Countdown to carnival

HUDDERSFIELD Carnival will return to the town centre with an explosion of music and colour from July 7 to 9 this year.

The vibrant festival, organised by Huddersfield African Caribbean Cultural Trust (HACCT), celebrates African and Caribbean traditions through parades, performances and a whole lot of partying.

In its 33rd year the carnival has been extended over three days with the introduction of a Sunday music festival in Greenhead park.

Here’s our guide to what’s on:

The midnight Glow Parade on the Friday will light up the town centre streets until the early hours of Saturday: a luminous and rhythmic procession of music and dance.

The main carnival parade leaves the Hudawi Centre at noon, dances through Huddersfield town centre and culminates at Greenhead Park at around 8pm. Ticket-holders in the park can enjoy street art, live music, activities and workshops all centred around African Caribbean tradition.

The Sunday music festival aims to recreate the atmosphere of the Caribbean through live performances of reggae, soca and steel pan music. As well as the main stage, a family area and a storytelling section will offer a more alternative for kids. The park opens at noon and closes at 7pm. early-bird application offers 10% off and first choice of pitch. The deadline for application forms is June 16 and they can be found at www.huddersfieldcarnival.co.uk/ category/applications