Summary

  • Notting Hill Carnival, London's annual celebration of Caribbean culture, is in full swing - watch live above

  • The drummers are pounding, flags are fluttering in the breeze and the dancers are shaking their way along the route, BBC's Harry Low reports

  • A 72-second-silence was held to remember those killed in the Grenfell Tower fire, close to where the Carnival is being held

  • The three-day festival attracts more than two million people to see the fabulous floats, colourful outfits and joyful dancing

  • Donning a spectacular outfit? Got your dancing shoes on? Let us know how you're celebrating via email or WhatsApp on +4477 5616 5803

Live Reporting

Edited by Rachel Flynn

  1. Our live coverage is ending but the party goes on

    Harry Low
    BBC London News

    Carnival revellers dance to the music during the Notting Hill CarnivalEPA/Shutterstock

    Our live stream is ending here as the parade winds down, but Europe's largest street party is far from over.

    Amidst the bejewelled dancers and the booming sound systems, this celebration will carry on long into the afternoon and beyond.

    The numbers attending have swelled, no doubt aided by the west London sunshine which has seen temperatures reach 26C.

    For anyone here today, the sound of whistles, horns and steel drums along with the smell of barbecue may well remain with them for some time to come.

    Check out our main article for more about the carnival - and for some colourful images from the day.

  2. 'Watching out for my daughter in a steelpan band'

    We’ve loved hearing how you’re watching the parade, and in many cases who you’re looking out for.

    Andrea Newell in West Norwood, London says: "Watching out for my daughter Rae-Ann who is with the Mangrove steelpan band. Rae-Ann was part of the winning Panorama band that won on Saturday night. The atmosphere is amazing - lots of colour and music."

    Rio in Milton Keynes says: "I'm watching the live stream from home and would love to see the United Borders children’s charity bus which is part of a float. It's a big black London double decker converted into a music studio. I just love the charity - they support young people and their families in and around London with various mentorship programmes."

    Mama Kidd says: "Watching the live stream and actually wishing I was there. I haven’t been in over 30 years but as it will be 60 years next year, I’m going to make sure I'm there!"

  3. 'Carnival is in my DNA,' performer and organiser says

    Kethaki Masilamani
    Reporting from Notting Hill

    A woman smiles wearing blue multicoloured wings and a jewelled outfit

    Pan Diva is a performer and part of the Notting Hill Carnival advisory council.

    She's been so busy this Carnival that she made the finishing touches to her own outfit this morning - not that you can tell.

    Pan is keeping an eye out for her daughter, who is performing at today's parade with the Flagz Mas Band.

    It’s a family affair - yesterday she was at the parade with her grandchildren, who were playing their first and second Carnivals. Pan's auntie was one of the first Carnival queens, she tells us.

    "It's really important to pass the baton, if we want there to be longevity to the culture aspect of it," Pan says.

    "I feel like I was born in it... it's in my DNA," she adds.

  4. Carnival pauses for 72-second silence for victims of Grenfell Tower fire

    A few minutes ago, thousands at Notting Hill Carnival remembered those who were killed in the Grenfell Tower fire with a 72-second silence.

    Trucks turned off their music and dancers came to a halt.

    Less than a mile away from where today's parade is taking place, 72 people died in June 2017 after a fire broke out and spread in Grenfell Tower in North Kensington, west London.

  5. 'Memories of the Carribean!': Carnival from the comfort of your sofa

    A TV screen which shows the Notting Hill Carnival live stream on the screen

    Some of you have been getting in touch through Whatsapp to tell us about your experience watching the parade.

    Harmyni from Harrow says: "The Carnival looks amazing - The people dressed up look so happy and and I love how the Caribbean culture is being expressed in so many different ways!!!"

    David says: "That is an amazing Pan Band - I am loving it guys! Memories of the Caribbean !!"

    Jackie and Andy are watching from Burnley, Lancashire, and say they're "rooting for Flagz Mas Band".

    Rudy says: "Enjoying the live stream and hoping to see both my daughters, Chels and Livi, who are part of the UCOM float. Wave your flag! (Jamaican flag)"

    I love how the Caribbean culture is being expressed in so many different ways!

    Harmyni from Harrow

  6. Vibrant outfits stealing the show

    With Carnival in full swing, here's a selection of the colourful outfits that have caught our eye so far.

    Want to show off your costume? Get in touch with us via email or WhatsApp on +4477 5616 5803.

    Two women in red, orange and yellow carnival outfits. Looking at each other and smiling.Getty Images
    Man in vibrant red outfit, behind him large red plumes of fabric.Getty Images
    A woman in a yellow, blue and orange outfit dancing at Notting Hill Carnival.Getty Images

  7. Carnival drummer: 'It's going to be a big party'

    Harry Low
    Reporting from Notting Hill

    A man holds the Suriname flag while posing with his thumbs up

    Derillio Alexander has travelled all the way from Amsterdam to perform with his marching band Eternity Percussion.

    The band will perform alongside London-based Ebony Steel Band, one of the UK's earliest steel bands.

    “It's going to be a big party," he says. “We're going to bust the place."

    “I’m very excited, it's always a pleasure to be here and we're going to do our thing," Derillio tells me.

  8. Vibes are high at the Adults Day parade

    Kethaki Masilamani
    Reporting from Notting Hill

    A side view of dancers walking through the parade

    Mas bands are putting on a show for revellers and judges alike, and vibes are at an all time high.

    London at its most vibrant.

    A group of women smile at the camera as they dance as part of the parade

  9. 'Something you have never dreamed of,' one Carnival-goer says

    Harry Low
    Reporting from Notting Hill

    Jeff Sams smiling at the camera in front of empty seats

    Before celebrations were fully under way this morning, I spoke to Carnival-goer Jeff Sams, who told me "it's going to be a fantastic day".

    “It’s something you have never dreamed in your life existed as far as the masquerades are concerned," he said, adding: “It's going to be thousands and thousands of people in bands from all over the world.”

    "You would be fantastically pleased that this could exist in modern society with all the aggression that's going on in the world today," Jeff told me.

    “This is how it's supposed to be in real life. Enjoy yourself ladies and gentlemen!”

  10. Feathers, heels and drums - Carnival captured this morning

    The streets of West London are filled with costumes and colour, just a few hours in to Adults Day - which kicked off at 10:30 BST.

    One of the parade participants poses in a Green outfit with green wingsReuters
    Revellers play drums as they take part in the Notting Hill Carnival in London,Reuters
    Women in green outfits and head dresses pose in a line, with a woman in red in the middle with a red headdressReuters

  11. Watch the Carnival parade live at the top of the page

    The Notting Hill Carnival parade is shimmying through west London, and you can join the party.

    Just click watch live at the top of this page for the sounds and scenes of the carnival's Adults Day.

  12. Sunglasses are a must as sequins shimmer across the parade

    Harry Low
    Reporting from Notting Hill

    The parade is now in full swing as it turns the corner onto Westbourne Park Road, with colourful outfits and plumage on display.

    The drummers are pounding, flags are fluttering in the breeze and the dancers are shaking their way along the route as the crowds start to swell in W2.

    You need sunglasses at the ready, as the performers' sequins shimmer in the sunshine.

    Revelers wearing red, white and black outfits bang the drums on the parade, wearing sunglassesReuters

  13. What is Notting Hill Carnival?

    Four female dancers in purple bejewelled dancewear and pink and purple feathered carnival plumes dance on the street outside a tube stationReuters

    Now in its 57th year, Notting Hill Carnival is the largest street party in Europe. It takes place around the Notting Hill area of west London over the August bank holiday weekend.

    More than two million people attend the three-mile (5km) procession each year - with a children’s day parade usually taking place on Sunday, followed by an adult’s parade on Monday.

    The free-to-attend event, which is a celebration of Caribbean culture, showcases the best of masquerade dancing, soca, calypso, steel bands and sound systems.

  14. Next stop, Notting Hill Carnival

    If you were on the London Underground this morning, you may have got a slight taste of what Notting Hill Carnival has in store.

    Among the commuters, laptops and travel mugs - a glimpse of carnival joy.

    A carnival participant travels on the tube in full Carnival attireEPA/Shutterstock
    A woman in a green outfit with large glittery wings and feathers walking through a Tube barrier.PA Media
    A carnival participant walking towards tube door in full carnival attireEPA/Shutterstock

  15. A festival steeped in history

    Performers wearing black t-shirts with gold design dancing on Ladbroke Grove during Notting Hill Carnival, London, 1992Getty Images

    In the 1990s, Carnival attracted performances from hip-hop legends including Jay Z and Busta Rhymes

    Notting Hill Carnival has its roots in the ‘Caribbean Carnival’, an event initially held in St Pancras town hall in 1959 following a spate of racially motivated attacks on the West Indian residents of Notting Hill.

    The intention of the first carnival's creator, Trinidadian human rights activist Claudia Jones, was to unify the community - and the event was broadcasted on the BBC.

    The first outdoor version of the festival took place on the streets of Notting Hill in 1966, and over the past five decades it has transformed into Europe’s largest street party.

    By the 1990s, it had attracted performances from the likes of hip-hop artists including Jay Z, Lil’ Kim and Busta Rhymes, while in recent years performers have included Stormzy, Giggs, Major Lazer and Stefflon Don.

  16. 'People young and old together having fun': Catch up on Sunday at Carnival

    The streets of west London were filled with colour and sound for Notting Hill Carnival on Sunday.

    Musicians and dancers in bright costumes took to the tarmac for the children's parade, as the largest street party in Europe got under way.

    Carnival-goers of all ages tell the BBC what they love about the celebrations:

    Families and children's day kicks off Notting Hill Carnival

  17. Key timings for Adults Day

    A large Brazilian drumming band - wearing matching white, red and black t-shirts and trousers - passes through the streets in Westbourne Park during the adult's parade in 2024PA Media

    While Carnival-goers are filling the streets of west London, here's a look at what is happening at the festival's Adults Day:

    10:30 BST: Adults Day Parade kicks off as performers, dancers, musicians and floats make their way through Notting Hill, it will wrap up by around 20:30.

    12:00: Sound systems - featuring everything from rare groove to samba - will bring the music to the festivities, and they'll be playing out until 19:00.

    12:00: Live stages will showcase plenty of talent, as Emslie Horniman’s Pleasance and Powis Square Stage will host events throughout the day.

    15:00: There will be a moment for reflection when a 72-second silence will be held to remember the 72 people who were killed in the Grenfell Tower fire, close to where the Carnival is held.

  18. Carnival brings joyous celebration to streets of London

    Matt Spivey
    Live page editor

    A group of people dancing in front of a stage that is branded with Wray and Nephew's logo.Getty Images

    Crowds gathered to party in Notting Hill yesterday, and there'll be more festivities today

    Good morning from the London newsroom. It's Adults Day at Notting Hill Carnival which means the streets of west London will soon be filled with music, dancing and vibrant costumes.

    The festival is a joyous celebration of Caribbean arts and culture. It attracts up to two million people each year - making it the largest street party in Europe.

    Sunday's children's parade was awash with brightly coloured costumes - jewels, glittery wings, belts and headdresses were on full display.

    But today is just for adults. A parade full of fabulous floats and performers will mark the start of Monday's festivities at 10:30 BST. There will also be a 72-second silence at 15:00 to remember those who died in the Grenfell Tower fire.

    You'll be able to follow along, wherever you are, by clicking Watch live at the top of this page from 12:00.