Notting Hill Carnival 2024: What you need to know

Notting Hill Carnival returns to west London this August bank holiday for the 56th year.

Carnival is one of the longest running street parties in the world and the largest street party in Europe.

Over two million people, including thousands of tourists, attend each year to follow the three-mile (5km) parade.

Expect an eclectic and dazzling parade showcasing the best of masquerade dancing, external, soca, calypso, steel bands and sound systems.

When is Notting Hill Carnival 2024?

Saturday 24 August to Monday 26 August.

What is the Notting Hill Carnival 2024 line-up?

Saturday 24 August

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

• 2024's competing bands: Croydon Steel Orchestra, Ebony Steelband (the defending champions,) Mangrove Steelband, Metronomes Steel Orchestra and Real Steel.

Sunday 25 August

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

• 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. As a spectator you can expect to be splashed with brightly coloured paints, powder or even melted chocolate

• Sound systems: If you love street dancing but don’t want to be "on di road" then the sound systems are where it’s at. At today’s Carnival you can hear everything from rare groove to house to samba. From 12:00 - 19:00.

Lives stages

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

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

Monday 26 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 2024?

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 may have to walk 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 may 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.

There will be a safe area for women and girls with specially trained professionals, with the Met working with charity Safer Spaces.

Police advise to:

Go with the flow of the crowd, don't try and 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 carnival

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