The annual Notting Hill Carnival is coming up very soon, and many of you will be getting ready to head to the two-day festival in west London.
Around one million people attend the carnival of Caribbean culture annually, with the event getting bigger and better every year.
This year the carnival will take place over Sunday August 28 and Monday August 29, the August Bank Holiday. The Sunday will be a family day, where the Monday will be the main attraction for adults.
Here are getwestlondon 's highlights of the festival, that you must make sure to go and see!
Notting Hill Carnival
Will set off in
Rampage
After one year away, Rampage, the largest static sound system at Notting Hill Carnival, with over 15,000 people at any one time, will return to celebrate Caribbean culture, tradition and influence in the UK.
The Rampage stage is known as the best stage at the Carnival. Located just off All Saints Road, it's home - for two days - to the award-winning Rampage Sound System who have delivered shows in the past from the likes of Dizzee Rascal, Mark Ronson, Ms Dynamite, Tinie Tempah and more.
Rampage have done gigs as far afield as Kenya, Hungary, Dubai, Miami and Atlanta, so don't miss your chance to see them at Notting Hill Carnival.
Where to find them: Colville Square, Ladbroke Grove , W11 2BQ
When they're on: Sunday August 28 and Monday August 29, 12pm to 7pm daily
King SSP Sound System
The King SSP Sound system will feature BBC Radio 1 and 1Xtra DJ, Toddla T with reggae and soca sounds.
The sound system has previously proven a firm favourite with carnival goers thanks to the brilliant artists who have featured, including Sean Paul, Lady Leshurr, Jammer, Redlight, Gyptian, Levels, Semtex, Cadenza, Mella Dee and DRS.
King SSP Sound also hit Glastonbury this year with an impressive line-up that featured Charlie Sloth, Section Boyz, Lady Leshurr, Protoje, The Heatwave, Fekky, J Hus, DRS, Mele and Nadia Rose.
Where to find them: Kensal Road and Aldertson Street, Ladbroke Grove , W10 5BN
The London School of Samba
The London School of Samba is an authentic slice of Brazilian Carnival in London.
They are one of the biggest costumed parade groups at the Notting Hill Carnival, with over 150 people, 60 samba drummers, three floats and 10 themed costume sections.
Their 2016 carnival theme, "Somewhere Under The Rainbow", will bring together people, cultures and mythology from all across the world to unite them in one enormous colour-coordinated human rainbow!
Where to find them: Just follow the parade route!
When they'll be on: Monday August 29, from 9am
After-Party at The Defectors Weld
If you want to stay west after the Carnival, The Defectors Weld in Shepherd's Bush is throwing an after-party with Wreck It Up Crew.
Special guest DJs and MCs join the crew, with DJs spinning vinyl whilst the MCs do their thing on-stage. Expect Reggae, Ska, Dancehall, Lovers Rock, Rocksteady, Dub, Funk, and more.
When: Sunday August 28, no admission after midnight
Cost: Free entry
The Defectors Weld, 170 Uxbridge Road, Shepherd's Bush , W12 8AA - 020 8749 0008
Carnival Boat Party
Why not try something really different after the Notting Hill Carnival this year, and head to a boat party along the River Thames?
Boasting two floors of music, four secret DJs, and stunning views of London along the Thames, Pier Pressure is one of the places to be after the bank holiday festival.
Where: Departing from Tower Millennium Pier
When: Sunday August 28, 7pm
Cost: General tickets cost £25
Visit: The Pier Pressure website
Gin and Juice
Gin and Juice come to Notting Hill Arts Club for a one-off Carnival after-party.
Expect to hear the likes of Jay-Z, Gang Starr, Jurassic 5, Aaliyah, J-Dilla, Biggie Smalls, Wu-Tang Clan, Tupac, Kanye West, P Diddy, Snoop Dogg, KRS One, NERD, Dr Dre, Eminem, Lauren Hill, Busta Rhymes, Sugar Hill Gang, Missy Elliot, Run DMC and many more.
Where: Notting Hill Arts Club, 21 Notting Hill Gate, Notting Hill , W11 3JQ
When: Sunday August 28, 9pm
Cost: Tickets cost £12.50
ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT NOTTING HILL CARNIVAL
For details of what's going on and when during the Carnival, check out our guide .
