In this article, you'll learn the following:
The iconic Notting Hill Carnival is Europe’s biggest street party. It’s a diverse and vibrant celebration of Caribbean culture. Over two days, more than two million people from all backgrounds come together to celebrate on the streets of West London. The scent of jerk chicken and the sound of steel band music fills the air as flamboyant dancers parade the streets in colourful costumes.
Considering heading to the party? We’ve got all the information you need to plan your trip to Notting Hill Carnival here.
When is Notting Hill Carnival?
Notting Hill Carnival 2026 takes place over the August bank holiday weekend:
- Saturday 29 August – Steel Band Competition Day (Tickets Only)
- Sunday 30 August – Families and Children's Day, including the Children's Parade and Adult's 'Dutty Mas'
- Monday 31 August – Adults Day, featuring the main Adult Parade
Start times:
- Sunday: From 10:00
- Monday: From 10:30
- Events finish around 19:00 both days.
If you're an early riser, don’t miss J’ouvert – a pre-dawn paint and powder parade starting at 06:00 on Sunday from Sainsbury’s, Canal Way, W10 5AA.
Where is Notting Hill Carnival?
The carnival takes place across West London, in and around:
- Notting Hill
- Westbourne Park
- Ladbroke Grove
The main parade route covers 3.5 miles and includes:
- Great Western Road
- Westbourne Grove
- Ladbroke Grove
How to get to Notting Hill Carnival
Public transport is the quickest and easiest way to Notting Hill Carnival, as the surrounding streets see heavy traffic. Travelling by train means you’ll get there without hassle.
Vauxhall is our closest station to Notting Hill Carnival. From there, take the Victoria line northbound and get off at Victoria. Once at Victoria, you can get a direct tube to Bayswater, High Street Kensington, Paddington, Queen's Park or Shepherd's Bush. The whole journey takes 20-25 minutes, and all five tube stations are within walking distance of the carnival.
Travelling by train
Trains run from Bournemouth, Southampton Central and Portsmouth, so it’s easy to get to the capital without a car. Find the right train tickets from our range of flexible ticket types, and benefit from cheaper train fares when travelling during off-peak hours. Save even more with Railcards and discounts, or if you’re travelling in a group, check out our GroupSave offers. Travel any time with a Sunday Out ticket.
Travelling from London
If you’re journeying from the outer London zones like Putney, Wimbledon or Richmond, you can hop on a direct train to Clapham Junction or Vauxhall. Don’t forget your London Travelcard or Oyster card, or use contactless payments for seamless travel within London.
Does Notting Hill Carnival cost money?
Notting Hill Carnival is completely free to attend, and it’s one of the best free things to do in London this August! Although, you may need to buy a ticket to continue the good vibes at one of the city’s many afterparties.
Things to do at Notting Hill Carnival
There’s plenty to do at Notting Hill Carnival. It’s a free-flowing celebration, so once you’re there you can eat, drink and dance the day away.
Notting Hill Carnival Parade
The colourful centrepiece of the event. Expect dancers, floats, steel bands, and incredible Caribbean costumes moving through the streets from 10:00 (Sunday) or 10:30 (Monday).
The route stretches over three and a half miles, starting near Westbourne Park Tube station. It then snakes through Great Western Road and Westbourne Grove, looping back up to Ladbroke Grove.
J’ouvert Morning
J’ouvert is a traditional festival celebrating ‘the opening of the day’ and the beginning of Carnival. As the sun rises, thousands parade through the streets, smeared and splattered in colourful body paints and powders.
The J’ouvert parade begins at 06:00 on Sunday. The start address is Sainsbury’s, Canal Way, Ladbroke Grove W10 5AA.
Live stages
There are plenty of live stages spread across the Carnival area, hosting local talent as well as traditional Calypsonians. In recent years, celebrity guests like Wiley, Stormzy and Giggs have performed, so you’re bound to encounter some of the best live music in London.
Don’t miss performances at:
- Soca City Stage
- Powis Square Stage
Open from 12:00–19:00 on Monday.
Sound Systems
Over 30 iconic sound systems pump out reggae, dancehall, soca, afrobeats, jungle, and more so you can get close to the bass, or find your favourite corner and dance all day.
Notting Hill Carnival tips for a stress-free day
Keep your day fun-filled and carefree with these top tips:
- Download the app - It’s free to use with an interactive map showing live GPS-tracking of the floats on the parade, as well as the locations of various sound systems, food stalls, toilets, and transport links.
- Bring cash - Not all food and drink stalls are guaranteed to take card payments, and cashpoints in the area will be busy.
- Wear suncream – The bank holiday weekend can get hot, so bring suncream to avoid sunburn and heat stroke.
- Stay hydrated - In the heat of the party, it’s easy to forget to hydrate, but you’ll regret not bringing a bottle of water with you.
- Check the TfL website - You’ll find live updates here, as some tube stations may be closed at short notice due to overcrowding.
Food and drinks
Notting Hill Carnival is one of the UK’s best spots for Caribbean street food, including favourites like Trinidadian roti and Jamaican beef patties. These fast foods are prepared kerbside to be eaten on the go, so you won’t have to miss out on any of the action.
Jamaican jerk chicken and curry goat are popular picks, often served alongside fried plantain, rice and peas. There are also veggie options at most stalls and an increase in vegan food traders this year. Wash your meal down with rum, coconut water or a Caribbean cocktail like Guinness punch.
Remember to drink responsibly.
Places to stay near Notting Hill Carnival
Looking to party through the night and spend 48 hours in London? There’s plenty of accommodation near Notting Hill, including:
Notting Hill Carnival accessibility
The Notting Hill Carnival team have made accessibility a key priority. There are over 40 designated disabled toilets scattered around the area. For wheelchair and scooter users, the closest step-free tube stations are Wood Lane and Shepherd’s Bush.
To learn more about the facilities available, visit Notting Hill Carnival’s website.
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