By Major Udaibahadur Gurung MBE
Director, Colchester City Carnival and Funfair 2026

The sun smiled on Colchester. Neither too hot nor too cold, with a gentle breeze and just enough cloud to keep the sky company, the weather could not have been kinder to us.

Against this glorious backdrop, the Colchester City Carnival and Funfair 2026 unfolded into a dazzling celebration of diversity, unity, and community pride, surpassing even our boldest expectations. Held on Saturday, 18 July, and led by the Colchester Diverse Communities Network (CDCN), this year’s event showed what is possible when people of all backgrounds come together with a shared purpose and joy.

To every community, family, volunteer, and visitor who made this day theirs: thank you. This Carnival belongs to all of Colchester, and it shone because all of Colchester showed up for it.

Planning a Carnival with Purpose
Planning for the 2026 event began in October 2025, building on the momentum of three successful prior years. Early sponsor commitments of £6,000 grew to nearly £10,000 through generous local support. Over several months, our team held strategic meetings, trustee sessions, and public briefings to prepare every detail—from early applications to Amphora Ltd, to noise mitigation plans for residents around Lower Castle Park.

At the heart of all this preparation was CDCN’s core mission: to bring communities together, honour cultural richness, and promote social cohesion through inclusive celebration.

A Day to Remember: Carnival Highlights
On Friday afternoon, Trustee Thanuja Gunaratna from the Sri Lankan community, along with Director Buddhi Bahadur Tulachan, Captain Umesh Kumar Pun MVO, and myself marked out the ground for 62 community and food stalls.

Saturday morning saw community groups arrive early to put the finishing touches on their preparations, and by midday, the energy across Colchester was electric. Led by our team alongside a vibrant ensemble—including Carnival dancers, the Town Crier, the Town Watch, and our Carnival King, Queen, Prince, and Princesses (organized by Pam Waller)—the procession swept through the historic town centre. Featuring spectacular performances by the Dhaulagiri Naumati Baja (Nepali band) and the Efue Say Cultural Academy with fire-eating acts, the parade delighted onlookers along the High Street before making its way into Lower Castle Park.

The glorious weather held throughout the procession as crowds lined both sides of the road, captivated by the Nepali band. In front of the Town Hall, the procession paused for two minutes, allowing me the great pleasure of saluting the Deputy Mayor, local MP Pam Cox, and our generous sponsors, without whom this Carnival and Funfair would not have been possible. With the VIPs saluted, the procession continued into Lower Castle Park.

From 1:45 pm to 7:30 pm, the park came alive with a vibrant range of activities:

30 on-stage community performances featuring traditional attire and cultural expressions, alongside a grand raffle draw sponsored by Kip McGrath English and Maths Tutoring, SignAce Sign Maker, Dhaulagiri Store, and CDCN.

• 17 international food stalls, serving authentic flavours from around the globe.
• Funfair rides and ice cream vans, bringing joy to children and families.
• Red Knights International Firefighters Motorcycle Club (England Chapter 4).
• The Anti Loo Brigade Festival, featuring their Luton van.
• Essex Blood Runners volunteers.
• Dhaulagiri Naumati Baja (Nepali band) and Limbu Traditional Drums members.
• Chris Mayne’s World of Magic and stilt walkers.
• Merchandise and outreach stalls, including key services such as Essex Search and Rescue, the NHS Cancer Awareness campaign, Colchester Unite Against Racism (CUAR), Linda Whyte of Colchester Stand Up to Racism, and Greenpeace UK.

Thanks to our incredible MC team—Rodney, Liz, Sami, Navami, and DJ Ross—the stage stayed lively and engaging all day long. Their professionalism ensured every act had its moment in the spotlight, creating an unforgettable celebration of multicultural expression.

As the sun began to set over Lower Castle Park, the day drew to a close with our raffle draw, met with cheers and laughter from the crowd. I then had the honour of officially closing the 2026 Carnival and Funfair, expressing my gratitude to every community, volunteer, performer, stallholder, sponsor, and visitor who made the day so special. It was the perfect note to end on: a whole town, still smiling and united, as the lights came down on another unforgettable event.

The People Behind the Magic
This success was possible only through the unwavering dedication of many individuals. Special thanks go to Captain Umesh Kumar Pun MVO, Mr. Buddhi Bahadur Tulachan, Mr. Mukti Limbu, Mr. Khagendra Hamal, Mr. Thanuja Gunaratna (Trustee/Treasurer) and his family, Mrs. Kamala Khatri (Vice Chair, Colchester Nepalese Society), Mr. Kul Prasad Limbu, Mr. Rubin Gurung, Mitra Gurung, Mr. Karna Bahadur Rana, and Mr. Kiran Gurung (Advisor/Trustee, Colchester Nepalese Society), who worked tirelessly by my side throughout the day.

A special word of appreciation goes to Mr. Mukti Limbu and Mr. Kiran Gurung for ensuring Lower Castle Park was left completely litter-free before closing the gates at 10:00 pm. Thanks also to our volunteers, performers, stallholders, and funfair providers, whose contributions brought life, sound, and color to every corner of the park.

Our security and safety teams also deserve special recognition:

• Gordon Evans and his staff at Zed Security Ltd.
• Essex Police and TMO Highways for coordinating rolling road closures.
• The Rotary Clubs of Colchester (including Colchester Forum and Colchester Camulos), who provided 20 safety stewards alongside other supporting organizations.

Your behind-the-scenes efforts ensured a safe, seamless, and joyous celebration for everyone.

Heartfelt Thanks to Our Sponsors and Supporters
To our sponsors: thank you for believing in this vision. Your financial support enabled us to create a celebration of culture and unity that reached thousands of people. With your continued backing—alongside that of the Mayor, Pam Cox MP, and Colchester City Council—we look forward to building on this legacy year after year.

Community Voices
Feedback from across the community was profoundly moving. Here are just a few highlights from attendees:

• “Thank you, Udai and carnival team, Dynamite School for Dance enjoyed every moment of this year’s Carnival. We look forward to next year’s Carnival.” Sarah Louise Reed
• “Thank you, Udai and team, for an absolutely fantastic carnival parade and festival. What a lovely day filled with amazing people.” Kim Barneston, Kidical Mass, eCargo Bikes and Bikes
• “Thank you, Major Udai, for organising such a great event. I look forward to future events.” Richard Wykes
• “Our team at Planet Katy had a wonderful time again, and we cannot wait for next year’s Carnival. Thank you so much for your hard work, Mr. Udai, carnival team, and everyone involved.” Katy Ermel
• “Thank you, Maj Udai, and all the organisers and people behind the scenes, for a fantastic event today. A big thanks to the gentleman on sound for being so resourceful and patient with us, and to the compères who were so encouraging. It was a fantastic event, to say the least.” Priya
• “Thank you, Udai, for organising such a wonderful carnival. Everything was beautifully arranged, and it was my pleasure being part of the Carnival again this year!” Huma Fida
• “Thanks a lot to you and everyone involved in organising such an amazing event. Absolutely brilliant. I can only imagine the mammoth effort behind this wonderful, well-organised event—hats off to you and the entire team for making it such a massive success. Beyond a lovely event, I’m sure it’s one of the most memorable moments for many of us. You were so humble and approachable, always ready to support. Really appreciate your effort and support.” Shiva Mandir

“Thank you so much for an amazing festival yesterday; I was delighted to be able to make a small contribution. We all had a wonderful time, and the atmosphere was amazing. Long live multicultural events like this. Our diversity is what makes us strong and great!”
Andy, Buddhist Organisation

“A huge thank you to Udai Gurung for all your hard work, dedication, and leadership in making this year’s Colchester City Carnival such a fantastic success. It was a real pleasure for Workwear Works to be part of the event by sponsoring the main stage banner, decorating the stage with balloons, giving away branded balloons to children, and collaborating with R.B. Entertainment Ltd (Rudebone) on the limited-edition embroidered bandanas.” Juliana Chodorovich, Workwear Works

These testimonials capture what the Carnival has come to mean for Colchester: not just a one-day event, but a living celebration of connection and belonging.

Looking Ahead
As we begin preparations for next year’s Carnival on Saturday, 17 July 2027, we carry forward not only the lessons of this year, but the energy, pride, and unity that made it so special.

CDCN remains committed to fostering inclusion, promoting cultural awareness, and building bridges within the community—not just through our Carnival, but throughout the entire year. Whatever your background, whatever community you call home, there is a place for you in what we build together.

About CDCN
The Colchester Diverse Communities Network (CDCN) is a grassroots, community-led initiative dedicated to championing inclusivity, cultural heritage, and civic participation. Through events, outreach, and collaboration with local institutions, CDCN empowers communities to celebrate their differences and work together for a stronger, more cohesive Colchester.

Website: www.cdcn.org.uk
Enquiries & Sponsorship: admin@cdcn.org.uk
Major Udaibahadur Gurung MBE
Director, Colchester City Carnival and Funfair 2026
Chair/Trustee, Colchester Diverse Communities Network (CDCN)