Events

This year's Notting Hill Carnival will take place on August 25th and 26th. For the first whole day, carnival goers will enjoy a Panorama as well as a steel band music competition complete with street food and dancing.

Sunday, August 25th will start early, at 6:00 am, with a traditional carnival opening performed in the Caribbean Islands called J'Ouvert. This event’s main attraction is a parade comprised of revelers donned with mug and brightly colored paints. A Children's Parade will stroll through the streets during the day and at night as children dance and perform in ornate costumes, swirling the brilliant-colored clothing. Sunday is the best day for families with young children with smaller crowds of people and plenty of kid-inspired floats in the parade.

All day and into the night Sunday you can catch live music on stages in Emslie Horniman’s Pleasance Park and Powis Square and sample incredible foods from vendors while listening to all kinds of Caribbean inspired music from 38 static sound systems.

As always, the Grand Finale will be on Monday, August 26th with a culmination of dancing, street performances, steel drum music groups, and the Notting Hill Grand Finale Parade. All along the route you’ll find scrumptious treats, foods, drinks, and plenty of entertainment.

To enjoy this carnival, plan on wearing comfortable shoes as you will do a lot of walking through the festive streets. Closed flat shoes are the best. By the end of each day, the streets will be strewn with party affects and empty containers. Attendees are encouraged to wear accessories to show their support and love for the Notting Hill Carnival like whistles, crazy styled hats, large jewelry, and whatever suits your fancy.

Pack a few items in your bag or backpack for the day; tissues, hand sanitizer, wet-wipes, bottles of water, sun screen, sun glasses, and a carnival map so you can make your way around without running into barricaded roads. And if you aren’t exhausted by Monday night and your feet aren’t throbbing, there will be many after-parties in Kensington and Chelsea and other areas in London.

Notting Hill Carnival is free! You don’t have to buy tickets or pay to get in. Enjoy all this world- renowned and famous street carnival has to offer!