History of the Waterloo Carnival

The Waterloo Carnival has a proud history. Since London's earliest days, Waterloo has always been a site of theatrics and performance. As north London attracted wealthy business and land owners, the south bank became home to aspiring performers and artists. It is unsurprising that Philip Astley, the inventor of the Circus, Charlie Chaplin, The National Theatre and Shakespeare's Dome all found a home on the southern shores of the River Thames. To this day, their legacy endures.

Steeped in a rich history of the arts, the first Waterloo Carnival was hosted in 2002, and has grown over the years to become an annual fixture in the Waterloo community. True to the history of the area, the Carnival provides a place for all people to be included, for music, dance, art and theatre to be shared, and the professionals bring the flair that inspires our performers – young and old. Today, the Carnival continues to be a colourful celebration of the diversity that makes Waterloo such a special place.