What to expect at Notting Hill Carnival?

Since 1966, carnival has been a celebration of British Caribbean culture and diversity, a festival of music, dance, and food and drink. The floats always dazzle, performers dress emphatically, and sound systems reverberate through mouthfuls of jerk chicken and gulps of Red Stripe.

What do I need to know before going to Notting Hill Carnival?

Do you need cash for Notting Hill Carnival?

Remember to take cash. Visit the Notting Hill Carnival websiteto plan your day. And be prepared to get messy!

Which is the best day to go on a Notting Hill Carnival?

Which is the better day at Carnival? If you're after a more chilled NHC experience, go for family day on Sunday, or if you like the sound of a hard-partying parade, make sure to go on Carnival Monday. The festivities kick off with an opening ceremony on Sunday morning, with the parade starting at 10am.

What do you wear to Notting Hill Carnival?

Pack lightweight plastic ponchos and umbrellas to combat the rain, while a good hat and some sunscreen will help if the sun does shine. A lightweight shawl or scarf would also be useful if it gets cold or to protect your shoulders against the sun.

Top tips for Notting Hill Carnival

What do you wear to Notting Hill Carnival 2023?

At this event blending in with the crowd would be a travesty, so go all out with bold and bright colours. As for the bottoms, shorts are the better choice for this event because you'll be walking around a lot and your legs will need that freedom.

Can you bring your own drink to Notting Hill Carnival?

You can bring your own food and drinks — just no glass – but there are over 300 food stalls to choose from, and nothing says Notting Hill Carnival like some expertly cooked jerk chicken.

What time does Notting Hill Carnival start and finish?

What are the timings for the Notting Hill Carnival? On Sunday and Monday, the parades will kick off at 10.00am and 10.30am respectively, with the judging finishing at around 6.30pm. The Notting Hill Carnival ends at 7pm, when the music stops because of a noise curfew as it takes place in a residential area.

What do they eat at Notting Hill Carnival?

Traditionally the main emphasis is on an array of varied Caribbean foods. 'Jamaican Jerk Chicken' is King , and the smell of a jerk pit is the immediate 'scent of Notting Hill Carnival'. Look out for that, also Trinidadian 'Roti', and Guyanese 'Pepper Pot' are a must try.

Which tube is best for Notting Hill Carnival?

How much does it cost to go to Notting Hill Carnival?

The Notting Hill Carnival 2023 is slated for the August bank holiday weekend, spanning from Saturday, August 26, to Monday, August 28. Most of the celebrations are open for all, free of charge.

What stations do you get off for Notting Hill Carnival?

What are the risks of Notting Hill Carnival?

The number of crimes occurring at Carnival has risen slightly over recent years. Traditionally, the vast majority of offences have been related to theft and drugs. The number of violent incidents, however, is rising. This year there were 15 reports of violent injuries involving a knife or blade.

Are there toilets at Notting Hill Carnival?

Notting Hill Carnival in numbers: 300 food stalls, 38 live sound systems and 1,000 toilets | Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea.

How many hours is Notting Hill Carnival?

Notting Hill Carnival takes place over the August bank holiday weekend, on Sunday, August 27 and Monday, August 28. Festivities officially start at around 10am on Sunday and 10:30am on Monday, with music blaring until around 7pm, and activities on until 8:30pm.

What to drink at Notting Hill Carnival?

Rum: The Heartbeat of the Carnival

With roots in the sugar plantations of the 17th century, rum became both the drink of pirates (yes, actual pirates) and the choice for celebrating emancipation. At Notting Hill, rum isn't just sipped; it's experienced.

Where are the food stalls at Notting Hill Carnival?

The roads of W10 and W11 within the Carnival route will see around 250 pop-up vendors selling Caribbean-inspired street food: jerk chicken, of course, but also Trinidadian roti wraps with spicy fillings, Guyanese pepperpot — stewed beef, pork or mutton, heady with cinnamon — plus saltfish cakes, plantain and sweetcorn.

What is the most popular carnival food?

What do you wear to a carnival?

Wear things that are sheer, with strings, and are short!” She has a few rules: “Do not be an idiot — do not wear high heels to Carnival. Always trainers. You want to be able to run around. And wear clothes that make you feel free.” Her two absolute essentials?

Is Notting Hill Gate station open during carnival?

Notting Hill Gate – will be exit only and no District or Circle Line from 11am to 6pm on carnival days. This station may also close briefly if too busy. Westbourne Park – will be exit only from 11am to 6pm and close at 11.30pm.

What is dutty mas?

Similarly, Dutty (dirty) or Fun Mas sees participants dancing in brightly coloured paints and powders in a display of mayhem, revelry and pure bacchanal.

What time is the parade at Notting Hill Carnival?

Notting Hill Carnival 2023 dates

The Notting Hill Carnival will take place between Sunday August 27 and Monday August 28. The festivities commence at 10:00-10:30am both days. All the sound systems and main stages will host acts and play music until 7pm when the Carnival will begin to wind down for the day.

Is Notting Hill Carnival kid friendly?

The family-friendly day is designed to encourage the next generation - and hundreds of youngsters donned their glad rags and turned out to dance along the route. The carnival is one of the longest-running street parties in the world and the largest street party in Europe.

Can you sell alcohol at Carnival?

Stalls are not provided, you must come with your own. Electricity is also not provided. Traders are not permitted to sell alcohol in any form.

What should a white person wear to Notting Hill Carnival?

Though neon brights are the order of the day for most Notting Hill Carnival attendees, don't feel discouraged if your personal style is more colour-averse; you can still party as hard as the rest in an all-black ensemble.