Notting Hill Carnival 2024 is the largest street festival in Europe, with 50,000 performers, 30 sound systems and more than 1 million people in attendance over the course of the weekend. The festival celebrates Caribbean heritage in London and aims to promote cultural inclusion and community.
Expect to see beautiful performers dressed in vibrant costumes, tons of reggae and Caribbean music, delicious street food and a high-energy party atmosphere.
Continue reading down for the full event schedule including timing and transportation information.
When is Notting Hill Carnival 2024?
This Caribbean cultural festival spans from Sunday, 25 August to Monday, 26 August. Sunday focuses on families and children’s activities, while Monday is the main event for adults.
The full Notting Hill Carnival schedule for 2024 is as follows:
Sunday, 25 August – Notting Hill Carnival Schedule
- From 6 to 9 a.m., join a special J’Ouvert or “opening of the day” celebration with colourful paints and powders and tons of party energy starting at Sainsburys Ladbroke Grove (W10 5AA).
- Then from 10 to 10:30 a.m., watch the magic of the official 2024 Notting Hill Carnival opening ceremony at the MAS Judging Point on Great Western Road. The children’s parade and carnival will go along the main Notting Hill Carnival route from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Immediately following the children’s parade, the “Dutty Mas” mayhem will begin around 12 p.m. As a bystander, expect to be splashed with colorful paints and be swept up in the Caribbean spirit with bass-heavy music and dancing aplenty.
Monday, 26 August – Notting Hill Carnival Schedule
- The central attraction and main event of Notting Hill Carnival London is the parade on Monday, 26 August. The show starts at 10 a.m. and is expected to last until 8:30 p.m. Throw on your brightest, most vibrant Notting Hill Carnival outfit and head down to the parade route early for the best view.
Notting Hill Carnival 2024 Map and Parade Route
A Notting Hill Carnival map is shown above. The map indicates the main parade route, as well as locations of medical tents, the judging zone and various sound systems and stages throughout the area.
It would be a good idea to indicate a meeting point with friends and family in case anyone becomes separated from your group. Cell service may be limited or non-operational if the networks are overburdened from crowds.
How to Get There
This year, as always, London Carnival 2024 will be very crowded and busy. I would recommend arriving several hours ahead of the parade to secure a good location and viewing spot.
It’s best to take public transportation to Notting Hill for the festival. The Tube stations closest to Notting Hill Carnival are High Street Kensington, Bayswater, Paddington, Queen’s Park and Shepherd’s Bush. Some stations, like Westbourne Park, will be exit-only during the busy weekend.
Station alerts from the official Notting Hill Carnival 2024 residents’ guide are included below. However, be sure to check the official Transport for London website before you start your journey.
Notting Hill Carnival History
The Notting Hill Carnival emerged as a response to the racial tensions and discrimination experienced by London’s Caribbean community, particularly following the “Windrush” generation’s arrival in the UK from the Caribbean.
In 1948, the Empire Windrush ship arrived in London carrying hundreds of Caribbean migrants seeking opportunities and a better life. These newcomers faced prejudice and challenges integrating into British society. In the late 1950s, racial tensions escalated, leading to the Notting Hill race riots in 1958, which saw violent clashes between white and black communities.
In the midst of this conflict, the first seeds of what would become the Notting Hill Carnival were sown. Claudia Jones, a Trinidadian activist and journalist, organized an indoor event known as the “Caribbean Carnival” in January 1959. It aimed to foster a sense of community pride, celebrate Caribbean culture and provide an opportunity for people to come together amid the social tensions.
The event’s success and the positive response it received laid the foundation for the larger outdoor Nottinghill carnival 2024 we know today.
In 1966, Rhaune Laslett, a local social worker, organized the first outdoor carnival procession as part of her efforts to bridge divides and promote harmony among the diverse communities of Notting Hill.
What happens at Notting Hill Carnival?
Notting Hill Carnival is a two-day celebration the last bank holiday weekend in August that features food vendors, Caribbean music and a central parade with vibrantly-costumed performers. The event is a celebration of Caribbean cultural heritage and ethnic diversity in London.
What is the best day to go to Notting Hill Carnival?
The best day to attend Carnival London 2024 is Monday, 26 August. The parade is at 10 a.m. on this day and represents the climax of cultural celebrations.
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