Notting Hill Carnival is back in London this August Bank Holiday, and here’s all the info you need to know
Over a million people will descend on West London across Sunday 24th & Monday 25th August for Notting Hill Carnival 2025, which is Europe’s biggest street party. A fixture on the London calendar every year since 1966 (apart from two years off in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic), Carnival is the ultimate celebration of Caribbean culture, and features flamboyant costumes, dancing, music, street food and party vibes. The future of Carnival was in doubt earlier this summer but thanks to an extra £1 million to enhance security, the 2025 event is definitely going ahead.
When does Notting Hill Carnival start?
Following the Panorama Steel Band Competition at 4pm on Saturday 23rd August at Emslie Horniman’s Pleasance Park, Carnival proper normally kicks off early at 6am on Sunday 24th 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 25th August around 10.30am.
What is the Carnival parade route for 2025?
The route for 2025 has yet to be confirmed but it typically begins near Westbourne Park tube station, then goes 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 map below for a previous Notting Hill Carnival parade route and sound system locations.
What music is there at Notting Carnival?
It wouldn’t be Carnival without sound systems and there will be over 30 static systems dotted around the area, playing everything form dub to jungle to samba. There will also be two live stages at Emslie Horniman’s Pleasance Park and Powis Square – 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 Sat 23rd August to the morning of Tues 26th August, 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 11.30pm
- 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
