Notting Hill Carnival Craze

Every year the streets of West London come alive with the sounds and smells of Europe’s biggest street festival, the Notting Hill Carnival. The August Bank Holiday is an absolute treat to witness with twenty miles of vibrant colorful costumes, food stalls, music - dance, over 40,000 volunteers and over 1 million carnival revellers.

The fest was first held in 1966 as a local festival set up by the West Indian community of the Notting Hill area. Today it has achieved the status of the most exciting annual event as a full-blooded Caribbean carnival, attracting millions of visitors from all over the globe.

The usual event flow is the steel band competition on Saturday followed by children's costume party on Sunday and the parade happens on the Bank Holiday Monday. This year the Carnival Bands took to the roads at about nine in the morning on Sunday 25th August and the parade completed the procession by seven in the evening on Monday 26th August. It followed the regular path beginning on the Great Western Road, through the Chepstow Road, on to Westbourne Grove and then finally Ladbroke Grove.

As the evening drew to  close, people continue partying at the after parties organised by various clubs.

What a super day, well spent. Fun, Food and Frolic! Have you gone to a carnival? Share your fun experiences.
~ Heena