The popular carnival along Cowley Road in east Oxford returns to the streets again on Sunday 1 September. The theme ‘Our Nature Our Future’ underscores Cowley Road Carnival’s longstanding commitment to being eco-friendly – no polluting vehicles are allowed.
Postponed and cancelled several times due to Covid and organisational challenges, a new team at organiser Cowley Road Works has brought the community together to ensure the event can go ahead.
Starting at about 11.30 from Circus Street and turning right into the bottom (city) end of Cowley Road, the 25 groups will head east and finish at St Mary & St John’s Church.
You can expect to see west London’s pioneering Nostalgia Steel Band – celebrating its 60th anniversary this year – Jamboulay Mas, Ark-T Mas, Pegasus Mas, several samba bands, groups celebrating the cultures of Ghana, Pakistan, Kashmir, Nepal, Timor and Papua, and Yaram Arts Medieval African Carnival, among others.
A stage in Manzil Gardens will host bands playing a variety of music and a family area, and there will also be an alcohol-free and peaceful zone in Restore Gardens. For those in need of refreshment, around 45 stalls will add to Cowley Road’s normal attractions. It’s long been known as a hub for cafes and restaurants and Soca News can certainly recommend the excellent Spiced Roots Caribbean restaurant (OX4 1JB).
Oxford is notoriously car-unfriendly, so it’s best to take the train from Paddington or Marylebone, or the Oxford Tube coach (cheaper but slower) from outside Victoria railway station. When you arrive at Oxford station, a direct bus runs every 15 minutes to Magdalen Road East, taking about 20 minutes.
More info at cowleyroadcarnival.
