Carnival of colour and music is back…
Europe’s largest street event, Notting Hill Carnival, will be returning to the road for the first time since 2019.
The UK’s largest and most important celebration of culture, diversity and inclusivity will once again be full with vibrant colours, incredible music, dancing and delicious food during the August Bank Holiday weekend.
As is tradition, Carnival will start before sunrise with J’Ouvert on Sunday, August 28, followed by the children’s parade which begins at 10.30am immediately after the opening ceremony.
This year will see a group of participants from the Emancipated Run Crew wearing green lead the parade and will complete the route in their own time in honour of those who died in the Grenfell Tower tragedy five years ago and Monday, August 29 will be the traditional parade starting from noon.
Panorama, the UK’s biggest Steel Pan Competition takes place on the evening that precedes Carnival – August 27, at Emslie Horniman Pleasance Park.
Matthew Phillip, CEO of Notting Hill Carnival Ltd said: “Along with all of the community, we couldn’t be more delighted to be announcing that Notting Hill Carnival is back on the streets where it belongs.
“The past two years have been incredibly challenging for everyone but through the work we have all been doing keeping the spirit of Carnival online and through workshops and more, we have seen our community thrive.
“I’ve seen these wonderful groups of people, brought together because of Notting Hill Carnival, help and support each other.
That is an incredible thing.
“In returning to the streets we can once again celebrate the culture, diversity and inclusivity that makes this event so amazing – we can’t wait to hear and see everything that is unique about Notting Hill Carnival, back where it belongs.”
Despite a two-year absence from the road, the hunger to participate in Carnival has not diminished.
Mas Bands and Static Sound System numbers are actually increasing for 2022 and carnivalists can enjoy 38 booming sound systems playing everything from house to calypso and 84 Mas Bands full of celebratory colour and vibrancy.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “Over the August bank holiday weekend, there will be something for everyone with fantastic music, food and amazing, colourful parades lining the streets. Notting Hill Carnival showcases the spirit and soul of our city and the values we all hold so dear and reminds us that our city’s greatest strength is in our diversity, vibrancy and energy.”
This year, for the first time ever, a fully electric eco truck made possible by long-term partner Spotify, will be joining the parade.
Developed in collaboration with Carnival Village Trust, this new innovation is the first step in not only reducing the carbon footprint of Notting Hill Carnival but also in bettering audio quality and reducing noise pollution on the road.
Scenes from a previous Carnival Pictures: Niall Green Second Screens