Notting Hill Carnival 2027
Two days of steel pan, sound systems and mas in west London.
Countdown to Notting Hill 2027
Dates
When is Notting Hill Carnival?
Notting Hill Carnival 2027 falls from Sunday, 29 August 2027 to Monday, 30 August 2027 (expected; it can move by a day).
The summer bank holiday falls on Monday 30 August 2027; organisers had not yet confirmed the carnival dates.
Date checked against timeanddate.com
| Year | Dates | Length | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 30 – 31 August 2026Sun – Mon | 2 days | Past |
| 2027 | 29 – 30 August 2027Sun – Mon | 2 days | Expected |
See every festival by date in the 2026 festival calendar and 2027 festival calendar.
The story
What it is, and why it matters
- Type
- Parade & Carnival
- Tradition
- Secular & Civic
- Where
- London, England
- Crowd
- Often described as one of Europe's largest street festivals
- UNESCO
- Not inscribed
Every August bank holiday weekend, the streets of Notting Hill turn into a celebration of Caribbean culture in London, with costumed bands, steel pan and sound systems on almost every corner.
Notting Hill Carnival has its roots in the Caribbean community that settled in west London after the Second World War. Following the 1958 race riots in the area, the activist Claudia Jones organised an indoor Caribbean carnival in 1959 to bring people together; in 1966, a local street fair led by Rhaune Laslett brought the celebration outdoors.
Today it runs over two days. Sunday is Family Day, with a children's parade, and Monday is the main parade, with mas bands in elaborate costume, steel bands and floats along a route through the area, and dozens of static sound systems playing reggae, soca, dub and more.
Culture
Traditions, food and music of Notting Hill
Traditions
What actually happens
- Mas bands — costumed bands, some of them working on their designs all year.
- Steel pan — the Panorama competition is held before the weekend.
- Sound systems — static stages playing reggae, dancehall, soca and more.
- J'ouvert — an early-morning opening with paint, powder and music.
Food
The table, widened
- Jerk chicken, curry goat and rice and peas from street stalls.
- Fried plantain, patties and fresh coconut water.
Music
Sound of the crowd
Calypso and soca, reggae and dub, alongside the sound of steel pan. The sound systems carry the history of Caribbean music in Britain.
Religion
Why this date
None. Carnival traditions in Trinidad were linked to the Catholic calendar before Lent, but the London carnival is a secular, cultural celebration.
History
How it survived
The carnival grew from the 1959 indoor event and the 1966 street fair into one of Europe's largest street festivals. It has also been a site of tension with police over the years, and is seen as an important statement of Black British culture and identity.
History
How it got here
The carnival grew from the 1959 indoor event and the 1966 street fair into one of Europe's largest street festivals. It has also been a site of tension with police over the years, and is seen as an important statement of Black British culture and identity.
1959
Indoor carnival
Claudia Jones organises a Caribbean carnival at St Pancras Town Hall.
1966
Into the streets
A local street festival in Notting Hill brings the celebration outdoors.
1970s
Sound systems
Static sound systems become a defining part of carnival.
Today
Two days
Family Day on Sunday and the main parade on bank holiday Monday.
Travel & practical
Visiting London for Notting Hill
Getting there
Use the Tube, but expect some nearby stations to be closed or exit-only; walking from further away is often quicker.
Where to go
Family Day on Sunday is calmer. The main parade route runs through Westbourne Park, Ladbroke Grove and Notting Hill.
Practical notes
Crowds are very dense. Agree a meeting point, carry little, and follow police and steward instructions.
Plan the trip with free AltFTool tools
FAQ
Notting Hill Carnival: common questions
Straight answers to what people ask most about Notting Hill Carnival.
When is Notting Hill Carnival in 2026 and 2027?
Carnival is held on the August bank holiday weekend: 30–31 August 2026, and expected on 29–30 August 2027, the Sunday and Monday of the bank holiday.
Is it free?
Yes, the street carnival is free to attend.
Is it suitable for children?
Sunday's Family Day is designed for children and families.
What is mas?
Short for masquerade: the costumed bands at the heart of the parade.
Also in August 2027
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