If you travel to London for the August bank holiday weekend, you can’t miss the fantastic Notting Hill Carnival – Europe’s biggest street festival. The celebrations have just gotten bigger and wilder since 1966. Best of all, the carnival is free to attend! Expect reggae, dub, dancehall, soca, calypso, soul, afro beat, funk, and more.
It takes place on the streets of Notting Hill in West London, with an average of two million or so visitors. The vibrant event is meant to show off London’s multicultural past and present, with colourful floats and costumed performers in the parade, energetic calypso music, and food stalls which offer cuisines that are unique to each Caribbean community. The dates of the Notting Hill Carnival are from Saturday, August 26 to Monday, August 28.

Day One – Panorama

The festival starts off on Saturday evening with a steel band music competition and Caribbean-themed outdoor entertainment for everyone to enjoy during Panorama. The entry is free, and the event takes place between 6pm and 10pm at Emslie Horniman’s Pleasance Park.

The evening consists of a competitive performance by national steel bands and other entertainment. Notting Hill Carnival is perfect for any music lover.

Notting Hill Carnival

Photo via British Tourist Authority

Day Two – Jouvert and Family Day

Starting in the early morning, locals and travel lovers are free to join the parade or watch on as people march through the streets between 6am and 9am. Watch or join as they are encouraged to dance along to the rhythms of steel bands, riddim bands and African drummers.

Family Day (Sunday Parade) takes over during the day and evening. Young performers showcase their flamboyant costumes in the in the Children Parade as they dance along the carnival route to the rhythms provided by the mobile sound systems or steel bands.

There is also the World Music Stage at Powis Square. It features calypso and soca performances by the Association of British Calypsonians, as well as international and emerging artists of other genre followed by various other performances. It is a haven for a range of music styles and astounding stage performances exhibited by the static sound systems.

There are Family workshops at Emslie Horniman’s Pleasance as well, with a variety of delicious Caribbean foods, drinks, and other amenities to enjoy.

Notting Hill Carnival

Photo via British Tourist Authority

Day Three – Grand Finale

With a showcasing of a sea of vibrant colours, 60 bands in magnificent costumes dancing to the music of the mobile sound systems and steel bands, The Grand finale is true to its name as it gives a memorable closing to the festival. The main parade starts on Great Western Road, snakes along Chepstow Road, then Westbourne Grove, and finally down Ladbroke Grove.

There is a chance to enjoy the magnificent continuation of performances on the World Music Stage at Powis Square. There are over 38 static sound systems you can visit as they entertain with diverse genres of music and stage performances, a wonderful contribution to the Carnival’s vibrant atmosphere! Plus, you can tuck into the delicious food and drinks from the many food stalls in the area for the final day, with an abundance of powerful flavours and spices all can enjoy.

Notting Hill Carnival

Photo: S Pakhrin via Flickr

You can also join in the after-parties to continue the celebrations. It is advisable to book these tickets in advance.

The summer is coming to an end, the autumn breeze making its way through. The carnival will give you the most you can get of the summer left and celebrate it! London travel at its most fun.

Good to know: 

The nearest tube stations are Notting Hill Gate, Holland Park and Ladbroke Grove. Be prepared for massive crowds.

What to wear to the Notting Hill Carnival? Splash out on colours! Wear comfy shoes – it can get very exhausting. And finally, London skies may decide to open up any time, so something waterproof may prove to be handy.

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