St Pauls Carnival Map and Set Times.
When is St Pauls Carnival?
This years carnival occurs on Saturday 1st July 2026.
Once the carnival has started it becomes a lot harder to work out which sound systems are where! Stages and sound systems are scattered throughout the streets of St Pauls. Closer to the time this page will include a Google map with each scheduled stage. These include the infamous PA systems and speaker stacks which the evening part of St Pauls Carnival is known for.
Our editor's top live music recommendation
Stage organisers can use this page to announce set times for the djs and mcs for the music stages and sound systems at Bristol’s 2026 carnival. While the main stages focus on Caribbean music, it’s foolish to consider St Pauls carnival as predominantly dub and reggae event. Programmed by sound system owners and local promoters, the lineups for the stages each bring different musical styles and artists to the 2026 event. From established drum & bass and dubstep djs to the cutting edge electronica and house producers that Bristol is becoming known for, St Pauls carnival by night is a celebration of Bristol’s diverse music scene.
When the sound systems switch off around midnight, the party moves indoors with almost every venue in Bristol boasting some form of St Pauls carnival after party. After parties range from big club events in venues like Lakota, Basement 45, The Black Swan and Blue Mountain, to free-entry all-nighters in the pubs and bars around St Pauls and Stokes Croft. The event listings below outline all of the free and paid after parties for this years carnival.
This year's carnival after parties
From: Gwaan Madd Residency
“Join Bristol City Poet Sukina Noor for a St Pauls Carnival themed poetry workshop to kick off Carnival Day! Date: Saturday 4th July 2026 Time: 13:00 - 14:30 Venue: Malcolm X Community Centre (Harriet Tubman Room) Price: FREE Join Bristol City Poet Sukina Noor for a poetry workshop responding to the themes and history of carnival. You will be guided through interactive writing prompts to create your own response to carnival. The workshop is open and welcome to people of all backgrounds, and all levels of writing experience. Presented by Lyra Festival and St Pauls Carnival, and supported by Renaissance One and Melanie Abrahams. This workshop is open to all. 14+ (accompanied by adult) #LyraFest”
From: St Pauls Carnival | Poetry Workshop w/ Sukina Noor
“CGC Sound System are proud to announce a carnival special featuring Bristol roots/dub veterans: NEGUS MELODY! CGC Sound System’s 2nd ever session was at Canteen for St Pauls Carnival 3 years ago! 3 Years later they’re back to help mark the occasion with Bristol roots/dub veterans: NEGUS MELODY! Alongside Negus Melody (and as is tradition) CGC Sound System will be providing selections reaching into roots, dub, steppas and sound system music. July 4th - SAVE THE DATE FREE ENTRY BEFORE 930 £6 AFTER SEE YA IN THE DANCE Poster by @lifemoves.png Photos from CGC Sound at Lost Horizon, taken by @turiya_sounds”
From: Carnival Afterparty CGC Sound System Presents: NEGUS MELODY