By KLTV Newsdesk – 

On Saturday, June 27th, the streets of Ashbrow came alive with a breathtaking kaleidoscope of colour, rhythm, and joy as residents and visitors gathered to celebrate the historic 25th Anniversary of the award-winning Deighton Carnival.

Under the evocative theme of “Deighton’s Heritage”, this year’s milestone silver jubilee festival solidified its reputation as one of the region’s premier family events, welcoming everyone to a magnificent day of completely free entertainment and multi-cultural celebration.

A Historic Procession and Vibrant Opening

The landmark festivities commenced with great anticipation as a specially invited celebrity guest officially opened the 2026 celebrations.

At 1:00 pm sharp, the legendary Carnival Procession departed from the grounds, embarking on a spectacular circular tour around the Ashbrow ward.

Led by the infectious rhythms of the Whitacre Close Troupe, the Preston-based Rhythm Carnival Troupe, and the spectacular Shell It Down Mas, the procession filled the local streets with vibrant costumes, dynamic dance, and community energy, before arriving back at the centre to a resounding reception from waiting crowds.

Star-Studded Stage Shows and Masterful Hosts

The central focal point of the afternoon was the dazzling main stage show, flawlessly orchestrated by an exceptional lineup of hosts and comperes.

Comperes Farda Fox representing CARTEL and DJ Sway from SWAYTEL brought boundless energy to the stadium crowd. The incredible audio experience was powered throughout the day by the formidable Million Int Sound System.

The main stage showcased an incredible array of regional and national performance groups, displaying extraordinary talent across genres:

White Rose Gymnastic School – Opened the performances with breathtaking, high-energy physical displays.

Rhythm Carnival Troupe & Shell It Down Mas – Filled the stage with traditional carnival elegance and dynamic rhythms.

Local Artist Showcases – Outstanding performances from Shante, House of Temidayo (H.O.T.), Reach Performing Arts, Grizlife, Kiki B, Dance Emporium, Dolly Mixture, and Serenity.

The absolute pinnacle of the afternoon arrived during the headline slot, featuring the extraordinary UK online legend, DJ AG.

Delivering an explosive live set, the iconic artist had the entire Deighton Centre crowd dancing in unison, capping off the 25-year milestone with unforgettable style.

The energy was maintained well into the evening with closing sets from Sir Grafta (“Graft Hard”) and M4gyver (“Simple Life Boss”).

A Full Festival of Music, Sport, and Family Fun

Beyond the main stage, the festival grounds offered a sprawling array of field and sports activities that ran from morning until dusk.

Sports enthusiasts enjoyed the action-packed Annual Five-A-Side Football Tournament, expertly hosted by the Deighton Into Sport Project (D.I.S.P.) and open to all ages, from kids to seniors, alongside highly competitive basketball and netball matches.

Meanwhile, fields were packed with families enjoying Tucker’s Fun Fair, massive bouncy castles, a giant slide, and interactive creative zones featuring Scotty’s Circus Workshops, Divine Magic, and beautiful Henna and Tattoo arts.

For music lovers, “The Endz Music Tent” provided an incredible alternative soundscape from midday until 7:00 pm.

Orchestrated by host MC Pope and headline selector DJ Trini, the tent featured non-stop music from an elite crew of selectors including DJ A+ (Young Gunz), DJ Silla, DJ Krazy Scott, DJ Bung, GMan, DJ Black Boy, DJ 2Bad, and DJ Stuttz.

Look Out for the Full Documentary Coming Soon!

For those who want to relive the magic or catch behind-the-scenes footage of this historic silver jubilee, KLTV (Kirklees Local Television) was on-site, capturing the day’s finest moments.

Look out for KLTV’s full documentary coming soon, which will feature exclusive interviews, stunning procession footage, and a comprehensive look back at 25 years of Deighton Carnival history.