Music, masks and mojo – everything you need to know about the iconic event.
Notting Hill Carnival is one of London’s biggest celebrations. Every August Bank Holiday weekend, the city plays host to one of the most culturally significant events in the UK, bursting with home-cooked food, vibrant costumes, booming bass lines, steel-pan tunes, and good vibes all round. In 2024, more than two million people attended to get down and boogie – and this year promises to be even bigger and better.
This year, the event takes place on Sunday 24 August and Monday 25 August. The carnival is free to attend, and the only ticketed event is the Panorama Steel Band Competition on Saturday 23 August. Come rain or shine – the party still goes on.
The origin story
Dating back to 1959, Notting Hill Carnival began as an indoor event organised by Claudia Jones to bring the community together after the Notting Hill race riots. In 1966, Rhaune Laslett, a local social worker, transformed it into a street festival, calling it the Notting Hill Fayre – laying the foundation for what we know today.
Dates and times
Notting Hill Carnival is now one of the longest-running street festivals in the world. Set in West London, the area undergoes a full transformation with extravagant floats, performers in sequinned, colourful costumes, huge sound systems, and outstanding street food.
While the official route is yet to be confirmed, it typically begins near Westbourne Park tube station, continues along Great Western Road and Chepstow Road, turns onto Westbourne Grove, heads up Ladbroke Grove, and finishes on Kensal Road.
The main festivities begin around 10am on 24 August and 25 August. On 23 August, the Panorama Steel Band Competition kicks off the weekend from 4pm to 11pm at Emslie Horniman’s Pleasance Park.
On 24 August, J’Ouvert begins bright and early from 6am to 9am with a traditional Caribbean opening featuring mas bands, paint, and powder. The official opening ceremony starts at 10am, followed by the Children’s Parade from 10.30am to 5pm. Sound systems run from 12pm to 7pm, operating alongside the children’s parade.
On 25 August, the Adults’ Parade runs from 10am to 8.30pm. Sound systems will operate from 12pm to 7pm, in tandem with the parade.
At 3pm on both Sunday and Monday, there will be a Moment of Reflection to honour the lives lost in the Grenfell Tower fire.
Food and drink
This year, over 300 food stalls will serve up a mouthwatering array of options. Choose from Jamaican jerk chicken to Trinidadian roti and Guyanese pepperpot. There’s truly something for everyone.
While a wide variety of international cuisine will be on offer, the focus is traditionally on Caribbean food. Vegetarians and vegans are also well catered for, with many stalls offering plant-based options and a growing number of dedicated vegan traders.
To drink? Expect plenty of rum and Red Stripe, though coconut water is the non-alcoholic favourite.
Music and sound systems
Expect over 30 sound systems scattered throughout the carnival, playing everything from dub and jungle to samba and hip-hop.
Two live stages will also be hosted at Emslie Horniman’s Pleasance Park and Powis Square. Line-ups will be announced closer to the date – often with surprise guests and artists. There is a strict sound curfew on both days: all systems must stop by 7pm. At that point, most attendees head off to afterparties across the city.
How to get to there
Roads will be closed throughout the Bank Holiday weekend. Buses and taxis will not be able to access the carnival area directly. However, there are several tube stations nearby.
Notting Hill Gate will be exit only from 11am to 7pm on both days. District and Circle line trains will not stop at this station during these hours.
Royal Oak and Westbourne Park will be exit only from 11am to 6pm. Royal Oak will close after 6pm; Westbourne Park after 11.30pm.
Latimer Road will close at 11.30pm on both days. Ladbroke Grove and Holland Park stations will be closed on Sunday and Monday.
For less disrupted access, use Bayswater, Paddington, Shepherd’s Bush, White City, or Wood Lane.
GO: Visit https://nhcarnival.org/ for more information.