Notting Hill
Carnival 2026
The 60th Anniversary
Europe's largest street festival turns sixty. Everything you need to know about Notting Hill Carnival 2026.
The 60th Anniversary
Europe's largest street festival turns sixty. Everything you need to know about Notting Hill Carnival 2026.
August Bank Holiday Weekend — Notting Hill & Ladbroke Grove, West London
Sunday is traditionally Family Day, with the children's parade and activities for young people. Monday is Adults' Day, with the main parade and sound systems.
The Carnival route runs through the streets of Notting Hill and Ladbroke Grove, with the main parade on Great Western Road, Chepstow Road and Westbourne Grove. Notting Hill Carnival is a free public event. No tickets are required.
The History
2026 marks sixty years since the first Notting Hill Carnival in 1966. What started as a small street gathering has become Europe's largest street festival, attracting over two million people to the streets of West London every August bank holiday weekend.
In the summer of 1966, community organiser Rhaune Laslett brought neighbours together for a multicultural street festival in Notting Hill. Steel band pioneer Russ Henderson brought Caribbean music to the streets, connecting the event to Trinidad's Carnival tradition. From 1973, Leslie Palmer transformed it into a major festival that drew tens of thousands.
But Carnival did not emerge from nowhere. Its roots lie in the Windrush generation who arrived from the Caribbean in the 1950s and 1960s, building community in the face of racism and discrimination. The 1958 Notting Hill race riots, the struggles of the Mangrove Nine, and decades of resistance and resilience created the conditions for Carnival to become what it is today: a celebration of survival, culture and identity.
Times & Schedule
Opening ceremony 10am. Children's parade from 10.30am to 5pm. Sound systems and live stages 12pm to 7pm. All music finishes at 7pm.
Main parade 10.30am to 5pm. Sound systems and live stages 12pm to 7pm. All music finishes at 7pm.
Celebrate the 60th
To mark this milestone, Notting Hill Walks and More Curricular CIC are running a six-month heritage programme from May to October 2026, exploring the real history behind Europe's biggest street festival.
Three guided tours through the streets where Carnival was born. From the Mangrove to the shebeens to the summit of the actual hill. £10 per person, under 16s free.
Community speakers sharing first-hand stories of Carnival's origins. The Mangrove Nine, the founding families and In Conversation evenings with community elders.
In Full Colour: Notting Hill's Caribbean Story. Student artwork and heritage documents at Mason & Fifth, July 2026. Free entry.
Multigenerational supper evenings where food meets oral history. African Heritage Supper and Caribbean Heritage Supper, both in August.
Make & Taste: Caribbean Sweets and Carnival Souvenir Making. Hands-on creative sessions alongside the exhibition weekend in July.
Community members leading their own walks through the neighbourhood. £6 per person. Guests announced throughout the programme.
Take Part
Want to be part of Notting Hill Carnival 2026, not just watch it? There are mas bands welcoming new members to join and take part in the Carnival parade. Whether you have never done Carnival before or you are an experienced masquerader, this is your chance to be part of the 60th anniversary celebration.
Interested? Email hello@nottinghillwalks.co.uk and we will point you in the right direction.
FAQs
Gallery
Register to receive the full Carnival 60 programme on 17 April.
Register for the Programme
