Takes place August Bank Holiday

The Notting Hill Carnival began with the Abolition of Slavery Act in 1833 when the very first carnival was held in Trinidad. Caribbean’s took to the streets and celebrated with song, dance and costumes. During the next one hundred years the carnival developed into a strong tradition. During the 1950’s the West Indian immigrants brought their traditions with them to England. In 1959 the first celebration of Carnival in England took place at St. Pancras Town Hall- the organiser was Claudia Jones, editor of the West Indian Gazette.

The celebrations were then held annually, moving its location from various town halls until the Carnival found a home in Notting Hill in 1964. It was the acceptance and integration by the residents of Notting Hill that has allowed the Carnival to grow and grow until it reached the enormous scale of today’s festivities.

The performers at the Notting Hill Carnival even performed at the Queens Golden Jubilee celebrations. The Notting Hill Carnival still bears the strong Caribbean flavour of its origins- Steel Drums, Calypso and Soca music ring through the streets. There are extravagant costumes, floats and dancing. To many the Notting Hill Carnival is not only an established London tradition, it is a symbol of London’s multi-cultural status.