It's been three long years since a full St Paul's Carnival illuminated Bristol. The one-day shindig is our city's biggest celebration of Afro-Caribbean culture, and at its heart, it unites all communities.
So much effort goes into creating the colourful, sparkling costumes of each float, which glide with smiling faces and flamboyant dance moves. Lively music blares from every corner of St Paul's, creating a true carnival atmosphere.
The free event caters to all ages, with kids dancing in the procession alongside pensioners and everyone in between. Away from the main stalls, locals sell their homemade treats on their doorsteps, or punch - made using a family's ancient recipes - can be purchased on the pavement.
READ MORE: St Paul's Carnival in pictures as thousands attend first event in three years
Around every corner, there is a new surprise, whether it's a sign offering revellers the use of someone's private loo for a pound or a small stall where kids can have their hair braided.
Executive director LaToyah McAllister-Jones, said ten months of meticulous planning went into creating the incredible event, which year marked two milestone anniversaries. They included 60 years since the Bristol Bus Boycott and 75 years since the HMT Empire Windrush arrived in Britain.
St Pauls Carnival 2023 also paid homage to Bristol Bus Boycott activist and Carnival forefather, Roy Hackett MBE, who passed away in August last year.
LaToyah told Bristol Live: "It's been ten months of meticulous planning, lots of moving parts, lots of different people involved.
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"The theme of this year is learning from legends, it's also the Windrush 75, the NHS 75, the 60th of the Bristol Boycott, it's a really significant year for St Pauls Carnival to be back out on the streets.
"We are remembering the legends that we have lost and the ones we are raising - it feels really good."
Around 100,000 revellers descended on Bristol from across the country and even Europe.
Taking to social media, Cotham School leaders praised their pupils who took part in the main procession. They said: "Our students were such a credit to the school and joy to watch at the St. Paul's Carnival parade today! We are so proud of them."
After their three-year hiatus, we hope the event will now become an annual Bristol event again.
