Where? Notting Hill, London, W11 3AG
When? Sunday 30th August – Monday 31st August
Nearest Tubes: High Street Kensington, Holland Park, Queen’s Park, Shepherd’s Bush, Bayswater, Paddington, (Notting Hill Gate, Latimer Road, Notting Hill Gate, Royal Oak and Westbourne Park stations will be open with restrictions)
Since 1964, the August Bank Holiday weekend has meant one thing and one thing only: the Notting Hill Carnival. Europe’s largest street festival, the carnival celebrates Afro-Caribbean culture, from traditional calypso music to fried plantain or “tostones”. Join the rest of London at this free event and enjoy the various food stalls, steel and pan bands, colourful processions and extraordinary costumes. Sunday is the best day for family visits and will host costume competitions and workshops, while Monday will feature the Grand Finale with over 60 bands spread over 38 sound systems at various locations around the area. Official hours are 6am-8.30pm on Sunday 10am - 8.30pm on Monday, but stick around afterwards for the numerous after-parties which are guaranteed to be just as popular as the daytime events.