Notting Hill Carnival 2025: What you need to know

One of the longest-running street parties returns to west London for its 57th year this August bank holiday.

Notting Hill Carnival is the largest street party in Europe with more than two million people attending each year to follow the three-mile (5km) parade.

Partygoers can expect an eclectic and dazzling parade showcasing the best of masquerade dancing, soca, calypso, steel bands and sound systems.

This year there will be a 72-second silence for the victims of the Grenfell disaster, as well as new policing methods.

When is Notting Hill Carnival 2025?

Saturday, 23 August to Monday, 25 August.

What is the Notting Hill Carnival 2025 line-up?

Saturday 23 August

• Panorama. The UK's biggest steel pan competition at Emslie Horniman Pleasance Park, 16:00-23:00 BST.

• 2025's competing bands are still to be confirmed.

Sunday 24 August

• J'Ouvert, the paint party which begins just before sunrise, is not happening this year, reportedly because of a lack of bands, but the J’Ouvert bands will play later in the day with paint in the main parade

• Official opening ceremony: Mas (masquerade) Judging Point, Great Western Road. Traditionally carnival is opened by local residents and participants, accompanied by the organisers and friends at 10:00

• Children’s day parade: Expect family-friendly activities and events, with the main event being children’s mas

• "Dutty" fun mas parade: Get down and "dutty". Just like J’Ouvert, this mas is for those who enjoy the mayhem. Spectators are splashed with brightly coloured paints, powder or even melted chocolate

• Sound systems: Street dancing and sound systems, 12:00-19:00

• At 15:00 on both Sunday and Monday, a 72-second silence will be held to remember the 72 lives tragically lost in the Grenfell Tower fire

Live stages

• Red Bull Selector, 12:00-19:00, Emslie Horniman’s Pleasance Park

• Powis Square Stage, 12:00-19:00, Powis Square

Monday 25 August

• Adult's Parade: This is the carnival climax. It’s the last lap for another year and your best chance to see the brightly hued costumes and eclectic dances and songs

• Sound systems as Saturday, 12:00-19:00

Live stages

• Strawberries & Creem Stage, 12:00-19:00 at Emslie Horniman’s Pleasance

• Powis Square Stage, 12:00-19:00, Powis Square

How to get to Notting Hill Carnival 2025

As Notting Hill's roads will be closed off throughout the bank holiday weekend, you will not be able to get a taxi or catch a bus to get to the heart of the action.

Nearby Tube stations within walking distance of the main event including Notting Hill Gate will be closed or exit-only for a large part of the day so try to arrive before 11:00 to avoid impromptu closures to manage crowds.

Some stations may open after 15:00 or 18:00. To leave the area before these times, you might have to walk for up to 30 minutes to find an open Tube station.

There will be no interchange between the Circle and District lines and Central line on both days.

Do I need a ticket for Notting Hill Carnival and how safe is it?

The carnival is free for everyone but the police crowd-control a lot and you might not be allowed in to certain areas at certain times because streets get sectioned off.

If you have mobility issues or get anxious in crowds, it is better to arrive early and leave early.

In response to safety concerns, the police have announced the use of live facial recognition technology at this year's carnival.

While the Met claims the technology has aided in more than 1,000 arrests for serious crimes, civil rights organisations argue that facial recognition is less accurate for women and people of colour, potentially leading to racial bias.

Police advise to:

Go with the flow of the crowd, don't try to walk against it.

Don't just rely on your phone, set a meeting place with family or friends in case you lose one another.

Keep your belongings with you at all times.

Plan your journey in advance - do not drive your car to the area, know your public transport options and routes to and from the carnival

Make travel plans before you leave - Transport for London (TfL) has a dedicated website showing all the best and quickest options.