Notting Hill Carnival is back in London across the August Bank Holiday, and here’s all the info you need to know
Over a million people will descend on West London between 27th & 28th August for Notting Hill Carnival 2023, 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.
Following the Panorama Steel Band Competition on Saturday 26th August at Emslie Horniman’s Pleasance Park, Carnival proper kicks off early at 6am on Sunday 27th 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 children’s parade on Sun 27th August and the adults parade on Mon 28th August both start at 10am, following a route that 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. The music from the sound systems start at noon and stop at 7pm (the curfew is strict as Carnival takes place in a residential area), so that’s the time to head to an afterparty. Check out the map below for the full Notting Hill Carnival parade route and those all-important sound system locations.
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