Notting Hill Carnival 2025: Date, schedule and nearest tube stations
Europe’s largest celebration of Caribbean culture returns to London over the August Bank Holiday weekend.
Every summer, London’s streets come alive with colour, music, and unmissable energy, but no event captures the city’s cultural heartbeat quite like Notting Hill Carnival.
Taking place over the August Bank Holiday weekend (23–25 August 2025), this world-famous celebration of Caribbean heritage is set to return bigger and bolder than ever.
The festivities begin on Saturday 23 August with the Panorama Steelband Competition, a joyful, high-energy evening of live steelpan performances in Emslie Horniman’s Pleasance Park. This is the only ticketed event of the weekend, and a must-see for music lovers.
Sunday 24 August is Family Day, often considered the Carnival’s more relaxed side. Expect colourful children’s parades, Caribbean food stalls, and sound systems echoing through every corner of Notting Hill.
Then on Monday 25 August, the main event takes over: the Adults’ Parade.
Masqueraders in elaborate costumes dance their way through the streets to the rhythms of soca, dancehall, and calypso, backed by the thunder of live bands and DJs.
Getting there? Public transport is your best option. Notting Hill Gate, Westbourne Park, and Ladbroke Grove stations will be open but may operate as exit-only during peak times. Buses will be on diversion throughout the weekend.
Road closures begin early Sunday morning and last until Tuesday, with parking restrictions in place from late Saturday.