At the end of August, around one million people will flood west London for the Notting Hill Carnival, Europe’s biggest street party. It’s an explosion of sound and colour, celebrating cultural diversity and all of its wonderful by-products.
The weekend (Aug 29-31)
Though things officially kick off on the Sunday (August 30), there are still events planned for the Saturday (August 29) to get you into the carnival spirit. A free open air event, Panaroma, will host competitive performances by steel bands from across the country while the Association of British Calypsonians is putting on its London Calypso Tent, bringing together storytelling, poetry, political commentary and more. The Sunday Parade is usually the quieter of the two, and doubles up as Family Day. The Children’s Parade is always a colourful affair, with costume prizes and family events also set to take place. The World Music Stage in Powis Square will deliver a vibrant collection of Caribbean music. On Monday (August 31), it’s the big one: The Grand Finale. Around 60 bands and sounds systems will provide the rhythms as the brightly-dressed carnival-goers parade around the area. The parades begin at about 10am and start to wind down at around 6.30pm – there is a noise curfew that comes into effect from 7pm. The procession will start on Great Western Road in the east, before moving south onto Chepstow Road, across on Westbourne Grove and up to Ladbroke Grove. Get more information HERE