A group of eight people stand together on a lawn in front of a dense green hedge, smiling at the camera. The group is casually dressed in a mix of jackets, fleeces and jeans. One woman in the centre wears a purple patterned jacket and has bright red hair; another woman to her right has short silver hair and a green jacket. Two men wear wide-brimmed hats. The setting appears to be a garden in an overcast daylight.
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Cowley Road Carnival comeback: fundraising drive for focused 2026 event to help pave the way for full return in 2027

By June 3, 2026No Comments
Oxford charity Cowley Road Works announces a new leadership team, and launches fundraising push for one of East Oxford’s most-loved community celebrations

Cowley Road Carnival is at a critical moment. The charity behind it, Cowley Road Works, urgently needs to raise £130,000 by the end of June to secure Carnival this year and help safeguard its future.

Participation registration forms for community groups and performers will be released in due course. Further updates, including funding progress and ways to get involved, will be shared at cowleyroadworks.org and across the Cowley Road Works social media channels.

If you want to make a real stand against hate and division, please make supporting Cowley Road Carnival a priority. Whether through donations, introductions to funders or sharing this message, every action matters right now.

Rosie Jacobs said:
“As an East Oxford resident, I’m thrilled to be part of the team bringing back Cowley Road Carnival. It is one of Oxford’s most important civic and cultural spaces, one of the few places where people across age, class, ethnicity and background come together in a shared act of creativity, joy and participation.
At a time when division and hate are tearing communities apart, Carnival stands for the opposite: unity, celebration, belonging and the richness of Oxford’s diverse communities. Events like this are the frontline in bringing people together and reminding us what connects us as human beings.
We plan to hold an event on Sunday 20th September as a stepping stone towards bringing back a full Carnival on 4th July 2027, to strengthen local relationships and create a sustainable, community-led future for one of East Oxford’s most important community and cultural celebrations.”
Alan Brown said:
“2026 is about creating a tight, well-delivered event that gives us the platform to go bigger and better in 2027. The board is in place, the team is in place, the plan is clear. Some incredibly generous donors have already stepped forward, but if just 20 more people and businesses donated £5,000 each, we would reach the target. Please come and talk to us now.”

Cowley Road Carnival is at a critical moment. The charity behind it, Cowley Road Works, urgently needs to raise £130,000 by the end of June to secure Carnival this year and help safeguard its future.

Participation registration forms for community groups and performers will be released in due course. Further updates, including funding progress and ways to get involved, will be shared at cowleyroadworks.org and across the Cowley Road Works social media channels.

If you want to make a real stand against hate and division, please make supporting Cowley Road Carnival a priority. Whether through donations, introductions to funders or sharing this message, every action matters right now.

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