Join the city's biggest street party and one of the most popular carnivals in London, as the streets of west London are filled with Caribbean colours, music and flavours during Notting Hill Carnival. 

Watch elaborate floats and costumed performers wind their way through the streets in the carnival parade, dance to the sound of steel bands and calypso music, and visit the tempting food stalls along the route.

What is Notting Hill Carnival?

Notting Hill Carnival was first held in 1966. It celebrates the rich history of Caribbean culture in London.

The first Notting Hill Carnival attracted around 500 people. The carnival has since grown to become the largest street festival in Europe, attracting hundreds of thousands to London. You can usually expect to see some 50,000 performers in the parade and more than 30 sound systems, with more than one million people attending over the weekend.

If you're planning to go to the carnival, find where to stay near the celebrations, check out Caribbean restaurants to refuel at afterwards and download the Visit London app for more information.

Celebrate the capital's Black history year-round at the Black Cultural Archives in Brixton and during Black History Month in London.

Get the scoop on the best things to do in Notting Hill all year round. 

When is Notting Hill Carnival 2024?

Notting Hill Carnival usually takes place on the last weekend of August, including the summer bank holiday (public holiday) Monday. This year, the Notting Hill Carnival takes place between 24 and 26 August.

What is the Notting Hill Carnival 2024 lineup?

You can usually expect an exciting lineup of celebrations for Notting Hill Carnival: 

• Get tickets to see top bands compete in the UK's biggest steel pan competition at Panorama in Emslie Horniman's Pleasance Park. 24 Aug
• The next generation often take up the carnival baton at the joyful Children’s Parade. 25 Aug
• Colourful and exuberant festivities usually take place as part of the Traditional Parade featuring mas, soca, calypso and more. 26 Aug
• A unique party vibe is usually created by the more than 30 static Sound Systems playing everything from samba to hip-hop. 
• Delicious food and drink from around the world can often be found across more than 300 stalls, including Jamaican jerk chicken, Trinidadian roti and Guyanese pepper pot. 

Where can I buy Notting Hill Carnival tickets? 

Notting Hill Carnival is a free event to attend, including the main parade and all other live street entertainment.

The UK National Panorama Steel Band Competition in Emslie Horniman's Pleasance Park requires paid-for tickets.

Notting Hill Carnival London events 

Many of London's top venues will be hosting private Notting Hill Carnival parties across the bank holiday weekend:

• Get into the carnival spirit with a soca-led party featuring live dance performances, special effects and the Caribbean's top international DJs at Bacchanal Friday in Electric Brixton. 23 Aug
• Spend a special evening at the V&A with the award-winning sound system genius, Gladdy Wax (aka Mr Vinyl Fingers), in Sound System Stories: Wheel and Come Again! honouring his 35 years at Notting Hill Carnival. 23 Aug
• Kickstart the carnival festivities and bank holiday weekend with rum punch, tasty jerk, carnival dancers and a serious carnival soundtrack at The Reggae Brunch in Vauxhall Beer Gardens. 24 Aug
• Dance the night away to the best in reggae, bashment, soca and afrobeats at Amazing Grace's Island Takeover, a celebration of Caribbean music, food and culture. 25 Aug
• Head to Shoreditch for the ultimate Notting Hill Carnival After Party at The Book Club with top DJs playing the best in dancehall, reggae and soca. 25 Aug
• Embark on a 500-year musical journey of African and Caribbean people in Britain at Beyond the Bassline, the latest exhibition from the British Library featuring more than 200 exhibits including original records and photography. Until 26 Aug
• Continue the joyful carnival vibes with soca, afrobeats, house, garage and more from 15 DJs across four arenas at the Official Carnival After Party at the Ministry of Sound. 26 Aug
• Discover the freshest anthems all night at the Notting Hill After Party in Trapeze, London's biggest bashment, hip-hop and afrobeats party. 26 Aug

Check out more events happening during the August bank holiday weekend. 

Where in London is Notting Hill Carnival?

The carnival takes place on the streets of London W10 and W11, around Notting Hill, Ladbroke Grove, Westbourne Grove, Westbourne Park and Kensal Road. 

Where can I find the Notting Hill Carnival route map?

The Notting Hill Carnival route usually remains the same every year. A map of Notting Hill Carnival can be found on the official Notting Hill Carnival website.

How to get to Notting Hill Carnival

As many road closures take place during the festival, public transport is the best way to travel to Notting Hill Carnival in west London.

If you're planning to visit the festival, allow extra time for your journey as a number of local Tube stations close or are subject to disruption. Extra buses are normally put on during the carnival weekend, but these are diverted away from the carnival route.

The nearest Tube stations to Notting Hill Carnival are Bayswater, High Street Kensington, Paddington, Queen’s Park and Shepherd’s Bush, but some are exit-only across the weekend. Check the Transport for London website before you travel for the latest Notting Hill Carnival transport information.

What are the top tips for visiting Notting Hill Carnival?

Notting Hill Carnival is a very popular and busy event. Take the normal precautions you would when attending any large-scale event, such as arranging a meeting point and time in advance if you're going with a group of friends or family. If it's a hot August weekend, take a reusable bottle of water with you to stay hydrated, wear a hat and put on sunscreen. 

Most importantly, get into the carnival spirit! Join in with the dancing, check out the many sound systems, feast on Caribbean food and continue the festivities at one of the many afterparties.