Hackney Carnival Awards 2024

Each year, Hackney Carnival honours legacy groups for their outstanding contributions.

Take a look at the gallery showcasing the winners of the Hackney Carnival Awards.

See gallery

Congratulations to all the winners and runners-up!

  • A group of men and women gathered smiling at the camera, one man holds a circular glass award - one man slightly out of shot holds a tiny umbrella up

    Best Theme Interpretation

    Winner: PARACARNIVAL
    Runner-up: Jun Mo Generations

  • A group of men and women smile at the camera while one holds a circular glass award

    Soca Massive

    Winner: SOCA MASSIVE
    Runner-up: Tropical Isles

  • Two women pose with a glass award

    Best Carnival Music: Acoustic

    Winner: PANTONIC STEEL BAND
    Runner-up: Yaram Arts

  • Three women dressed in colourful clothes smile at the camera, one of the holds a round glass carnival award

    Best Carnival Music: Amplified

    Winner: SOCA SAGA BOYS

  • Three people, including a young girl, teenage boy and older woman hold a glass carnival award

    Best Movement (Choreography/Dance)

    Winner: GAHU DRAMATIC ARTS
    Runner-up: Mi Viejo San Simon

  • A man with a beard and checked blue t shirt holds two glass carnival awards

    Best Band On De Road

    Winner: SOCA MASSIVE
    Runner-up: Jamboulay Mas Band

  • Three people stand together smiling at the camera, one of them holds a glass carnival award

    Judges’ Choice

    Winner: BLEMA
    Runner-up: Dimensions

  • Two children smile and hold round glass carnival awards

    Band of the Year

    Winner: TROPICAL ISLES
    Runner-up: Yaram Arts

Judging criteria

  • Theme Interpretation

    Each group has selected their own theme to bring to the parade. You can see what each group’s theme is on the Carnival Groups page. Judges will assess how well the groups have interpreted their theme and consider how it is reflected in their costumes, movement, and music.

  • Design/Visual Impact

    Here, the creativity, originality, and quality of the groups’ costumes and masquerade pieces will be scored. Which band will have the most visual impact? It’s all to play for.

  • Music Presentation

    Music is at the heart of carnival and points will be scored for the quality, innovation and how well suited the music is to the processional environment. Separate awards will be given out for acoustic and amplified music styles. 

  • Movement and Mas Participation

    There’s no "I" in "parade"! This means that groups need to work together effectively as a team! Judges evaluate each group’s movements and the presentation of their costumes as part of the performance. Extra points for how well they represent the essence of the carnival and how they contribute to the jubilant atmosphere.

Award categories

  • Best Band On De Road

    WINNER: Awarded to the group with the best overall design and presentation.
    Runner-up: Awarded to the second-best group based on overall design and presentation.

  • Best Movement (Choreography/Dance)

    WINNER: Awarded to the group with the best choreography and dance.
    Runner-up: Awarded to the second-best group in choreography and dance.

  • Best Theme Interpretation

    WINNER: Awarded to the group with the best interpretation of their theme. 
    Runner-up: Awarded to the second-best group in theme interpretation.

  • Best Carnival Music

    WINNER - Best Carnival Music: Acoustic:
    Awarded to the group with the best acoustic music presentation and interaction with the participating group.

    WINNER - Best Carnival Music: Amplified:
    Awarded to the group with the best amplified music presentation and interaction with the participating group.

  • Judges' Choice

    Highly Commended Hackney Carnival Group: Special recognition for outstanding groups incorporating combined elements, from culture to participation, etc.

    Highly Commended Newcomers: Special recognition for outstanding new participants.

  • Carnival Band of the Year

    Carnival Band of the Year 1st Prize: Awarded to the best overall group of the year.

    Carnival Band of the Year 2nd Prize: Awarded to the second-best overall group of the year.

Meet the Judges

  • Mary Genis

    Trinidad-born steel pan player and founder of Reading-based CultureMix and the award-winning Reading All Steel Pan Orchestra (RASPO).

  • Jeannette De Couteau

    Esteemed judge for Caribbean and Trinidad-style carnivals, with extensive experience judging at Notting Hill Carnival and Trinidad and Tobago Carnival, where she was based until 2018.

  • Morcea Walker

    Founder and Chairperson of Northampton Carnival Arts Consortium and Director of EMCCAN (East Midlands Caribbean Carnival Arts Network), a recognised Arts Council NPO.

  • Angela Chappel

    Arts Council Relationship Manager with national responsibilities for carnivals, bringing a wealth of experience in arts management and in the carnival sector.

  • James Thomas

    Versatile musician and Director of Hackney Music Services, contributing his extensive expertise in music and education to the judging panel.

  • Fransisco Cerasco

    Expert in Latin American carnival traditions, musician, Lecturer at Liverpool University, and Director of Luma Creations and All Things Latin.

  • Ngoma Bishop

    Community leader and cultural expert, specialising in Caribbean and African traditions, and Director of BEMA Arts.

  • Pax Nindi

    Judges Adjudicator with extensive experience in judging carnivals globally, including in Brazil, Africa, the Caribbean, and across the UK. Author of the Arts Council National Carnival Arts Strategy and Hackney Carnival’s Artistic Director!

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