Please note that this event has already occured.
Key information
Start date: Saturday 26 August 2017
End date: Monday 28 August 2017
Cost: No tickets required
The Notting Hill Carnival, Europe’s biggest street festival is organised by London Notting Hill Carnival Enterprises Trust.
Typically the festival kicks off on the Saturday evening with Panorama – a free open air evening of competitive performance by national steel bands.
Sunday morning opens with J’ouvert – ( “opening of the day” from the French Jour ouvert) - a traditional procession before sunrise, where participants cover their body in mud to celebrate the start of carnival.
At the Sunday Parade (Family Day) that follows, children showcase their flamboyant costumes and dance along the carnival route to the rhythms provided by mobile sound systems or steel bands.
There’s also a "World Music Stage" featuring calypso and soca performances by the Association of British Calypsonians and other visiting and emerging artists, plus static sound systems around the site.
The Monday Parade is the Grand Finale:
- more steel bands
- mobile sound systems
- dancers and performers
- live and recorded music
Find out more about the Carnival
See the official guide to Notting Hill Carnival
Remember – go prepared!
This event is extremely popular, with large crowds, road closures and changes to everyday transport operations. Check before you travel.