On Sunday 14 November, London Mela returns to present Southall Carnival of Lights. This is a kind ‘Night Carnival’ featuring extraordinary performance, fabulously-lit floats and lots of community participation, all taking place in Southall, the oldest South Asian community in Europe.

As with any London Mela event, there are artists at the heart of this carnival. The procession will be led by The Dhol Company accompanied by the Munde Punjab De Bhangra Dancers. They will be followed by over 120 lit up paper lanterns made by 240 school children from Southall primary schools and their families.

Joining the parade are the engineers of imagination, Emergency Exit Arts who will present their magical Firebird sculpture. They will be promenading with Jay Kumar’s Bolly Brollys featuring Cirque Bijou’s illuminated umbrellas and Circus Flambe’s spectacular pyro performers.

THE CARNIVAL ROUTE

The Carnival starts at the London Mela’s usual home of Southall Park, exiting through the adjacent Boyd Avenue Gate at 6PM. It then turns right into Avenue Road and from there turns left onto Uxbridge Road. The Carnival then travels to its main viewing area, turning left into South Road between approximately 6.15 and 6.40 PM. It then returns to Southall Park for the grand finale via Park Avenue, Avenue Rd and Boyd Avenue.

Southall Carnival of Lights is sponsored by Sunrise Radio and supported by the Culture Recovery Fund, administered by Arts Council England. With further support from Berkley St James and Ealing Council.

Photo: Dylan Parrin