Frequently Asked Questions

Always the 3^rd Weekend Sunday in July

Sunday 21^st July 2024

Osmaston Park gates open at 1.00 pm and close at 9.00pm.

The carnival parade starts at 1.00 pm (from the city centre).

Last entry to the carnival site is at 8.00pm

From 10:00 am – 12:00 pm Mas’ workshop @ cathedral Green DE1 3QE

1.00pm formal carnival procession line up and start of troupe procession.

Family fun day opens from 1.00pm till 9.00pm at Osmaston Park DE23 9HY

It is £5 per person to enter the Carnival site, however under 12s are free.

It’s free to watch the Carnival troupe parade, which starts at 1.00pm from the Line up at Cathedral Green officially starts from Market Place – City Centre and takes a four (4) km route to Osmaston Park (DE23 8HY)

There is very limited designated parking at Osmaston park site before 12midday and no exit until 9pm. Better parking options to the designated official carnival car park – Rolls Royce Car Park site Victory Road. 

These are available from Gigantic for £5.00 per person.

On Osmaston Park there will be a range of entertainment suitable for everyone. Live stage music showcase with international headline act(s). Carnival troupe dance performances (dance off competition), Steel Bands, and support acts Sound system zone UK leading sounds with popular DJ’s (if possible international sound systems / DJ(s) playing all genres of music to include Soca, Reggae, Afro beat, Calypso, Dancehall etc. Once the next carnival programme is confirmed Click here to download or visit DWICA website.

There is no official transport for carnival. Public and or private transport is used by the public. Local people will walk to the venue (1-2km radius)

Yes. Osmaston park – Secure parking is available £2) for the day @ The Rolls Royce car park (Victory Road) which is signposted on route to the carnival family fun day @ Osmaston Park

The procession in the Market Place / Cathedral Green, city centre – there are a number of nationally recognised public car parks near the city centre Market Place.

Such car parks will be either cash or Contactless card payments. 

Food: There will be a wide range of Caribbean catering food stalls available for you to experience at Osmaston Park

Drinks: DWICA is the only organisation legally to provide a licensed bar on the Carnival site selling both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. You cannot bring your own alcohol onto the site – your bag will be searched, and any alcohol found will be confiscated so please do not try to bring it with you!

If you are interested in having a food stall at the Carnival, please email info@dwica.co.uk

ALL Bags will be checked on entry to the Carnival site.

You can bring on site:

• Small foldable chairs (You may be asked to move if space becomes limited)
• Compact umbrellas and small sunshades for children
• Picnic blankets (You may be asked to move if space becomes limited)
• Picnic food

Please do not bring on site:

• Dogs (except registered Guide Dogs)
• Alcohol
• Glass bottles
• Cameras and photography equipment that have detachable lenses
• Knives, including kitchen knives for picnics.
• Recreational drugs and legal highs
• Bicycles
• BBQs
• Large umbrellas
• Any other items deemed to cause an obstruction.

Note: restricted items CANNOT be stored at the gate for collection later

Official photographers and videographers have been commissioned to take photographs and film at Derby Caribbean Carnival.

The photographs may be published as part of our promotional material.

Any footage may be posted on the organisation’s website as promotional material.

If you have any queries about this, please contact the DWICA via info@dwica.co.uk

If you are interested in having a trade, food or promotional / information stall please email info@dwica.co.uk or ring 01332 371529.

All stall holders must complete the application process and submit the required additional paperwork. All stalls must be paid for in full prior to the event to enable access on site.

DWICA is the legal body that is responsible for Derby Caribbean Carnival. Derby Caribbean Carnival Planning Group (DCCPG) is the task group accountable to DWICA.

DCCPG has committed people who discuss and plan the event. There is an open-door policy which means anyone who wishes to contribute to the planning and delivery process of Derby Caribbean Carnival is welcome to attend meetings

There are generally 300-400 troupes that attend from various cities nationally e.g. from Nottingham, Leicester, Northampton, Leeds, Preston, Huddersfield, Luton, and London.

DWICA Troupes commonly known as Cultural Roots Carnival Troupe (CRCT). The design and make process is ongoing with draft designs and discussion to explore the making process.

By investing in young people, DWICA has seen the development of carnival costumes to the levels where Derby costumes have won local, regional, and national awards in the Caribbean carnival industry

Send an email to info@dwica.co.uk or ring 01332 371529 to discuss with the relevant DCCPG member

DWICA always encourages schools’ involvement and recognise that Derby Caribbean carnival takes place during the school holidays. Some schools work with DWICA to promote the benefits through creative arts workshop sessions

Please email info@dwica.co.uk or ring 01332 371529 if you think you can make a contribution to Derby Caribbean Carnival. It may be useful to share your relevant skills set and availability of time to get involved in the planning process.

Please email info@dwica.co.uk or ring 01332 371529 if you think you can make a contribution to Derby Caribbean Carnival. It may be useful to share your relevant skills set and availability of time to get involved in the planning process.

Please email info@dwica.co.uk or ring 01332 371529 if you think you can make a contribution to Derby Caribbean Carnival. It may be useful to share your relevant skills set and availability of time to get involved in the planning process

For security. We want everyone to be safe at Carnival and to keep it a positive, family friendly event. This means monitoring all who are seeking to enter the event. Only guide dogs are allowed on site, NO OTHER DOGS are allowed in the carnival event.

The Police actually classify this event as a ‘low risk.’ There is generally a mixture of community support officers and regular police on duty. In addition, you will see many SIA qualified security personnel on duty during the event

Like us on Facebook (Derby Caribbean Carnival) visit DWICA website, email info@dwica.co.uk

Derby Caribbean carnival was established in 1975 as a result of Solomon “Ricky” Walters DWICA chairman at the time.

During Covid-19 pandemic we were not able to hold the Carnival in 2020 and 2021, so we broadcasted two virtual carnivals during these years. DWICA recorded large viewing figures especially with the Beenie Man (King of Dancehall) and the Kanneh-Masons (an all-African Caribbean orchestral family) performance in 2021.

DWICA does not get any funding from Derby City Council since 2012 and as such the public entry fee pays for the carnival infrastructure.

DWICA receives additional funds from money from Arts Council England, stallholders, and advertisers.

DWICA underwrites all other carnival infrastructure costs which over recent years has become problematic.

Do you ask local or large companies to contribute?

Yes, approaches are made to local and large companies. A new sponsorship package detailing how and what companies can contribute to has been drafted and a final document should be ready in 2024 onwards.

This year we would like to thank our main sponsors.

• Arts Council England
• East Midlands Caribbean Carnival Arts Network (EMCCAN)
• Unite Union.