Cowley Road Carnival event could return this September

Organisers are aiming to bring back the Cowley Road Carnival in Oxford with a 'focused' event planned for Sunday, September 20.

If successful, this could lead to a full-scale carnival return in 2027.

The charity behind the event, Cowley Road Works, has spent the past year strengthening its governance, staffing, fundraising and communications foundations and recently announced new board appointments to support the effort.

Rosie Jacobs, director of Independent Oxford, has been named chair of trustees, while Alan Brown, who has delivered Flo Fest and The Leys Festival, becomes general manager.

Katy Steele from Oxford bass music label CruCast joins as communications manager.

Ms Jacobs said: "As an East Oxford resident, I’m thrilled to be part of the team bringing back Cowley Road Carnival.

"It is one of Oxford’s most important civic and cultural spaces, one of the few places where people across age, class, ethnicity and background come together in a shared act of creativity, joy and participation."

She said the 2026 event would serve as a vital step toward restoring the carnival in full.

Ms Jacobs said: "We plan to hold an event on Sunday 20th September as a stepping stone towards bringing back a full Carnival on 4th July 2027, to strengthen local relationships and create a sustainable, community-led future for one of East Oxford’s most important community and cultural celebrations."

The carnival, which did not take place in 2025, last filled the streets in 2024.

Organisers said future events depend on both financial support and final approvals.

Mr Brown said: "2026 is about creating a tight, well-delivered event that gives us the platform to go bigger and better in 2027.

"The board is in place, the team is in place, the plan is clear.

"Some incredibly generous donors have already stepped forward, but if just 20 more people and businesses donated £5,000 each, we would reach the target.

"Please come and talk to us now."

Cowley Road Carnival remains at a critical crossroads and its future depends on urgent fundraising.

Cowley Road Works needs to raise £130,000 by the end of June to deliver the 2026 event and secure the carnival's long-term future.

The organisers emphasise the event’s role in promoting positive community values.

Ms Jacobs said: "At a time when division and hate are tearing communities apart, Carnival stands for the opposite: unity, celebration, belonging and the richness of Oxford’s diverse communities.

"Events like this are the frontline in bringing people together and reminding us what connects us as human beings."

The event was cancelled last year, with organisers saying the decision was made to 'focus on getting the foundations right', noting governance, staffing, and securing sustainable funding.

Updates on funding progress, participation opportunities, and other details will be shared on cowleyroadworks.org and the charity’s social media channels.