Over a million people will descend on West London across Sunday 30th & Monday 31st August for Notting Hill Carnival 2026, which is Europe’s biggest street party. 2026 is extra special as it marks 60 years since Carnival first took to the streets in 1966. A fixture in London’s calendar ever since, Carnival is the ultimate celebration of Caribbean culture, and features flamboyant costumes, dancing, music, street food and party vibes.
This year, we’ve teamed up with sound system queen Linett Kamala as our Carnival guest editor. Linett’s been banging the drum for more women selectors for 40 years, ever since she DJ’d for the first time at the event. This year, you can take a breather from the crowds at Linett’s LIN KAM ART Chill Spot. Check Linett’s guest edit for more details.
Author and DJ Marcus Barnes has also taken us behind the scenes with a piece on Why Carnival Still Feels Like Christmas.
When does Notting Hill Carnival start?
Following the Panorama Steel Band Competition at 4pm on Sat 29th August at Emslie Horniman’s Pleasance Park, Carnival proper kicks off early at 6am on Sun 30th August with J’Ouvert, the traditional way to open Carnival in the Caribbean, where mas bands hit the streets early doors on Sunday morning with paint and powder throwing. The official opening ceremony begins at 10am on Sunday, followed by the children’s parade. The adult’s parade starts on Mon 31st August around 10.30am.
If you can’t quite wait until the weekend, you can get in the Carnival spirit with London’s biggest warm-up party on the Friday.
What is the Carnival parade route for 2026?
The route for 2026 is following the same path as pervious years, beginning near Westbourne Park tube station, then going down Great Western Road and Chepstow Road, before turning on Westbourne Grove, going up Ladbroke Grove, and turning onto Kensal Road. You can check out the official route map below which includes all the sound system locations.
What music is there at Notting Carnival?
It wouldn’t be Carnival without sound systems and there will be 36 static systems dotted around the area, playing everything form dub to jungle to samba. There will also be two live stages: the Powis Square stage is at the heart of the festival, while the stage in Meanwhile Gardens is tailored for families and young children. The line-ups are usually announced right at the last minute and there’s always plenty of surprise guests at Carnival, so keep your eyes peeled.
On both days, the music from the sound systems and the live stages starts at noon and stops at 7pm (the curfew is strict as Carnival takes place in a residential area), so that’s the time to head to an afterparty.
How do you get to Notting Hill Carnival?
There’ll be lots of road closures in Notting Hill during Carnival so you won’t be able to drive, get the bus or take a taxi to main parade area. Santander Cycle docking stations in the area will be suspended from the afternoon of Sun 30th August to the morning of Tues 1st September, so you won’t be able to cycle either.
Tube stations in the area will be busy, with some being exit-only and others closing early, so it’s best to plan your travel route in advance as well as listening out for announcements on the day you’re travelling. Paddington and Shepherd’s Bush stations are both within walking distance and both the Elizabeth line and Overground will be less busy than the Central line. Here’s the info and timings for the other main tube stations across both Sunday and Monday:
- Ladbroke Grove – closed all day
- Latimer Road – closes at 11.00pm
- Westbourne Park – no entry from 11am
- Holland Park – no entry between 11am – 3pm, station closes at 3pm
- Royal Oak – no entry between 11am – 6pm, station closes at 6pm
- Notting Hill Gate – no entry between 11am – 6pm, no interchange between Central and District/Circle line, District/Circle lines will not stop
