic.

The annual parade was set to take place in September and will now be replaced by a digital programme led by carnival regulars from grassroots groups across the borough, more details of which will be announced soon.

Mayor Philip Glanville said the cancellation was “sad news”, but that the safety of the community takes priority.

The Town Hall says significant planning goes into the parade, and the decision to scrap it will allow public bodies to concentrate on delivering vital services to those in need over the coming months.

It confirmed that the move is not related to any public health restrictions that could be in place in September.

Mayor Glanville said: “Hackney Carnival is a major and important event and a time we look forward to sharing and enjoying each other’s cultures in event spaces and on our streets.

“In the face of the coronavirus pandemic, we have to do what’s right for the safety of our community and resilience as a borough.

“While this is sad news, we will safeguard funding for some of the finest carnival groups in London and use our creative energies to produce an alternative program that still brings us together. 

“We have already been in touch with the many stakeholders and groups who work hard to deliver this valuable event to explain our decision.

“We thank them all for their understanding – as well as their creativity, as we adapt our initial plans.”

He confirmed that the plan is for the Carnival to make a “spectacular comeback” in 2021.

Last year’s show attracted over 80,000 people, making it the largest event in the borough’s cultural calendar.

For more information on council support for arts and cultural institutions, venues and organisations, visit hackney.gov.uk/culture