At the beginning of every July an explosion of colour, a riot of music and dance, and an all-night rave in one of Bristol's most infamous neighbourhoods joins the city in community spirit (for one day, one night only). By day there's the colourful carnival parade with Brazil-style costumed performers dancing round St Pauls. It's all wholesome fun for all the family and a lot of local schools get involved. Portland Square is filled with jerk chicken stalls and various performances by big names such as circus school circomedia or small motley crews of hippies take place in the grassy park which forms the centre of the square. Throughout St Pauls there are concerts (hosted by local radio station Ujima FM) and various other eclectic forms of entertainment such as poetry readings and market stalls. By night things are very different. Massive soundsystems are rigged up on a few key streets and heavier sounds of drum and bass and jungle take over from where dub and reggae left off. The same carnivalesque spirit pervades, but things do get a little darker (and I'm not just talking about the level of light here). St Paul's carnival is one of the best days out Bristol has to offer. It also serves a social purpose in attracting residents from other neighbourhoods to a historically marginalised area, creating an inimitable spirit of fun and unity which transcends social and cultural boundaries. read more