Boishakhi Mela Sunday carnival returning to Brick Lane heading to Weavers Fields live show

The annual Boishakhi Mela returns to east London on Sunday with a carnival parade along Brick Lane and 40,000 spectators expected for the live stage show at Bethnal Green’s Weavers Fields.

Spectators packed Baishakhi Mela carnival back in 2011. Picture: Rehan Jamil - Credit: Rehan Jamil

The parade starts 10.30am from Allen Gardens in Buxton Street with music and floats led by striking peacock plumage in pride of place at the front.

It turns into Brick Lane, heads south to Old Montague Street and back along Vallance Road to reach Weavers Fields at 12 noon.

Live entertainment is headlined by internationally-renowned fusion band Chirkutt, with folk singer Ashik who arrives from Bangladesh to join the line up which also includes local artists and performers, children, young people and cultural groups.

An arts zone has free creative activities such as visual arts and crafts workshops, dance, music and storytelling performances. A marketplace is laid on for foods, crafts and goods.

The Mela traditionally attracts 40,000 spectators from all over the country and is the biggest outside Bangladesh.