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[title]Summer is officially here, and its endless heatwaves have got us excited about sweating it out on the streets of west London with Red Stripe pulsing through our veins, because Notting Hill Carnival is just around the corner.
As you gear up for one of the capital’s most fun weekends of the year, it’s understandable if you might want to do a little more prep than simply stocking up on drinks and paint powder.
Carnival is an incredible knees-up, but with all its sounds, sights and crowds, it can get a little overwhelming. An estimated 2.5 million punters head to west London for the celebration, so it’s totally normal that you might get turned around, lost or just need a handy reminder of where you're going after several rounds of Wray & Ting.
Never fear! We’ve got a handy map for you below, soundsystems and all, to help you navigate your way around the famous west London parade. Check it out.
What is the schedule for Notting Hill Carnival 2026?
Notting Hill Carnival 2026 starts on Sunday, August 30 and continues on Bank Holiday Monday, August 31.
What is the Notting Hill Carnival 2026 parade route?
NHC likes to keep attendees on their toes and is famous for releasing all the details, including stage headliners, at the last minute. Now, 2026's map is out so you can get your weekend plans sorted.
Sunday is the day of the children’s parade and the adult’s parade takes place on Monday. Both parades follow the same route, starting at Westbourne Park station on Great Western Road, before travelling along Westbourne Park Road and Chepstow Road. From there the parade sweeps onto Westbourne Grove, makes its way to Ladbroke Grove, taking in Kensal Road and Golborne Road before finally wrapping up on Elkstone Road.
An interactive version of the Notting Hill Carnival Route Map below is available on the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea website here.
What time does the Notting Hill Carnival parade start?
If you want to catch the very start of the parade at Carnival, you’ll need to get down to Notting Hill in the morning. On both days, the parade starts around 10am. For early birds heading to J’ouvert, the paint-splashing celebration starts at 6am on Sunday.
RECOMMENDED: Read our full Notting Hill Carnival guide.