Yam Carnival

11:30 am - 10:00 pm
Saturday, August 28, 2021

Clapham Common

A celebration of Black music, food and culture YAM Carnival is a brand new Afrobeat music festival coming to London this summer.

From the creators of Afro Nation, it was originally planned to launch in 2020 as a weekend celebration of the African diaspora, including Caribbean and Latin American culture, with music and food from across the world. Due to the coronavirus outbreak, the festival had to be cancelled. In March 2021, organisers confirmed YAM Carnival would kick off in the capital as a one-day event on 28 August 2021.

Set to be an exciting addition to London’s festival circuit, there will be live music from the Afrobeat, reggaeton, R&B, hip hop, Afro-swing and dancehall music genres across three stages. The 2021 line-up is led by Afrobeats pioneer Davido alongside artists like Kehlani, NSG, Koffee, Ari Lennox, Yemi Alade, Pa Salieu, Darkoo, Nao, Princess Nokia, Ms Banks, IAMDDB, Midas The Jagaban, Femi Kuti, Honey Dijon and many more.

In addition, expect Clapham Common to be transformed into a food lover’s paradise with African-influenced food trucks as well as Caribbean cuisine, Latin American staples and delicious American-inspired options from New Orleans Creole and Cajun cooking to Southern soul food. Chefs from around London will be preparing all these international delicacies to devour.

YAM Carnival attendees can also experience the unique masquerade culture including the traditional homage to ancestral spirits, featuring rich costumes, structures, masks and complex dance rituals from regions around the globe.