Secure funding for Notting Hill Carnival required

2026 marked the 60th anniversary of the Notting Hill Carnival, one of the world's largest street festivals and one of London's most significant cultural events.

The London Assembly has today agreed a motion that Notting Hill Carnival should remain in the community where it was founded and has grown over six decades and should not be relocated to a central London venue.  It believes proposals to provide sustainable, multi-year funding for the Carnival, should be brought forward.

Hina Bokhari OBE AM, who proposed the motion, said:

"Notting Hill Carnival belongs in Notting Hill.

“It's time we stopped treating it as an annual problem to be managed and started treating it as the treasured national institution it is, with the long-term funding and certainty it needs to keep Londoners dancing through these streets for the next 60 years."

James Small-Edwards AM, who seconded the motion, said:

“For 60 years, Notting Hill Carnival has been a defining part of London’s cultural life and a source of pride for the communities that created it. It belongs in Notting Hill, and we should be giving organisers the certainty they need to plan for its future there.

“An up-to-date assessment of the Carnival’s economic, cultural and social value, alongside sustainable multi-year funding, would help allow organisers plan properly for the years ahead.”

The full text of the motion is:

“The Assembly notes that:

2026 marks the 60th anniversary of the Notting Hill Carnival, one of the world's largest street festivals and one of London's most significant cultural events.

The Carnival was founded by London's Caribbean community in Notting Hill and has become an internationally recognised celebration of Caribbean culture, creativity and London's diversity.

The Carnival contributes significantly to London's cultural identity, tourism offer and night-time economy, but there has not been a comprehensive, up-to-date assessment of its economic value for many years.

Each year, uncertainty over funding creates unnecessary challenges for organisers, making long-term planning and investment more difficult.

The Assembly believes that:

The Notting Hill Carnival should remain in the community where it was founded and has grown over six decades and should not be relocated to a central London venue.

The Mayor should recognise the Carnival not only as a cultural celebration but as a major economic asset for London that deserves long-term support and certainty.

Long-term funding would allow organisers to invest earlier in stewarding, infrastructure, crowd management and participant welfare. It would also give the Metropolitan Police far greater certainty to plan policing operations over the longer term, rather than working against the backdrop of annual funding negotiations.

The Assembly calls on the Mayor to:

Work with Carnival organisers, local authorities, residents and community groups to ensure the long-term future of the Notting Hill Carnival in Notting Hill.

Commission an updated independent assessment of the Carnival's economic, cultural and social contribution to London.

Bring forward proposals to provide sustainable, multi-year funding for the Carnival, including exploring whether a proportion of any future overnight visitor levy could be dedicated to supporting the event and ending the annual cycle of funding uncertainty.”

The meeting can be viewed via webcast or YouTube.

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