Notting Hill Carnival 2015 guide: Dates, map and highlights

Your essential guide to west London's biggest party
Carnival time: A reveller at a previous Notting Hill Carnival
Jochan Embley28 August 2015

At the end of August, around one million people will flood west London for the Notting Hill Carnival, Europe’s biggest street party.

It’s an explosion of sound and colour, celebrating cultural diversity and all of its wonderful by-products.

To prepare you, here is our essential Carnival guide.

The weekend (Aug 29-31)

Though things officially kick off on the Sunday (August 30), there are still events planned for the Saturday (August 29) to get you into the carnival spirit. A free open air event, Panaroma, will host competitive performances by steel bands from across the country while the Association of British Calypsonians is putting on its London Calypso Tent, bringing together storytelling, poetry, political commentary and more.

The Sunday Parade is usually the quieter of the two, and doubles up as Family Day. The Children’s Parade is always a colourful affair, with costume prizes and family events also set to take place. The World Music Stage in Powis Square will deliver a vibrant collection of Caribbean music.

On Monday (August 31), it’s the big one: The Grand Finale. Around 60 bands and sounds systems will provide the rhythms as the brightly-dressed carnival-goers parade around the area.

The parades begin at about 10am and start to wind down at around 6.30pm – there is a noise curfew that comes into effect from 7pm. The procession will start on Great Western Road in the east, before moving south onto Chepstow Road, across on Westbourne Grove and up to Ladbroke Grove.

Blue marker = Sound system
Yellow marker = Pub/bar
Blue line = Carnival route
Green tent = Lost and found
Black line = Traffic exclusion zone

(Map put together by thelondonnottinghillcarnival.com)

Getting there

There will be extensive road closures in the Notting Hill and Ladbroke Grove areas, with a traffic exclusion zone in place (above). Additional buses will be serving the area, although they won’t be able to enter the traffic exclusion zone either.

A number of local Tube stations will also be affected, with many being exit only or closed altogether.

A more detailed rundown of station closures and service alterations will be available closer to the time from Transport for London, so keep an eye on their website for any updates.

Regardless of how you choose to get there, it will be extremely busy, so be sure to arrive early to avoid the bulk of the crowds.

The music

Aside from the bands and mobile sound systems which will make their way round the Carnival with the parade, there will be 38 stationary sound systems dotted around the area, blasting out all sorts of music – soca, calypso, Latin and more.

The food

Food stalls can be found all over the Carnival area, serving a wide variety of dishes. The usual suspects - jerk chicken, curry goat and the like - will make an appearance, but you'll also be able to chomp on BBQ ribs and other cuisines from around the world.

Staying safe and getting by

For such a large event, the crime rate is generally low at the Carnival and there are police officers stationed all over the site. Nonetheless, be sure to keep all your money and valuables close to you and safely secured.

Cash machines often run out long before the day is up, so take ample amount of cash with you to avoid running dry.

Phone signal is notoriously poor during the Carnival and this, coupled with the massive crowds, can make meeting up with someone or finding lost friends a nightmare. It is a good idea – for both families and those without children – to decide upon a prearranged meeting spot.

Wear sensible shoes – you’re likely to be on your feet for a long time and there is sure to be a lot of stuff on the ground you wouldn’t want to come into contact with your bare feet.

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