Dancing policemen, jerk chicken, steel drums, street stalls, sound systems and rastas… this can only mean one thing: the Notting Hill Carnival.  The biggest street festival in Britain takes place every year on the August Bank Holiday as two million people flock to West London to dance, drink and grind to the music.  What was once started by a small group of dedicated Trinidadian steel drummers in the 1960’s today is probably the biggest multi-cultural festival in the World.

International Artists

The festival is a visual and musical feast that has something for everyone.  If the hundreds of floats with their intricate designs, vibrant dancers and steel drumming isn’t enough to get you going then the ‘Static Sound Systems’ sure will.  There are over 45 licensed stages each equipped with hundreds of speakers that compete with each other for your attention.  They play every music under the sun from Drum & Bass, Hip Hop and Garage to Reggae, Funk, Jazz and Soul.  Not only local artists but International stars such as Wyclef Jean, Mighty Sparrow, Freedie MeGregor, Bruning Spear, Jamiroquai, Amaponda, Courtney Spin and Eddie “Electric Avenue” Grant have appeared on Notting Hill’s stages.

Cultural Heritage

The Carnival’s roots are from the island of Trinidad in the Caribbean.  In the 1830’s when Black people had been freed from slavery they took to the streets to sing and dance and use their creative skills to mock their masters. These artistic skills of steel drumming, costume making and calypso have created what is today, a fantastic festival of arts and culture.  Trinidadians are suitably proud as the Carnival draws on all aspects of their cultural heritage from both Europe and Africa.

Melting Pot

The Notting Hill Carnival attracts people from all over the world.   Over time it has far outgrown its strictly Caribbean roots.  Today groups from as far a field as Bulgaria, Russia, Afghanistan, Kurdistan, the Philippines, Bangladesh and Brazil are positively encouraged to join in the festival and add their own creative juices to the cultural melting pot.  They also add a bit of spice to the competition between the various Carnival disciplines.

Spirited Passion

The Carnival is a blur with colour, music and pure human energy.  There are so many people it is sometimes difficult to work out what is going on!  When you go try to see if you can experience a little bit of the five different musical themes that make up the carnival: Steelband, Calypso (political, social and satirical commentary, set to music), Mas’ (masquerade), Soca (the traditional music of Carnival, made up of a fusion of Soul and Calypso) and of course the Static Sound systems.  This mix makes the event what it is, a free-for-all of spirited passion, freedom and celebration. 

Hanging out for the Summer

For many the Notting Hill Carnival signals the end of the British Summer.  It is a real social occasion and despite the massive numbers of people it is one of those times when you ‘bump’ into friends you weren’t expecting. If you are thinking of coming to London why not plan to make your trip coincide with this unique event and quite literally go out with bang!

When is it: Sunday 27 August and Monday 28 August, between 12:00 and 18:00.

Where is it: Notting Hill, Ladbroke Grove and Westbourne Grove areas. 

How to get there: These Underground stations tend to be open on the day Westbourne Park, Ladbroke Grove, Latimer Road, Royal Oak or Notting Hill. There are many restrictions however and it is worth checking with Transport for London in advance.

This article first appeared in Hot English Magazine a language learning publication to help you learn English.  I write a monthly column in the title on London Life and this was the first article on the Notting Hill Carnival.  To see the a copy of the printed page itself go to our AE in the News section.

We are off to Notting Hill as part of our Social Events programme.  If you would like to join in Contact Us