Huddersfield Carnival won’t be returning in 2022 – but the “biggest and best” is promised for next year as part of Kirklees Year of Music 2023.

The Covid-19 pandemic meant the carnival didn’t take place in 2020 or 2021 and organisers were hoping to bring the carnival and parade back to Greenhead Park this summer.

However, with the carnival set to cost more than £100,000 to stage and a lack of professional event organisers and volunteers, the Huddersfield Carnival Management Committee have postponed the return for another year.

In a statement the committee said: “As you all know, the unprecedented challenges of Covid-19 halted carnival plans in 2020 and 2021. We remained undefeated and ‘kept the vibe alive’ hosting our vibrant carnival online.

“Huddersfield Carnival Management Committee (CMC) have been working hard to bring our carnival to Greenhead Park in 2022.

“In February we met with Kirklees Council officers including the leader of the council, Clr Shabir Pandor. Although Clr Pandor is very enthusiastic about carnival and passionate about its return, it became clear that holding Huddersfield Carnival in 2022 is not possible for a variety of reasons:

  • Funds in excess of £100,000 would be needed;
  • Skilled professionals to support the event are in short supply following the pandemic;
  • The need for more volunteers.

“We know many of you will be disappointed by this news. CMC are deeply disappointed but remain committed to the Huddersfield community of still ‘keeping the vibe alive.’ Due to this we are working on an exciting plan for 2022, with Kirklees Council to:

  • Hold an event on Windrush Day 2022;
  • Hold a park event in July 2022 which will celebrate the vibrance of Caribbean carnival culture;
  • Organise coach trips to neighbouring carnivals.

“We have a commitment from Kirklees Council to support us to hold the ‘biggest and best’ carnival for 2023 as part of Kirklees Year of Music.

“CMC we would like to thank you for your continued support and remain committed to volunteering around our work/university/family to ‘keep the vibe alive’ and look forward to seeing you at our exciting 2022 events.”

Anyone who wants to volunteer or help can get in touch via the Huddersfield Carnival website.