The Notting Hill Carnival will return to the streets of London over the August Bank Holiday.

The carnival, which celebrates the Caribbean culture and traditions, will have nearly 40 sound systems, its famous parade and dozens of delicious food stalls.

So if you're planning on attending this year, here's all the details you need for a great carnival.

When is Notting Hill Carnival?

A young girl joins in the celebrations

The carnival takes place on Sunday (August 27) until Monday, August 28.

The floats and bands set off at 9am on both Sunday and Monday mornings, running roughly until 8pm both days.

Where is Notting Hill Carnival?

Notting Hill Carnival map
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The carnival celebrations take over the streets of W11, West London.

Saturday

The Notting Hill Carnival, which has taken place annually since 1964, is expected to attract more than a million people

The event kicks off on Saturday night with Panorama - a free open air performance by national steel bands and other entertainment.

It's at Emslie Horniman Pleasance Park, Bosworth Road, W10 from 6pm to 10pm and is free to watch.

Sunday

Costumed performers take to the streets

Sunday is seen as the family day, with a jubilant children parade, 38 mobile sound systems and steel bands.

Events run from 9am to 8.30pm.

Bank Holiday Monday

Monday is the grand finale, with 60 bands in magnificent costumes, 38 mobile sound systems and steel bands.

Events on Monday run from 9am to 8.30pm.

Weather forecast

There will be plenty of dry weather with warm sunshine this weekend, with highs of 24 degrees.

An isolated heavy shower is possible on Sunday, so pack a raincoat just in case.

The generally fine, warm weather should hold through Bank Holiday Monday.

How can I get to Notting Hill Carnival?

    Get into the festival spirit

    For those outside London, your best bet is to travel to Paddington Station. Book train tickets here .

    If travelling by coach, go to London Victoria station .

    Tube

    The nearest tube stations are Notting Hill Gate, Holland Park and Ladbroke Grove.

    Changes to services include:

    • Ladbroke Grove : Closed on Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday.
    • Latimer Road : closed after 11.30pm on Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday.
    • Notting Hill Gate : The station will be exit-only between 11am to 7pm on Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday. The Circle/District lines will not stop.
    • Westbourne Park : Exit-only between 11am to 6pm and closed at 11.30pm on Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday.
    • Royal Oak : Exit-only after 11am and closed at 6pm on Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday.

    The nearest London Overground stations to the Carnival area are Willesden Junction, Kensal Rise, Kensal Green, Queen’s Park and Shepherd’s Bush.

    Buses

    Over the weekend, buses around Notting Hill and North Kensington will be on diversion or will terminate earlier than usual to avoid the road closures.

    During these times, buses will start from the Prince of Wales on Harrow Road to the north of the carnival area.

    To the south of the carnival area, buses will start from Notting Hill Gate.

    For up to date information on Tube, DLR and London Overground services follow TfLTravelAlerts .

    Road closures

    The following road closures will be in place from 2am to 5am on Sunday:

    • Westbourne Park Road (between Great Western Road and Ladbroke Grove).
    • Elgin Crescent.
    • Kensington Park Road (between Westbourne Grove and Elgin Crescent).
    • Cambridge Gardens (between St Marks Road and Ladbroke Grove).
    • Lane restrictions on Great Western Road.

    Sunday 7am to midnight and Monday 7am to Tuesday August 29 5am

    The road closure boundaries are:

    • Harrow Road in the north.
    • Notting Hill Gate in the south.
    • Clarendon Road in the west.
    • Queensway in the east.

    Traffic is likely to be slow moving in the area, including the A5 (Edgware Road), Harrow Road, Holland Park Avenue, Notting Hill Gate and Bayswater Road so drivers are urged to avoid the area, or allow more time for their journeys.

    Do I have to pay for Notting Hill Carnival?

    A dog does his best to get into the carnival spirit

    No, it's a street festival, so all of the entertainment is entirely free.

    What to wear

    Notting Hill Carnival is going Green for Grenfell

    At carnival anything goes, think bright, feathers and whistles. Shoes you can dance in all day, and something to keep the rain off.

    This year members of the North Kensington community are encouraging all attendees to this year’s event to come as green as they can to show solidarity with all those affected by the Grenfell Tower fire.

    How is Notting Hill remembering Grenfell this Carnival?

    Members of the North Kensington community are encouraging all attendees to this year’s event to come as green as they can.

    It has also been announced that Lancaster West Estate, which Grenfell Tower was a part of, will be closed to the general public to ensure the immediate area is untouched by the event.

    A quiet zone will also be set up at the junction of Ladbroke Grove and Lancaster Road, to allow for reflection and remembrance of those who died and have been affected by the tragedy.

    There will also be a minute silence on Bank Holiday Monday at 3pm in memory of the victims.

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