What is Notting Hill Carnival?
Notting Hill Carnival is a huge street festival held in west London each August bank holiday weekend. Celebrating Caribbean culture, it attracts more than a million people and is one of the largest street festivals in Europe.
The carnival has its roots in events organized by Trinidadian activist Claudia Jones in 1959 and community celebrations in Notting Hill in the 1960s, led by local organizers such as Rhaune Laslett.
Caribbean immigrants, many of the Windrush generation, faced racism and tension in the area. The carnival became a way to celebrate their culture and bring communities together.
Parades and music
The carnival features colorful costumes, steel bands, calypso and soca music, and sound systems playing reggae and other genres. Floats and dancers parade through the streets.
Sunday is traditionally Family Day, with a children's parade, while Monday features the main parade.
Food stalls serve Caribbean dishes such as jerk chicken, rice and peas and curry goat. The event requires a large police presence. It is a highlight of London's cultural calendar.