University of Brighton joins celebration of Black culture at Brighton BASH Carnival

Staff and students at the University of Brighton are set to join the Brighton BASH Carnival, which is a vibrant, family-friendly celebration of Black culture, music, and community. The carnival is hosted by BARCO, a Black-led community organisation working to tackle racism while celebrating and strengthening Black culture, Black people living, working, studying and visiting Brighton & Hove and the surrounding area.

The full-day festival will feature live performances across multiple stages, international food traders, workshops, and a community parade.

This year's theme, “Water”, draws on Brighton & Hove’s relationship with the sea and on water’s power to connect people across continents, cultures and generations.

The 2026 Brighton BASH Carnival will take place at St Ann’s Well Gardens on Saturday 25 July 2026, from 11am to 8pm, hosting popular UK artists alongside local talent, and include an expanded children's area, a flagship carnival parade, and a short moment of reflection centred on hope and unity.

While the festival is in its sixth year running, the University’s involvement this year forms part of a wider recent partnership with BARCO geared at deepening community connections and creating more inclusive opportunities. 

The partnership is another step in the university's ambition to be the first-choice for enterprise and equity modelled to address differential outcomes for students.

The partnership includes collaboration on Black History Month activities, community support sessions, and listening spaces designed to strengthen dialogue between the university and Black communities in the city and region.

Professor Kene Igweonu, Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the University of Brighton, said: “Brighton BASH Carnival is one of the clearest expressions of what our partnership with BARCO is about. It brings students, staff and the wider Brighton community together in a shared celebration of culture, creativity and community, and it gives us a chance to show up not just as a supporter but as a genuine part of the day.

“Supporting this year's carnival, and BARCO's new Roots & Routes programme, reflects our commitment as a civic anchor institution: to work alongside our communities, listen more carefully, and help build a more inclusive Brighton for everyone.”

The BARCO Board added: “Water has no borders. It moves, adapts and brings people together, and that is the energy we want to create at Brighton BASH Carnival this year. This is a day for Black joy, culture and creativity, but it is also an invitation to the whole city to come together, connect and move forward as one.”

Brighton BASH Carnival is delivered by BARCO with support from organisations including Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club, Brighton & Hove City Council. Donations and proceeds from the carnival raffle go directly towards BARCO's work, helping to keep the event free for the community.

BARCO will also use the carnival to launch its new Roots & Routes programme, a 12-month, internship-style scheme supported through Arts Council funding, giving emerging performers, curators and event professionals hands-on experience of producing a grassroots, community-led carnival.

Tickets and full programme details are available on the BARCO website.