Notting Hill Carnival 2026

Sunday 30th August 2026 J'ouvert 06.00 - 09.00 Starting at Sainsbury's, by Canal Way Roundabout Official Opening Ceremony 10.00-10.30 MAS Judging Point, Great Western Road Traditionally Carnival is opened by local residents and participants, accompanied by the organisers and friends of Carnival.

NEW FOR 2025 - The Judging Zone Grandstand is now open to the public and this is place to be to see the bands at the absolute very best - tickets are available from TICKETSOURCE.CO.UK

Children’s Day Parade Parade Route This year we will return the Sunday to the children, encouraging increased participation with a range of family-friendly activities and events, with the main event being children’s mas. It’s an undeniable joy to see the next generation carrying the Carnival baton – dancing in the streets wearing their carefully crafted costumes.

Dutty/Fun Mas Parade Route Get down and ‘dutty’. Just like J’Ouvert, this mas is for those that enjoy the mayhem. As a spectator you can expect to be splashed with brightly coloured paints and powder or even melted ‘chocolate’. It’s pure revelry, and you can’t deny the infectious hyped energy of the party-hard participants, ‘chipping’ and ‘wining’ recklessly to the bass-heavy sound of the ‘mile-high’ mobile speakerboxes.

Sound Systems 12.00-19.00 If you love to dance in the street but don’t want to be ‘on di road’ then Sound Systems are where it’s at. Sound systems are a well established and integral part of Notting Hill Carnival specifically. Notting Hill Carnival’s Sound System tradition is rooted in Jamaican culture and Reggae music, at today’s Carnival you can hear everything from Rare Groove to House to Samba.

Live Stages (TBC) 12.00-19.00 Emslie Horniman’s Pleasance Park, W10 5DH Powis Square Stage - Produced by Alvaro Barrington 12.00-19.00 - Powis Square, W11 2AY Moment Of Reflection At 3pm on both Sunday and Monday, a 72 second slience will be held to remember the 72 lives tragically lost in the Grenfell Tower fire. This moment of reflection will also honour those who's lives were recently cut short at Notting Hill Carnival, Kelso Cochrane whose racially motivated murder in 1959 became one of the catalysts for Notting Hill Carnival and we also give thanks to the pioneers who laid the events foundation.

Monday 31st August 2026 Adult's Parade 10.30 - Parade Route This is the carnival climax. It’s the last lap for another year and you can really feel the intensity of the party vibes. It’s what the MAS Bands have been preparing for all year: it’s showtime! Time to free up and just revel in the joy that is carnival!

If you haven’t bought a band costume feel free to wear your own (you won’t be alone), grab a whistle or a horn find a good position on the parade route (we recommend you arrive early) and jump up and dance as the floats pass you by.

NEW FOR 2025 - The Judging Zone Grandstand is now open to the public and this is place to be to see the bands at the absolute very best - tickets are available from TICKETSOURCE.CO.UK

Sound Systems 12:00-19:00 If you love to dance in the street but dont want to be‘on di road’ then Sound Systems are where its at. Sound Systems are a well established and integral part of Notting Hill Carnival specifically.

Notting Hill Carnivals Sound System tradition is rooted in Jamaican culture and reggae music, at todays carnival you can hear everything from rare groove to house to samba.

Live Stages (TBC)12:00-19:00 Emslie Horniman’s Pleasance Powis Square Stage - Produced by Alvaro Barrington 12:00-19:00 - Powis Square, W11 2AY Moment Of Reflection At 3pm on both Sunday and Monday, a 72 second slience will be held to remember the 72 lives tragically lost in the Grenfell Tower fire. This moment of reflection will also honour those who's lives were recently cut short at Notting Hill Carnival, Kelso Cochrane whose racially motivated murder in 1959 became one of the catalysts for Notting Hill Carnival and we also give thanks to the pioneers who laid the events foundation.