Notting Hill Carnival

I went to Notting Hill Carnival this year on Sunday 30th August - apparently that's kids day and today (Monday 31st) is the main day, but I can't say I saw that many kids about, but perhaps they were where the floats were rather than in the streets where we were which seemed to be more about the sound systems. I've been a number of times before. When I was young my dad used to take us and we'd watch the floats go by with people in their dramatic costumes. The two times I've been as an adult were a few years ago when I went with my boyfriend but we didn't really know where we were going and just ended up stuck in crowds not really knowing why we were there or what we ...  Read the complete review

Notting Hill is my favourite part of London. Its like a little village far away from the hustle and bustle of the big city. Of course its just a stones throw from central London but if I had to choose anywhere to live in the city this is where it would be. The carnival is Notting Hills showpiece and takes place every August. This year it is the 30th and 31st August (Sunday and Monday). If you're planning on staying in Notting Hill during these dates I would start looking for hotels now as many will be booked up. The parades are well worth watching and cover a wide range of diverse people. The music is very loud so its best to warn young children ...  Read the complete review

I am a 3rd generation Notting Hillbilly on my fathers side. Although I have ventured to other parts of London ,here I am again, wondering why the hell I came back! I enjoyed many a carnival as a child, when on a smaller scale and, the Sunday (dubbed the kids day) really was for kids. I even took part in the procession twice, once as a butterfly and once a tennis player complete with racket and rah-rah skirt which I wore with pride until summer was over. The costumes were and still are spectacular, as are the steel bands that practice all year to give us Caribbean renditions of well known pop, rock and r n b tunes, these are now fewer since floats blasting base ...  Read the complete review

The once amazing festival is not plagued with violent and terrifying scenes shot during the August 2000 carnival. There was an 84% increase in arrests at the event compared to 1999, something that needs to be taken into account when attending. Putting that aside Notting Hill is the place to be with Caribbean music rocking the participants, brilliant food and costumes make this event a once a year chance to let your hair down and get down with the "brothers" of Notting Hill! Transport does tend to grind to a holt coming up to the time of the event so you're best booking some time off work previous and heading down a few days early. ...  Read the complete review

I have to say that I have been disappointed after being to Notting Hill Carnival a couple of times. There's not much to do and see, apart from getting absolutely wasted by drinking alcohol or wandering around in these huge crowds... and eventually get your handbag stole if you are lucky! I guess you can do that anywhere in London anyway. I mean, just going to the Oxford Street is rather similar if you miss crowds and well, what comes to the drinking part, you can do it anywhere!! r I am not obviously too keen on listening R'n B stuff, that might have something to do with my dislike for N H Carnival. tah ...  Read the complete review