Flags were waving and whistles blowing when Preston Caribbean Carnival welcomed a new resident to the Lancashire town on 24 March 2026. Lumo is a low-cost train operator, known for its sleek trains finished in a distinctive mid-blue. It celebrated the opening of its new HQ in Preston with a lively procession through the streets from the station to Fox Street, where Preston MP Sir Mark Hendrick officially opened the facility.
Tracey Harris from Preston Carnival told Soca News: “Lumo’s marketing team got in touch with us last month and asked if we would be interested in being part of the opening of Lumo trains’ head office in Preston. They wanted pieces [that were] colourful and bright. Carnival is all those things, so that was easy for us to do!”
In a statement, Stuart Jones, managing director of First Rail Open Access, said: “We’re looking forward to becoming a part of the community here, already forging some brilliant partnerships, with the Preston Caribbean Carnival team helping us to open our HQ here in real style.”
Twenty masqueraders took part in the event, which gave the town a preview of what they can expect on Sunday 24 May when Preston Caribbean Carnival will fill the streets.
Before that, there’s plenty to look forward to, starting with Easter Jammin Carnival Style on Saturday 4 April at Chews Yard, 111 Market Street West PR1 2HB. It’s free, and runs from 1pm to 6pm. Hang around for a couple of hours and you’ll be in the right place for Soca & Soul Fete with DJ Toro, ‘D mad bull of soca’ (8pm-1am, £5). Happily, Preston has kept alive the tradition of a King and Queen Show, which begins at 2pm in Flag Market on Saturday 16 May.
Carnival weekend begins with One Park Ska & Reggae Festival on Saturday 23 May at Moor Park, Preston PR1 6AS. There’ll be four live bands, sound systems and food and drink. It’s followed by an afterparty at Chews Yard from 9pm.
Preston Caribbean Carnival itself leaves Moor Park at 1pm and then makes a circuit via Deepdale Rd, Meadow St, St Paul’s Rd, Sedwick St, North Rd and Garstang Rd then back to the park. There’s a modest charge for entry to the park, with masqueraders and live acts on stage, food and drink from 1.15 to 7.30pm. To round it all off, there’s an afterparty (they like their afterparties in Preston!), from 9pm to 1am in Chews Yard. A £20 weekend pass will give you entry to all four events on the 24th and 25th. More details: prestoncarnival.co.uk Lumo will be running five trains a day from London Euston to Preston, four of which will continue to Stirling in Scotland. Tickets for travel from 10 July until the end of summer are on sale now; a London-Preston trip starts from £23.90. More details: lumo.co.uk.
