London, England, United Kingdom
Notting Hill Carnival
Often called Europe's biggest street festival: Caribbean costume bands, steel pan, sound systems, and jerk chicken across West London.
The straight answer
Notting Hill Carnival takes place over the Sunday and Monday of the August bank holiday weekend, which ends on the last Monday of August every year.
Notting Hill Carnival is often called Europe's biggest street festival, a two-day celebration of Caribbean culture that draws crowds commonly estimated at around a million people to the streets of West London. It happens on the Sunday and Monday of the late August bank holiday weekend, which always ends on the last Monday of August.
Its roots are in the Caribbean communities who settled in West London after the Second World War, and in the indoor carnival events of the late 1950s organized in response to racial violence in the area. The first street carnival in Notting Hill was held in the mid 1960s, and it has grown every decade since.
Carnival is loud, joyful, crowded, and completely free. It is also a real crowd-management operation with road closures, station closures, and a heavy police presence. Plan your route in and out, and you will get the best of it.
The event, explained
Sunday is traditionally the family day, with the children's parade and a slightly calmer atmosphere. Monday is the main adult parade and the biggest crowds.
The mas bands are the heart of the parade: costumed troupes in feathers, sequins, and wings dancing along the route to soca from their music trucks. Steel pan bands and calypso add to the soundtrack, and the Panorama steel band competition is held on the Saturday of carnival weekend.
Static sound systems line the streets playing reggae, dancehall, soca, and more, each drawing its own crowd. Food stalls selling jerk chicken, curry goat, rice and peas, and rum punch fill every side street.
Many revelers start early on Sunday with J'ouvert, the early morning celebration of paint, powder, and mud that opens carnival in Caribbean tradition.
How to play it right
- 01Book lodging a few months ahead, especially in West London. August is already peak season in London, and the bank holiday adds pressure.
- 02Check transport before you go. Several nearby Tube stations close or run exit-only during carnival. Getting off one or two stops away, around Paddington or Shepherd's Bush, and walking in is often faster.
- 03Arrive early and leave before dark. The parade and sound systems run from late morning until early evening; the crowds are densest in the afternoon and around the main junctions.
- 04Carry little: cash in small amounts, a phone in a front pocket, and nothing you cannot afford to lose. Pickpockets work the crowds.
- 05Know where the toilets are. Public toilets are provided but with long lines; plan breaks at quieter moments.
- 06Weather is usually warm, with highs near 70F (21C) and occasional showers. Bring a light rain layer and sunscreen.
With kids in tow
- Sunday is designed as family day, with the children's parade. Go in the late morning, stay near the edges of the route, and leave by mid afternoon.
- Monday is much busier and less suited to young children. Crowds can be dense and hard to leave in a hurry.
- Agree a meeting point in case anyone gets separated, and write a phone number on young children's arms.
Book your stay for Notting Hill Carnival.
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- Hotels for August
Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Notting Hill CarnivalOpens a hotel search for Notting Hill Carnival in August, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
- Rentals on Vrbo
Vacation rentals. Vrbo
Vacation rentals in Notting Hill CarnivalWhole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
- Tours and tickets
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in Notting Hill CarnivalTimed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Notting Hill Carnival for August. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Notting Hill Carnival, quick answers
When is Notting Hill Carnival?
The Sunday and Monday of the August bank holiday weekend, which ends on the last Monday of August every year. Sunday is family day and Monday is the main parade.
Is Notting Hill Carnival free?
Yes. The parade, sound systems, and street atmosphere are free. You only pay for food and drinks.
Which Tube stations are closed during Notting Hill Carnival?
Several stations near the route close or run exit-only during the event. Check the transport authority's carnival advice before you travel and plan to walk in from a station further out.
Is Notting Hill Carnival safe?
It is a very large, mostly good-natured event with a heavy police presence. Pickpocketing is the most common problem. Stay aware, keep valuables secure, and leave before dark.
What is the best day to go to Notting Hill Carnival?
Sunday for families and a gentler introduction; Monday for the full adult parade and the biggest atmosphere.
Make a trip of it: London
The best time to visit London
Best: May to Jun and Sep
The best time to visit London is May through June or September, when the parks are at their best and daylight runs long, while July and August bring peak crowds and peak airfare without better weather.
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