NOTTING HILL CARNIVAL

How Notting Hill Carnival Came About


Notting Hill Carnival is the largest street festival in Europe and originated in 1964 as a way for Afro-Caribbean communities to celebrate their own cultures and traditions. Taking place every August Bank Holiday weekend in the streets of London. The Notting Hill Carnival is an amazing array of sounds, colourful sights and social solidarity.The carnival dates back to the Abolition of Slavery Act in 1833 and the first Caribbean carnival which was held in Trinidad. The carnival was a celebration of freedom which was expressed through song, dance and flamboyant costumes. This tradition continued as each year people took to the streets and as large numbers of West Indian immigrants traveled to the UK in the 1950s, this spectacular event established itself in London.







Evolution of the Notting Hill Carnival in London

The first carnival in London took place in 1959 and was held in a town hall in St. Pancras and the tradition of staging the carnival in town halls continued until it moved to Notting Hill in 1964. The event generally grew in stature as word about the Notting Hill Carnival spread and more London residents of all cultural backgrounds joined the celebration.







Essence of the Notting Hill Carnival

The Notting Hill Carnival retains its Caribbean influences which are evident in the flamboyant and colourful costumes and the melodic calypso and soca music playing throughout the weekend. However, historically the Notting Hill Carnival has always highlighted the fact that the event is best loved for promoting tolerance among communities and this year the Notting Hill Carnival is embracing the message of Aspiring and Achieving In Unity.






Unique Musical Mix

In keeping with Notting Hill Carnival history, this year the event promises to repeat its own unique blend of music from West African drumming and steel bands to hip hop, salsa and house music, pageantry including costumed masquerade bands and floats, not forgetting live music stages and numerous sound systems guaranteeing the party atmosphere of the Notting Hill Carnival is alive and well throughout the streets of Notting Hill.




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