What Is J’ouvert?: Everything You Need To Know for Carnival 2025
If you’re getting ready for Carnival 2025 in the UK, there’s one event you absolutely need to know about and can’t miss – J’ouvert. J’ouvert is all about a sense of community, has deep cultural roots and is full of colourful moments. The start of Carnival celebrations, J’ouvert brings people of all backgrounds together to dance, celebrate freedom and honour tradition in an unforgettable, joyful way.
Whether you’re a seasoned Carnival attendee or this is your first event, understanding the origins and traditions of J’ouvert adds a deeper meaning to the celebration. We’ve put together everything you need to know about J’ouvert, including where to celebrate and top tips for attending events.
What Is J’ouvert?
J’ouvert, derived from the French words “jour ouvert” meaning “daybreak” or “morning”, is a vibrant street celebration that marks the official start of Carnival, a cultural festival held annually in many Caribbean islands and worldwide. J’ouvert is known for its inclusivity and brings together people of all backgrounds to celebrate freedom, unity and the expression of cultural identity.
What Happens During J’ouvert?
Celebrations begin before dawn, usually between 2-4am, and proceed until the sun has risen. J’ouvert has many traditions and sees participants take to the streets covered in paint, oil, mud and colour powder. Music also plays a big part in the celebrations, and streets are often filled with the beats of steelpan drums, calypso and soca music
Unlike the bright, intricate costumes made of beads and feathers that people associate with Carnival, J’ouvert attire is a lot more simple and is often handmade. Many dress in white or old items of clothing they don’t mind getting messy, as they soon become covered in powder, mud and paint. Some revellers masquerade as devils or traditional characters such as the Jab Jab.
The use of paint, mud and colour powder is one of the most iconic and significant aspects of J’ouvert. It symbolises breaking free from societal norms and embracing the liberating, free spirit of the celebration.
What Is The History Behind J’ouvert?
The roots of J’ouvert stem from African traditions brought to the Caribbean by enslaved Africans. During the French colonial period in Trinidad during the 18th century, French colonisers would hold masquerade balls that slaves were banned from attending. Enslaved Africans were said to have hosted their own mini-carnivals using their own folklore and traditions.
Before Emancipation, Canboulay was celebrated by enslaved Africans with singing, dancing, drums and stick fighting. Following the abolition of slavery in 1833, Canboulay developed into a festival for freed slaves, celebrated annually.
In 1881 however, the British colonial government in Trinidad tried to ban Canboulay. This resulted in disturbances known as the Canboulay Riots which have played a key role in shaping J’ouvert traditions. It is said that people smeared oil and paint over themselves to avoid being recognised, which has become an iconic tradition of J’ouvert.
When Is J’ouvert 2025?
J’ouvert is celebrated at different times of the year depending on when each country/city holds their Carnival celebrations. In Trinidad and Tobago for example, Carnival is traditionally held before Lent, with J’ouvert occurring on Monday morning and Carnival celebrations culminating on Ash Wednesday.
In the UK however, Carnival festivals tend to happen during the summer months, typically in August, to take advantage of the warmer weather and holiday season. While the timing may differ, the same vibrant spirit, energy and cultural pride can be found on the UK streets.
Where To Celebrate J’ouvert In The UK In 2025
The largest and most well known Carnival celebration in the UK is Notting Hill Carnival. Held in Ladbroke Grove, London, Notting Hill Carnival has taken place since 1966 and attracts over 2 million attendees. This year, Notting Hill Carnival will take place on August Bank Holiday weekend, with J’ouvert beginning at 6am on Sunday 24th. Don’t miss out on their Dutty Mas parade, where spectators can expect to be splashed with bright colour powders and paints!
The biggest Carnival celebration in the UK outside of London can be found here in Yorkshire at Potternewton Park in Leeds. Leeds West Indian Carnival will be held on Monday 25th August, with J’ouvert celebrations usually starting at 6am on the day of.
This year, we’re proud to be supplying our vibrant coloured powder at Dreamland J’ouvert, taking place at Hertfordshire Showground on Saturday, 23rd August. Expect non-stop celebrations, traditional Soca music and of course, bursts of colour everywhere you turn. You can also experience our colour powder for yourself at the Soca vs Dancehall – Taste of Carnival J’ouvert Fête in Sheffield on Friday 22nd August. Get ready for a night of high energy, lots of colour and endless Carnival music.
Tips For Attending J’ouvert
If you’re attending a J’ouvert event for the first time, here are some of our top tips for making the most of the experience.
- Wear Old Clothing – Expect to get messy! With paint, powder and mud everywhere, it’s best to wear old clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty and stained.
- Bring Sunglasses – Keep your eyes protected from all of the paint and throwing powder with a pair of sunglasses that you don’t mind getting messy.
- Wear Comfortable Shoes – J’ouvert events usually last for a few hours in which you’ll constantly be on your feet, walking and dancing with the crowds. Make sure to wear a comfortable pair of shoes that you don’t mind getting a little paint or mud on or a pair that can be easily cleaned.
- Protect Your Phone – With lots of paint, powder and sometimes water flying around, you’ll want to keep your phone protected in a waterproof pouch or ziplock bag.
- Keep Hydrated – J’ouvert is a high-energy event and often takes place in hot temperatures, so staying hydrated is key. Bring water in a covered bottle or cup to keep it clean and free from colour powder.
- Bring A Towel or Spare Change of Clothes – Once the event is over, expect to be covered head to toe in paint and colour powder. Before getting in your car or on public transport, change into a spare change of clean clothes or pop a towel down on any seats to avoid spreading the mess.
- Have Fun – The most important thing is to of course have fun! J’ouvert was created to welcome everyone, no matter their background. Enjoy the music, embrace the culture and get ready to be showered in clouds of different colours!
As you prepare for Carnival 2025, make sure you’re ready to enjoy the full J’ouvert experience, from the community spirit to the bursts of colour and the culture that makes it so unforgettable. Whether you’re heading to a local celebration or planning a full Carnival weekend away, embracing the tradition and vibrancy of J’ouvert is the perfect way to kick things off.
At Ministry of Colours, we’ve got all of the accessories you need to get J’ouvert ready, including plain white t-shirts perfect for getting messy and colourful sunglasses made to protect your eyes. And, if you're hosting a J’ouvert event and are in need of stocking up on some safe, vibrant colour powders, we’ve got you covered with bulk options available in a variety of colours, perfect for parties, parades and festivals. To discuss your event requirements, don’t hesitate to get in touch and let us help you make your J’ouvert event a success.
5 Fundraising Ideas Sports Clubs Should Try In 2025
Running a sports club is more than just training sessions, competitions and team spirit, it’s also about ensuring that there’s enough funding to keep the club going. From purchasing new equipment and uniforms to travel expenses to upgrading training facilities, the costs of keeping a club running smoothly can quickly add up. That’s why fundraising is essential for any sports club looking to succeed.
As summer rolls around, it’s the perfect time for sports clubs to make the most of outdoor spaces and organise a fundraising event. In 2025 however, we’re looking to move past the traditional fundraisers like bake sales, raffles and quizzes and explore some fun, fresh ideas that will get everyone involved. So if your sports club is in need of some new equipment or has a competition coming up, here are 5 fundraising ideas that are guaranteed to boost funds and get the community involved.
1. A Colour Fun Run
Colour runs are exploding in popularity right now and it’s no surprise why. Fun runs encourage a bit of sporty fun while also being accessible for all ages and fitness levels, and when combined with colour powder, they turn into a vibrant event that gets everyone excited. Invite members of the sports clubs, their friends, families and the wider community to get involved in this feel-good event. It doesn’t matter if they walk, jog or run the course, the whole point is to have fun, get covered in colour and raise money for a good cause along the way!
To raise funds, consider charging each participant a small sign-up fee and encourage them to gather sponsorships leading up to the event. On the day, set up stalls selling colour powder packets, colour accessories and food and drink to boost your fundraising total.
If you don’t know where to get started with organising a colour run, check out our fundraising zone where you’ll find plenty of helpful resources and planning guides to make your event a success.
2. Sponsored Challenge
A sponsored challenge is a great way to get members active while also raising money for the club. You could organise a one-off event, such as a sponsored hike or run, or set a target over the course of a month, like running, cycling or walking a certain distance. Supply members of your club with sponsorship forms or access to an online donation page.
If you’re looking to collect donations online for your sponsored challenge (or any fundraising event for that matter!), we recommend using PitchIn Platform – a fundraising platform designed specifically for sports clubs. PitchIn Platform is a simple and effective way to collect donations, working in the same way as other popular fundraising platforms, but with additional reporting, integrations and customisation features.
To keep things fun and add a creative twist to your fundraiser, set various challenges or themed days throughout the event. For example, pick a day where everyone must do their challenge in fancy dress, or another where they need to complete their distance while dribbling a football. Set up an internal social media page or forum where everyone can share videos and updates of their challenges to cheer each other on. This will help keep participants motivated and connected throughout the fundraiser while keeping the energy high as they complete the challenge.
3. Charity Matches
This next idea is one for the parents. Let them swap the sidelines for a chance to be in the spotlight and take part in a charity match of their own! Whether it’s a game of football, rugby, rounders or cricket, this idea is a fun and lighthearted way to get families involved in their child’s favourite sport while raising funds for the club.
Charge each parent taking part an entry fee and encourage them to get sponsors leading up to the event. To raise even more funds, consider making the event ticketed and charge spectators a fee to come along and enjoy the action. You could also host a raffle at half-time or a game such as a penalty shoot out, giving spectators the chance to test their skills for a small donation. To round off the event and keep the atmosphere lively, offer lighthearted prizes like ‘Man of The Match’, ‘Best Goal’ or ‘Top Scorer’.
4. Sports Day
Everybody loved the fun of sports day back in school, so why not bring back the nostalgia by hosting an old-school sports day event for participants of all ages? Adults will be sure to love this idea, getting the chance to take part in sack races, three-legged races, tug of wars and the classic egg and spoon race once more. To turn this event into a fundraiser, charge each participant a sign up fee and offer them the option to gather additional sponsorships for taking part. You could even reach out to local businesses and ask them to sponsor individual races and activities.
You can split people into teams, encouraging them to co-ordinate their outfits with matching colours or themed accessories to add an extra element of creativity to the day. This will also add a competitive, yet lighthearted atmosphere as teams compete against each other to be the overall winner. Hand out medals to race winners after events, saving bigger trophies and prizes until the end of the day when the winning team is announced. This is guaranteed to boost engagement and energy as everyone comes together to cheer on their team mates and do the best they can to be crowned the champions.
If you want to add a creative twist to the day, incorporate colour powder into some of the challenges to brighten up the fun. During a tug of war, both teams could be showered in vibrant colours or as participants race with their egg and spoons, they have to dash through clouds of colour powder. It’s an easy way to make your event more memorable and add an extra element of energy.
5. Colour Fun Day
Why not combine multiple ideas into one and host an unforgettable colour fun day? This vibrant event could kick off with a smaller-scale colour run, setting the tone for a day packed with colourful sports activities and mini games, all wrapped into one action-packed fundraiser.
Offer participants the choice between paying an entry fee per activity or purchasing a full-day pass that grants access to every colourful activity. Boost fundraising by setting up stalls selling bags of colour powder and fun accessories, like sunglasses, visors and whistles. Encourage parents to contribute to the event by baking or cooking and feature plenty of food and drink stalls, with all proceeds going towards the club. To keep the energy high throughout the day, play non-stop, upbeat music that’s sure to keep everyone motivated.
To finish off the festivities, host an epic colour war. Make sure everyone is armed with packets of colour powder, then kick off the battle with a countdown. On one, have everyone throw their powder in the air to create a colour cloud, providing a great photo opportunity! Take things one step further by using a colour fountain to completely spray everyone in rainbow hues of colour. This all-in-one event combines fun and fitness to create unforgettable memories for everyone involved while supporting an important cause.
Here at Ministry of Colours, we’re your one-stop partner for all of your colour powder and fundraising needs. We offer high-quality, authentic colour powder that brings vibrancy and excitement to every event, along with a variety of fun and practical accessories. Beyond products, we also offer a host of fundraising resources and planning guides to help you organise a successful fundraiser with ease.
Whether you’re planning a colour run, sports day or fun day, we’re here to get your event up and running in the most colourful way possible. And remember, if you need an easy and effective way to collect donations for your event, Pitchin Platform is available to assist with their intuitive fundraising tool, designed to make the process straightforward and seamless. If you have any questions about our products or require support getting started with your event, please get in touch with a member of our team.