Every August Bank Holiday weekend, the streets of Notting Hill in West London become the stage for Europe’s largest street festival. In 2026, the carnival takes place on 30 and 31 August, with up to two million visitors over the two-day weekend. Spectacular sound systems, elaborate costumes and the infectious rhythms of calypso, soca, reggae and steel pan fill the streets. Entry is completely free.
Free entry — no tickets required. You simply walk into the street.
A festival born from community and resistance
The Notting Hill Carnival was founded in 1966 in response to the race riots that had shocked Notting Hill in 1958. The outdoor street carnival, inspired by the carnival traditions of Trinidad and Tobago, began in 1964 and has grown year by year into the spectacular event it is today. It remains a celebration of the Caribbean community’s contribution to British life.
What you’ll find
The Grand Parade
The spectacular Grand Parade on Monday, with elaborate mas-bands of thousands of costumed performers dancing through the streets. The costumes take months to make — feathers, glitter, colours and movement in a procession that makes the streets literally vibrate.
Sound systems
The carnival is famous for its sound systems — powerful mobile music installations along the route, each with a different style. From vintage reggae to soca, dancehall and drum and bass.
Caribbean food
Along the route, dozens of stalls serve Caribbean food: jerk chicken, curry goat, roti, festivals (fried dumplings) and sugar cane.
Practical info
- Date 2026: 30 August (Sunday, Children’s Day) and 31 August (Monday, main day)
- Entry: completely free
- Location: Notting Hill, West London (around Ladbroke Grove and Portobello Road)
- Getting there: tube (Ladbroke Grove or Notting Hill Gate); come by public transport — the area is closed to cars on the festival day
- Tip: arrive early on Monday for a good spot along the parade route; it gets extremely busy in the afternoon
- Tip 2: bring cash for the food stalls — ATMs run out quickly
- More info: nhcarnival.org