Notting Hill Carnival 2012
• The Notting Hill Carnival is on Sunday 26 and Monday 27 August • Read our guide to carnival safety and public transport • Watch our video of a mas band as they prepare for the mas parade
Five interesting Carnival facts
Here's five thing that you didn't know about Notting Hill Carnival...
A festival of London's diverse and multicultural past and present, the Notting Hill Carnival is a vivid spectacle of fantastic live music ranging from reggae to dub to salsa, soca floats, steel bands, uplifting beats, jerk chicken and fried plantain food stalls plus much more.
This August bank holiday don’t go anywhere without reading our comprehensive guide to Notting Hill Carnival, which includes a route map of the parade plus an invaluable Carnival information guide, giving you tips on having fun and staying safe.
Be sure to celebrate this year's Carnival in style with both out guide to Notting Hill Carnival warm-up and after-parties and our map of the Carnival's soundsystems.
Essential Notting Hill Carnival information
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Travel
Work out the best route to and from the Notting Hill Carnival.
See travel information -
Safety and security
Read our guide to avoiding risks while you party.
See safety and security information -
Family day
Take advantage of the smaller crowds and kid-friendly floats.
See family day information
Read urban music and clubbing features
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London's best venues for urban music
Enjoy hip hop, grime, R&B, bassline and more.
Read more -
The best music shops for reggae in London
Read our list of the best places to buy reggae music.
Read more -
Time Out's top reggae tracks
Listen to our selection of the best reggae tracks around.
Read more -
Like father, like son?
Time Out talks to two generations of the Letts and Jay clans.
Read more -
The new grime wave
Movie over Tinie Tempah. Alexi Duggins reveals why it's grime DJs' turn to shine.
Read more -
African club nights in London
Discover the best regular African clubs nights.
Read more
What is the Notting Hill Carnival?
The Notting Hill Carnival, Europe’s biggest street festival, is a celebration of Caribbean music, dance and masquerade, which takes place in west London. An annual event, the Notting Hill Carnival first began in 1964 as a way for Afro-Caribbean communities to celebrate their own culture and traditions.
Notting Hill Carnival date
Usually taking place over August bank holiday weekend, this year's Notting Hill Carnival is on Sunday August 26 and Monday August 27.
How to get to Notting Hill
Travel to the area will be heavily restricted over the weekend of the Notting Hill Carnival. For details on road and tube closures plus information on extended bus service, read our Notting Hill Carnival travel guide.
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