Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to take part in Notting Hill Carnival on Monday as the annual festivities reach their peak in west London. The main adult's parade is scheduled to start at 10.30am, turning W10 into a blaze of colour as Europe's biggest street party marks its 60th anniversary.
Police report positive mood despite arrests
The Met Police said the mood on family day was “overwhelmingly positive and celebratory”, although 169 arrests had been made by 7.45pm on Sunday. Commander Claire Smart, in charge of the policing operation, said organisers have “stepped forward” across the event, including better crowd management, after City Hall provided an extra £4.6 million to double the number of stewards and improve the use of CCTV cameras along the parade's route.
At 3pm, a 72-second silence will be held to honour the lives lost in the Grenfell fire in 2017. Yesterday’s silence was marred after a float missed the silence and continued to play music as it sailed past the North Kensington Fire Station.
What to expect on Adult’s Day
The Adult’s Parade is the height of carnival, with bands making their way around the route for the final time, showcasing costumes they have spent months preparing. For those who prefer dancing to walking, more than 50 sound systems offer music ranging from reggae to house, samba and soca.
Mas bands are a key part of the event, creating large, elaborate sculptural costumes rooted in the tradition of masquerade. The carnival was born out of resistance to racial injustices, oppression, and deprivation, and continues to advocate for equality, diversity, creativity, and freedom.
Getting to the carnival
The closest Tube stations are Ladbroke Grove, Westbourne Park, Notting Hill Gate, Latimer Road, Royal Oak, and Queensway, though these are likely to be very busy and may be exit-only or closed. Walking from stations further afield, such as Maida Vale, Kensal Green, Shepherd’s Bush, or Paddington, is recommended. Bus routes do not run inside the Carnival zone, but TfL operates special express buses that drop passengers off right outside the boundary. Planned closures are also in place on the Northern line and DLR today.
