Notting Hill Carnival is back for its 60th year over the bank holiday weekend, bringing millions of sequined performers and partying attendees to West London. The three-day celebration of Carribbean culture has grown from a local street party to the biggest event of its type in Europe – and the anniversary is set to be even more special.
Over three days, crowds will take in steel pan competitions, live sets, 40 sound systems and, of course, the main parade. There will also be two moments of silence to remember the lives lost in the Grenfell Tower fire.
Matthew Phillip, CEO of Notting Hill Carnival Ltd said: “2026 is a special year for Notting Hill Carnival. It is six decades of costumes, colour, sound, Steelpan, Calypso, Soca and sound systems. Six decades of a community that turned exclusion into expression, and struggle into celebration.
“It is important we remember Carnival did not begin as a spectacle. It was a need for the community. It was to bring the divided together! We stand on the shoulders of the people that made Carnival what it is today. This anniversary is theirs.
“This year will be spectacular and it will celebrate Carnival’s Diamond Jubilee with the sounds, colours and reverie we have come to expect. We know Carnival’s community will continue to pave the way for its glorious future.”
The Mayor of London has pledged an additional £4.66m to Carnival, allowing for an increase in the number of stewards and use of technology. Organisers have also taken on greater responsibility from partners such as the Metropolitan Police.
Here’s everything you need to know about Notting Hill Carnival 2026:
When is Notting Hill Carnival?
The spirit of the Caribbean returns to West London from Saturday, August 29 until late into Bank Holiday Monday, with the main parade scheduled for the final day.
Before that, revellers can enjoy steel band competitions, children’s activities and the much-loved return of J’Ouvert.
Saturday, August 29
- Junior Panorama Steel Band Competition: 5pm start, doors at 4pm
- Adult Panorama Steel Band Competition: 8pm start.
Known as the biggest night for steelpan in the UK, the fierce competition at Emslie Horniman’s Pleasance Park goes on until midnight. Tickets must be purchased from the Carnival Village Trust beforehand- get yours here .
Sunday, August 30
- J’ouvert: 6am – 9am, by Canal Way Roundabout
- Opening Ceremony: 10am – 10.30am, MAS Judging Point, Great Western Road
- Children’s Day Parade: 10.30am onwards
- Dutty/Fun Mas: 10.30am onwards
- Sound Systems: 12pm – 7pm
- Live Stages: 12pm – 7pm, Powis Square Stage
- Moment of Reflection: 3pm
Monday, August 31
- Adult’s Parade: 10.30am onwards
- Sound Systems: 12pm – 7pm
- Live Stages: 12pm – 7pm, Powis Square Stage
- Moment of Reflection: 3pm
A full list of performers for each day can be found on the Notting Hill Carnival website.
Do I need a ticket for Notting Hill Carnival?
Notting Hill Carnival is completely free to attend so you do not need a ticket to watch the parade on Monday.
However, anyone planning to watch the UK National Steelband Competition in Emslie Horniman’s Pleasance Park on Saturday will need to purchase tickets ahead of time. Admission costs £21.56 for adults and £7.55 for children. Tickets are available online.
The Judging Zone grandstand is now also open to the public, giving attendees a reserved seat to see the action – tickets for Sunday are available here.
2026 parade route
The route is around three and a half miles long and takes over most of W10, causing confusion for anyone unfamiliar with the area. Luckily, Carnival’s official website has released an interactive map to help people find the all-important stages, toilets and first aid points:
You can also view the map on the official Notting Hill Carnival website
The red perimeter line is the parade route. The 36 black circles show the sound systems that will be pumping out music across the three-day event.
The Magnum Stage at Powis Square is marked by a special logo. There is also a judging zone on Great Western Road.
How to reach Notting Hill Carnival
By rail
Transport for London (TfL) is encouraging people attending Carnival to get off at Paddington station and walk the remaining 20-minute distance due to crowd concerns. This is because many Tube stations nearer the festivities will be queued out or shut entirely.
The parade route spans from North Kensington to Stanley Crescent, and from Westbourne Green to Ladbroke Grove. As such, a number of stations within that area will also be subject to restrictions:
- Ladbroke Grove: Closed all day
- Latimer Road: May close for short periods throughout the day, station shuts at 11pm
- Notting Hill Gate: No entry from 11am – 6pm, District/Circle lines will not stop
- Westbourne Park: No entry from 11am
- Holland Park: No entry from 11am – 3pm, station shuts at 3pm
- Queensway: No entry from 11am – 6pm. Station is exit only
- Royal Oak: No entry from 11am – 6pm, station shuts at 6pm
- Shepherds Bush: No ticket facilities or down escalator after 4pm. Access to platforms will be via 71 steps
- Kensal Green: Queues expected outside station all day
- Kensal Rise: Chamberlayne Road entrance closes at 6pm, queueing system thereafter.
By bus
Due to road closures, day and night buses will be diverted away from the Carnival area. The following routes are affected:
- Daytime: 7, 18, 23, 27, 28, 31, 36, 52, 70, 228, 295, 302, 316, 328
- Night-time: N7, N27, N28, N31
However, a few special limited-stop bus routes are in place across the weekend:
- 148X to Victoria and Vauxhall: Operating between Notting Hill Gate and Victoria from 10am – 5pm, then Notting Hill Gate and Vauxhall until 10pm. This calls at Shepherd’s Bush, Notting Hill Gate, Marble Arch and Victoria.
- 7X to East Acton: Serves all route 7 stops between Oxford Circus and Paddington and Du Cane Road and East Acton. Also calls at Lancaster Gate and Notting Hill Gate.
- 36X to Harrow Road: Runs between Peckham and Harrow Road in one direction only.
- 18X to Stonebridge Park: Runs between Warren Street and Stonebridge Park from 12:00 to 22:00. 23X to Victoria: Runs between Harrow Road, Prince of Wales and Victoria for four trips on Monday afternoon only.
- 6X to Harrow Road: Runs between Peckham and Harrow Road in one direction only. This calls at all stops between Peckham and Vauxhall, then running non-stop to Harrow Road.
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