Govanhill Carnival brings thousands together in celebration and solidarity

More than 3,000 Gather in Govanhill for the Tenth International Festival and Carnival

More than 3,000 people gathered in Govanhill on Saturday 1 August as the neighbourhood marked the opening of the tenth Govanhill International Festival and Carnival.

The free Carnival parade began at the Victoria Road gates of Queen’s Park before moving through the streets of Govanhill and finishing at Govanhill Park. There, the celebrations continued with live music, food, community stalls and activities for all ages.

Over 1,000 people joined the parade itself, including local residents, families, children and young people, community organisations, artists, musicians and campaigners. Many more travelled from across Glasgow’s southside and beyond to take part.

The procession featured performances from Brass Aye, Bloco Dandara, Nikkan Dance Academy and artist Freida Ford, alongside drummers, dancers, colourful costumes, banners and music.

Crowds gathering for the Govanhill International Festival and Carnival parade

Rather than simply watching from the sidelines, people became part of the celebration. They walked, danced, carried banners and made music alongside their neighbours.

Parade participants dancing and carrying banners through the streets of Govanhill

Fatima Uygun, CEO of Govanhill Baths Community Trust, said:

“The Carnival is one of my favourite days of the year because it shows Govanhill at its very best. People from different cultures, generations and backgrounds come together not simply to celebrate, but to stand together.”

A decade of anti racist celebration

The Carnival is a central part of Govanhill’s annual anti racist festival. It gives local people the opportunity to celebrate the cultures and communities that have shaped the area, while challenging the negative stereotypes too often attached to the neighbourhood.

This year held particular significance. It marked ten years of the Govanhill International Festival and Carnival, alongside the twenty fifth anniversary of the occupation of Govanhill Baths.

The theme for 2026 was Solidarity, reflecting Govanhill’s long history of community organising, resistance and collective action.

Throughout the parade, everyday public spaces were transformed by samba, brass music, dance and community participation. The atmosphere was vibrant and welcoming, with people of different cultures, generations and backgrounds filling the streets together.

The celebration continued in Govanhill Park, where an audience of around 3,000 people enjoyed performances from Maz and the Phantasms, Makongo, Samba Sene and Diwan, Bloco Dandara and Romane Cierhenia.

Performers on stage at Govanhill Park during the Carnival

Celebrating what collective action can achieve

Behind the music and celebration was a deeper story about the strength of organised communities.

In 2001, local people occupied Govanhill Baths to prevent the closure of an important community asset. The campaign grew into one of Glasgow’s most significant examples of community resistance and eventually led to the creation of Govanhill Baths Community Trust.

Twenty five years later, thousands of people once again filled Govanhill’s streets. This time, they came together to celebrate what can happen when communities organise, protect the places they value and take an active role in shaping their future.

Fatima said:

“This year felt particularly significant because we are marking ten years of our anti racist festival and twenty five years since the occupation of the Baths. The message is the same: our communities have the power to shape their own future.”

Fatima Uygun, CEO of Govanhill Baths Community Trust, at the Carnival

The Carnival offered a vivid expression of Govanhill’s character. It celebrated difference while showing what connects the community: a shared commitment to solidarity, participation and collective ownership.

For Power to Prosper, that spirit sits at the heart of community wealth building. Communities already hold knowledge, creativity and expertise. When local people are supported to organise and take ownership, they can protect what they have built and create lasting change on their own terms.

Community members celebrating together at the Govanhill Carnival

As Fatima explained:

“The parade is joyful, but it is also an act of solidarity. We are saying very clearly that Govanhill belongs to everyone, that our diversity is our strength and that we will continue to stand together against racism and division.”