Summary

  • Floats and performers are making their way through the streets of west London today for Notting Hill Carnival

  • The festival - in its 56th year - includes a dazzling parade showcasing the best of masquerade dancing, soca, calypso, steel bands and sound systems

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

Live Reporting

Edited by Matt Spivey and Jamie Whitehead

  1. Our coverage is closing, but the party continues in west London

    Jamie Whitehead
    Live editor

    A woman dancing in a read top and sunglasses. There is a woman next to her, also in a red top ans sunglasses, and behind is a man with his hand on his headGetty Images

    We've had a taste of the vibes coming from west London this afternoon as the Notting Hill Carnival comes to a close.

    If you want more from Notting Hill, Radio 1Xtra has an entire collection of sounds for you to spend the rest of the Bank Holiday with.

    And if you want to relive the day, check out these pictures.

    Elsewhere, we've had a few updates on the woman who was stabbed at the Carnival yesterday which you can find here.

    Thanks for joining us, see you next year.

  2. Feathers, sequins, drummers and more feathers

    We've got more pictures now as the party continues in the sun with more vibrant costumes covered in feathers and drummers on hand to keep the party vibes going.

    Here are some of the best pictures from the last hour of the Notting Hill Carnival, showcasing the joy of those there.

    Two women in brightly coloured outfits in the parade with feathers on their outfits, leaves and moving floats at different heightsGetty Images
    A woman in pink outfit with sequin trousers, sleeves, hat and a piece of sequin fabric covering her faceGetty Images
    Drummers in blue shirts and hats at Notting Hill CarnivalGetty Images
    Woman in purple and pink outfit at Notting Hill Carnival with large feathers in a semi-circle behind herGetty Images

  3. Need the toilet? That'll be £3

    Some people living close to the Notting Hill Carnival parade are cashing-in on the huge crowds descending on their streets and have become entrepreneurs on their own doorsteps.

    Signs outside homes in the area show some selling the use of their toilet for £3, two cans of beer for £7, fans, handbags and even slush is on offer during the warm weather.

    I wonder how many toilet queue jumps have been sold?

    Woman outside home in Notting Hill with signs for toilet and drinks for sale on street near paradeGetty Images
    Man stood outside home in Notting Hill talking to woman facing away from camera with signs selling cold drinks and alcohol as well as rail of handbags and fansGetty Images

  4. 'We get a front row seat every year'

    Marcia Veiga
    Reporting from Notting Hill Carnival

    Notting Hill Carnival embraces all cultures, including the Brazilian community which holds one of the world’s biggest events.

    This is Rafael and Karina’s third time hosting their food shop, on the corner of Chepstow Road, where they’ll get front row seats to the parade going by.

    “There’s no difference, we go to the street and we follow the music. There’s no song that reminds me of Carnival but the drums immediately take me back. I’m most looking forward to seeing the costumes, that will make it feel like we’re back home.”

    Rafael and Karina pose outside their food shop

  5. In pictures: Fabulous costumes and a snake, but the dog isn't phased

    We're seeing pictures now of some more elaborate costumes making their way through the parade at Notting Hill Carnival, so let's take a moment to see some pictures coming our way.

    And it wouldn't be a carnival without at least one picture of a dog, would it?

    A person in a huge black and gold costume walking down an empty road at Notting Hill Carnival, there are people on each pavement watching.Getty Images
    A man in a sparkling costume. He has a purple wig and a custom-made top with the Brazilian flag on the frontPA Media
    A person in a colourful costume with their face hidden, holding a snake.Reuters
    A small grey dog with black ears with a Jamaican flagPA Media

  6. Carnival is a 'feast for the senses'

    James Kelly
    Reporting from Notting Hill Carnival

    Crowds gathered in street at Notting Hill Carnival in bright coloured outfits as bus drives past full will revellers

    There is an "electric energy in the air" at Notting Hill Carnival

    The streets of west London are absolutely packed with people along the carnival route.

    As you squeeze your way through the crowds it's a sensation for all senses with blaring beats from the sound systems, the burst of the parade's colourful costumes combined with the smell of dozens of food stalls selling every type of Caribbean food imaginable.

    From what we found among the crowds, the celebrations are going off peacefully with an electric energy in the air.

  7. In pictures: Adults Day in Notting Hill - vibes, costumes and drums

    Adults Day at Notting Hill Carnival is all about 'showtime', as musicians and dancers are making their way through the streets of west London on the final day of celebrations.

    It's a party over in W10 and W11, here's a selection of the best pics we've seen in the last hour.

    In case you're missing out on the Carnival today, you can follow along live on BBC iPlayer or press the watch live button at the top of the page to watch it.

    A woman dancing in the street in a brightly-coloured outfit. She is holding a sign saying "Doh come!"Getty Images
    A samba performer in a brightly-coloured dress dancing, She has men dressed in green behind herGetty Images
    Drummers wearing blue shirts at the Notting Hill CarnivalPA Media
    A man in a red costume in front a float at Notting Hill carnivalReuters

  8. Violence has no place at Carnival, says Met Police

    More now from the Metropolitan Police after three people have been stabbed over the weekend, including a 32-year-old woman who was at Notting Hill Carnival with her child.

    Metropolitan Police Commander Charmain Brenyah has told the BBC that "violence has no place at Carnival."

    Commander Brenyah says the police "do not want a repeat of what happened yesterday" and confirmed 7,000 officers are present at the Carnival to "act decisively on criminality."

    So far, 103 arrests have been made and 18 officers have been assaulted.

  9. Listen: BBC Radio 1Xtra's Carnival Collection

    A woman dressed in a yellow costume next to a man dressed in a red one.Reuters

    Can’t make it to Notting Hill today? Don’t worry, you can feel the vibes from west London by clicking watch live at the top of this page to see everything that’s going on.

    We’re here till 16:00 BST today, but if you want even more after that, we’ve got you covered. Here’s a sneak peak at what our colleagues at Radio 1Xtra have for you:

    • UK Soca Special with Triniboi Joocie - Triniboi Joocie presents a UK Soca special to celebrate carnival season
    • Soca Kings - 1Xtra’s Seani B gets in the mix and celebrates the carnival season by spotlighting Soca giants
    • Soca Sixty, Sounds of the Caribbean - Sounds of the Caribbean with Barrie Hype, DJ Triple M, Kevin Crown, Dr Roach and DJ Taffy
    • Soca Sixty, The Classics - Soca classics with two of the top DJ's in Soca, DJ Puffy and Dr Jay

    You can view the full schedule of programmes throughout Notting Hill Carnival here.

  10. In pictures: Adults Day in full swing

    Adults Day is so far filled with celebrations, music and dancing as bands and musicians take their performances to the streets.

    Streets are full with brightly coloured outfits adorned with capes, feathers, bejewelled head pieces and revellers have pulled out all the stops to embody the joyous celebration of Caribbean arts and culture.

    Woman in blue feathered dance outfit at Carnival with jewelled headpiece as more people in carnival outfits (blurred) walk behind herReuter

    Carnival-goers have donned their best and brightest outfits for today's parade

    Woman in green Carnival outfit with feathers and pink flower headpiece outside Westbourne Park Tube station with parade van driving beindReuters

    Dancing is encouraged at Adults Day

    Woman dressed in blue sparkled outfit with large feathered capeReuters

    Bands will be taking their performances to the streets during the parade

    Woman in white and silver carnival outfit adorned with jewels and wingsReuters

    Wings, feathers, capes and jewels are a familiar sight at Carnival

  11. 'Feel the party vibes, it's showtime!'

    Two women at Notting Hill Carnival in brightly coloured yellow and green outfits with large fan-like structures on their back in bright colours and jewelled headpieces to match their outfitsGetty Images

    Carnival-goers have dressed up in colourful outfits ready for the Adults Day parade

    Notting Hill Carnival has entered its final day as crowds of revellers are arriving in their finest and most colourful attire for a day full of celebration, music and dance.

    Adults Day, which follows on from the Families' and Children's Day yesterday, is all about celebrating Caribbean arts and culture with a huge street party vibe.

    Bands parade through the streets in west London with onlookers encouraged to grab a whistle or a horn to play along while dancing to the music as it echoes across Notting Hill.

    As the organisers themselves say, today is "showtime" for the bands and dancers who have spent all year preparing for the parade, and those watching on are encouraged to "feel the intensity of the party vibes".

  12. What can you expect to see today?

    Adults Parade: Monday is the final of the three days of the Notting Hill Carnival, with even more of a party vibe than Sunday's family day.

    It’s a last lap of the parade route for another year and your best chance to see the brightly hued costumes and eclectic dances and songs. The parade runs from 10:30 BST to 20:30 BST.

    A number of static sound systems will play from 12:00 to 19:00 at various locations across the area

    Live stages:

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

    Here's everything else you need to know for today.

  13. How to watch Notting Hill Carnival

    In case you aren't able to make your way over to Notting Hill this bank holiday, fear not, as we'll have everything streamed live on this page.

    From 12:00 until 16:00 BST, you can follow along live on BBC iPlayer or press the watch live button at the top of the page to catch it all.

  14. Notting Hill Carnival celebrations so far - in pictures

    Let’s take a look at what happened at the Notting Hill Carnival over the weekend.

    As we said in our previous post, it’s expected a million people will descend on west Londonover the weekend.

    Adults Day is happening today – after yesterday’s Families and Children’s day. Check out the vibe below.

    Notting Hill Carnival attendee wearing green and blue outit - shorts with green fringe and blue and green feather on her head and arms above her head as others stand nearbyPA Media

    The carnival, which celebrates Caribbean arts and culture, has been running for more than 50 years

    Three people stood next to each other with steel drums, two of which on the left and middle say Mangrove, as part of the Members of Mangrove Steelband who performed during Notting Hill Carnival's Panorama eveningPA Media

    The party began with steel drums on Saturday evening.

    Two young girls in green tops, yellow tutus and wings made from black green and yellow feathers dancing alongside older girls dressed in white at Notting Hill Carnival, as one girl holds a Jamaican flag above her headPA Media

    Children joined in the Carnival parade for Families and Children's Day yesterday.

    Man wearing multi coloured suit with yellow bowties holding umbrella in front of a group of girls wearing multicoloured striped dresses, capes and elaborate headpieces in parade through Notting HillPA Media

    Music and dancing have been filling the streets of Notting Hill on Sunday

  15. Mum stabbed at Carnival was with her young child

    Thomas Mackintosh
    Live reporter

    A line of police officers with truncheons at Notting Hill carnival.

    A quick update from the Metropolitan Police who say a mother who attended Notting Hill Carnival on Sunday with her child narrowly avoided being killed after she was stabbed.

    The 32-year-old remains in a critical condition in hospital.

    Deputy Assistant Commissioner Ade Adelekan says carnival's family day has been "marred by unacceptable violence".

    Issuing an update earlier today, the Met says two men had also been stabbed at the west London street festival on Sunday.

    Read more here.

  16. Costumes at the ready! Notting Hill Carnival celebrates its 56th year

    Members of Urban Troup take part in the Notting Hill Carnival in London, Britain, 25 August 2024. Notting Hill is the largest street carnival in Europe and a community-led celebration of Caribbean history and culture, this year running from 25 to 26 August.EPA

    It's the late August bank holiday weekend, which can only mean one thing - Notting Hill Carnival is back!

    The festival, which celebrates Caribbean arts and culture, is one of the biggest and longest-running street parties in the world.

    And we'll be bringing you all the good stuff right here, just press watch live above.

    There's always plenty of dancing, singing and delicious bites to snack on. People spend months working on costumes and floats for the parade.

    Around two million people attend each year - and if you can't get down to west London, you can follow it all right here.