The August Bank Holiday weekend can really only mean one thing in London – the Notting Hill Carnival. The largest free street festival in Europe runs from the Saturday to Monday of the long weekend. Is Notting Hill Carnival Cancelled? There were concerns the carnival would be cancelled but last-minute funding has meant the Notting Hill Carnival 2025 will go ahead. Fears had been raised by Notting Hill Carnival police that the mass crowds could lead to deaths by crushing, often several incidents at the 2024 Notting Hill Carnival Almost £1m was raised to provide additional security so the event could go ahead but the future of the carnival is very much in doubt. Notting Hill Carnival Deaths Is Notting Hill Carnival safe? Unfortunately there has also been a history of violence at Notting Hill carnival. If you attend this year’s event take great care. Two murders took place at last year’s carnival. Highlights The highlight of the main London carnival is the main parade which brings festivities to a conclusion on the Bank Holiday Monday. Sunday is traditionally the Notting Hill Carnival family day. The Notting Hill carnival starts at 6am at Sainsbury’s. Further details of Sunday’s family events can be found here . The main highlight of London’s summer festival season, this is a unmissable event for Londoners and visitors to London alike. If you live in London and are looking for carnivals near me, this is the one for you. The London carnival is much more than an explosion of music and colour – although there is plenty of that with steel and samba bands, and plenty of live stages. It is also a celebration of the Caribbean culture in the UK capital, particularly the Windrush generation. This is a great example of the multiculturalism of London. It presents a chance for the community to get together and party, and enjoy great live music and street food. With some t wo million people descending upon the streets of west London, expected crowds – only the Rio Carnival draws more. Also, make sure you take necessary safety precautions as you would for any major event, especially from pickpockets. Carnival Live Stages Traditionally there are three stages to the London Carnival: Horniman’s Stage, Powis Square Stage, and Meanwhile Gardens. Notting Hill Carnival History The Notting Hill Carnival is the main carnival in London and is rooted in the capital’s Caribbean community – the Windrush Generation. Initially the carnival was held in response to the death of Kelso Cochrane in a racial attack in 1959. Over a thousand people attended the funeral of the 32-year-old from Antigua. A Caribbean carnival was held in St Pancras Town Hall. The outdoor carnival was started by Rhaune Leslett in 1966. Around 60 people attended this. Now the Notting Hill London Carnival is tone of the biggest carnivals in the world, and the largest street party in Europe.. Not in London, here is a round-up of some of the best carnivals around the world . Notting Hill Carnival is a vibrant, colourful celebration. It is a chance for the community to come together, celebrate, and strengthen connections and friendships with neighbours, friends, and family. We can customize a keepsake with the festival logo, slogan, or artwork. For example, you can purchase custom keyrings to carry with you to show your support for the festival or as a reminder of the festival, so you can always look back and cherish this wonderful experience. When Is the Notting Hill Carnival 2026 If you are wondering when is carnival time in Notting Hill, it is easy to remember when the carnival takes place – the carnival weekend is over the August Bank Holiday with the Parade on the Monday. What time does carnival close? The Panorama Steel Band Competition closes at 11pm, apart from that events close at 7pm on both the Sunday or Monday, although the party can carry on a lot longer. Notting Hill Carnival Location The London Carnival spreads across Notting Hill, Ladbroke Grove and Wesbourne Park in the western part of the UK capital. The main parade begins on Great Western Road, and then proceeds via Chepstow Road and Westbourne Grove to Ladbroke Grove. How to Get to Notting Hill Carnival Westbourne Park and Ladbroke Grove stations are the nearest Tube stations. Check the TfL website for delays and closures before departing. Alternatively, if you are arriving from overseas you can always take use Premier London airport taxis . Notting Hill Carnival Parade Route Visit the official website for details of the carnival route: https://nhcarnival.org/carnival-info/maps Mas Bands, Steel Bands and Brazilian Bands Click for details of Mas Bands , Steel Bands and Brazilian bands performing at the 2025 Carnival, one of the main carnivals in the UK. Further information on the Carnival To keep up to date with what is scheduled for the Notting Hill Festival, click here . Photos: Notting Hill Carnival Trust, c. Niall Green.

Description supplied by the event organiser.