Notting Hill Carnival returns to west London this August Bank Holiday weekend for a very special 60th anniversary celebration. From steel pan and soca to reggae, calypso, sound systems and spectacular masquerade costumes, the 2026 Carnival promises three days of music, culture and community across Notting Hill and surrounding streets.
The official Carnival programme runs from Saturday 29 August to Monday 31 August 2026, with the main free street celebrations taking place on Sunday and Monday.
If you’re planning to attend, here’s everything you need to know about the Notting Hill Carnival 2026 line-up, events, tickets, schedule, parade and what to expect.
Notting Hill Carnival 2026: 60th anniversary
The 2026 Carnival is particularly significant because it marks 60 years of Notting Hill Carnival.
The event’s origins date back to 1966, when community organiser Rhaune Laslett organised a children’s street party in Notting Hill. It subsequently developed into the huge celebration of Caribbean culture seen today.
The anniversary gives this year’s event an additional sense of occasion, while the organisers are continuing to emphasise Carnival’s community-led roots.
When is Notting Hill Carnival 2026?
Notting Hill Carnival 2026 takes place from Saturday 29 August to Monday 31 August.
The weekend follows the usual Carnival format:
- Saturday 29 August: Panorama and the UK National Steel Band Competition
- Sunday 30 August: J’ouvert, Children’s Day Parade, sound systems and stages
- Monday 31 August: Main Parade, sound systems and stages
The official organisers describe 2026 as Carnival’s Diamond Jubilee, marking 60 years since the event began in 1966.
Is Notting Hill Carnival free?
Yes, the main street Carnival is free. You do not need a general admission ticket to attend the Sunday Children’s Day celebrations or Monday’s main Carnival.
You may need to pay for:
- Saturday’s Panorama
- Mas band participation
- Private Carnival parties
- Club nights and after-parties
- Some related events taking place elsewhere in London
Always check the organiser before buying a ticket, particularly because the main Carnival itself does not have a general entry ticket.
Notting Hill Carnival 2026 schedule
Saturday 29 August: Panorama
Saturday is the opening day of the official Carnival weekend and is dedicated to steel pan.
UK National Panorama, including Junior Panorama, will be performing on Saturday, with steel bands competing in one of the weekend’s major musical events.
Unlike the main street Carnival on Sunday and Monday, Saturday’s Panorama is a ticketed event.
Sunday 30 August: Children’s Day
Sunday is Families and Children’s Day – making it a great choice for anyone attending Carnival with younger children, or for anyone wanting a slightly quieter Carnival.
The day includes:
- J’ouvert
- Children’s Day Parade
- Children’s masquerade bands
- Sound systems
- Live stages
- Adults’ Dutty Mas
- Judging zones
The official programme lists Sunday as free to attend.
The Children’s Parade is one of the most colourful parts of the weekend, with young masqueraders taking to the streets in elaborate costumes accompanied by music and dancing.
Monday 31 August: Adults’ Day
Bank Holiday Monday remains the “main event”.
The Adults’ Day programme features the famous main parade, with masqueraders, steel bands, Brazilian bands, sound systems and live music taking over the streets.
Monday is also the day to see the largest collection of adult mas bands competing and celebrating along the Carnival route. The main Carnival itself remains free to attend.
Notting Hill Carnival 2026 line-up
One of the most important things to know about Notting Hill Carnival is that its “line-up” doesn’t work like a conventional music festival.
Instead of one main stage with a fixed list of headline artists, Carnival is built around mas bands, steel bands, Brazilian bands, sound systems, DJs, live stages and performers spread across the area.
The official 2026 bands have already been announced, with the mas band line-up including names such as Abir Mas, Arawak, Chocolate Nation Mas, Colours Carnival, D Riddim Tribe, Funatik Mas, Gemz Mas, Hype Mas, Island Mas, Jamaican Twist, Karnival Mania, Lagniappe, Mahogany Carnival Club, Mangrove Mas Band, Mas Africa, Masology, Monarch, Omnia Carnival, Reign Mas Band, Soca Massive Fancy Sailors UK, Tropical Fusion, Tropical Isles, UCOM Carnival, Urban Touch, Utopia Mas UK and Vibrance Mas.
There are also numerous children’s bands taking part on Sunday, including Arawak, Burrokeets, Caribbean Sessions, Carnival Revellers, Ebony Mas, Gemz Mas, Mahogany Carnival Club, Mangrove Mas Band, Mas Africa, Tropical Isles and Utopia Mas UK.
For the full official list, check the Notting Hill Carnival 2026 bands announcement.
Brazilian bands at Notting Hill Carnival 2026
Brazilian carnival culture also plays an important role in the weekend.
The official Brazilian bands for 2026 include:
- Baque de Axé
- Batala
- Dendê Nation
- Império da Rainha School of Samba
- Kinetika Bloco
- London School of Samba
- Tribo
Expect samba rhythms, huge percussion sections and energetic performances as these groups make their way through Carnival.
Steel bands at Notting Hill Carnival 2026
Steel pan is central to Carnival’s history and remains one of its defining sounds.
The official 2026 steel band line-up includes Glissando Steel Orchestra, Mangrove Steelband, Metronomes Steel Orchestra, Pan Nation Steel Orchestra, Panectar Steelband, Pantonic Steel Orchestra, Raspo Steel Orchestra, Real Steel, St Michael and All Angels Steel Orchestra, Stardust Steel Orchestra, Steel Pan in Motion, UFO Steelband and Ebony Steelband.
Does Notting Hill Carnival have music stages?
Yes, Notting Hill Carnival’s music programme is spread across its many sound systems and live stages, rather than being presented as a conventional festival bill.
The official Carnival programme features dedicated sections for Soca & Calypso, Sound Systems and Live Stages, alongside the mas, steel and Brazilian bands including:
- Soca
- Calypso
- Reggae
- Dancehall
- Dub
- Afrobeats
- House
- Jungle
- UK bass
Some of the best-known sound systems associated with Carnival include Channel One, Gladdy Wax, Rampage and others, although individual schedules and performers can change.
Do you need tickets for Notting Hill Carnival 2026?
For the main Carnival celebrations, no. The Sunday and Monday street celebrations are free to attend.
However, there are some exceptions. Panorama is a ticketed event to attend the steel band competition, for example. Watching the parade is free, but taking part in the parade as a masquerader requires joining one of the authorised bands and making sure you have the correct costume.
Carnival after-parties
There are also numerous private parties and club events taking place around London over Carnival weekend. These are separate from the free street Carnival and generally require their own tickets.
Tip: Be wary of unofficial websites selling “Notting Hill Carnival tickets”. There is no general admission ticket required for the main street event.
Where is Notting Hill Carnival?
Notting Hill Carnival takes place across west London, principally around the Notting Hill, Ladbroke Grove and Westbourne Park areas.
The parade route covers several miles of streets, while sound systems and other Carnival activity are distributed throughout the area.
The exact access arrangements and route information can change, so visitors should check the official information before travelling. The organisers have also announced a new Notting Hill Carnival app for 2026, which is expected to provide maps, band information, sound system information and live updates.
How to get to Notting Hill Carnival 2026
Public transport is by far the best way to reach Carnival. Stations around the area can become exceptionally busy, and road closures mean driving into the heart of Carnival is not recommended. Nearby stations traditionally include:
- Notting Hill Gate
- Westbourne Park
- Royal Oak
- Ladbroke Grove
However, station closures, exit-only arrangements and changes to Tube services are likely during the weekend, so check Transport for London before setting off. Be sure to check TFL’s website for announcements.
Notting Hill Carnival 2026 parade route
The main parade takes place on Monday 31 August, with the route approximately three and a half miles long, beginning around Westbourne Park and finishing around Elkstone Road.
The route can be extremely crowded, particularly around major viewing areas and sound systems. If you’re planning to watch the parade, give yourself plenty of time and avoid trying to cross the area unnecessarily once the crowds build.
