Notting Hill Carnival 2026: 60 years of the iconic festival

Notting Hill Carnival is one of the most hotly anticipated events in England's capital city.

2026 marks 60 years of the the London carnival which one of the largest and longest-standing street festivals in the world.

It brings together people from across the UK and beyond to celebrate Caribbean heritage, arts, and culture - with vibrant music, delicious food, and energetic dancing.

Every summer, around two million people attend the festivities.

The carnival takes place every year over the August bank holiday weekend.

In 2026, the event will be held on Saturday 29 August through to Monday 31 August in Notting Hill, West London.

The first Notting Hill Carnival was held in 1966, organised by community activist Rhaune Laslett.

Laslett, who lived in Notting Hill, aimed to bring together the diverse local community by creating a multicultural festival that celebrated unity and inclusion.

That first event drew people from many different backgrounds and was the beginning of what would become a yearly tradition.

Since then, the carnival has continued to grow.

Today, organisers say it is the biggest street carnival in Europe, and one of the largest in the world, second only to Rio de Janeiro's carnival in Brazil.

Allyson Williams is the widow of one of the carnival's founder's Vernon Williams.

She says she sees the carnival as a "teaching tool" that helps younger generations understand the history of Notting Hill and the Windrush generation.

Notting Hill Carnival is a loud, colourful, and vibrant celebration.

There's plenty of dancing, music, singing, and lively processions that move through the streets of West London.

The carnival follows a route of over three miles, and many roads in the area are closed to traffic during the event.

After concerns of overcrowding at lasts year's festival, the Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan announced £4.66 million in funding to help with security and additional safety measures.

The parades are huge events with thousands of people taking part and watching.

People often spend months creating their elaborate, colourful costumes for the big parade.

The Children's Day Parade takes place on Sunday 30th August and features young performers in vibrant costumes, dancing through the streets in a family-themed atmosphere.

On Bank Holiday Monday, the Adults' Parade takes centre stage.

There are also huge floats - decorated platforms built on or towed by vehicles.

These floats are often covered in bright, colourful materials and feature dancers, musicians, and sound systems that really stand out in the parade.

There's all kinds of music for the crowds to enjoy - including steel bands, reggae, soca, calypso, and even salsa.

And of course, there's a lot of traditional Caribbean food to choose from.

Around 240 food stalls serve delicious dishes like jerk chicken, curried goat, roti, and more. Yum!

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