Notting Hill Carnival 2016: Dates, times, map, route, weather forecast, Tube stations – everything you need to know
More than a million expected at annual celebration of music and multi-culturalism
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Your support makes all the difference.This year’s Notting Hill Carnival is the fiftieth incarnation of Europe’s biggest street party.
Widely known simply as 'carnival, the annual celebration of music and multiculturalism will be attended by more than a million revellers over the weekend.
First organised in 1966 by resident Rhaune Laslett as a way to improve race relations in the area, it grew in popularity and became increasingly associated with Caribbean and sound-system culture.
It was marred by public disorder in some years – particularly during the turbulent seventies and eighties – but is now become a firm public favourite.
When does it take place?
Sunday 28 August – Family day has a more relaxed atmosphere more suited to young children.
Bank holiday Monday 29 August – The main parade, featuring dancers, performers and steel bands, is more lively.
What time does carnival start?
The carnival parade begins at 9am on both days. Around the same time, 38 sound systems and at least 60 bands will get going. Officially, festivities wind down from 8.30pm but there are numerous after-parties in the area.
What will the weather be like?
Sunday - It will mostly be hot and dry, with temperatures hitting up to 24C. However, showers are possible later on in the day and these could turn into thunderstorms overnight. Air pollution is expected to be low throughout the day.
Monday - Sunshine is expected on the the second and final day of carnival, with the temperature again expected to reach 24C. There is a chance of rain, but less so than on Sunday. Again, low levels of air pollution are expected.
Tube stations and travel
The following stations will be exit-only most of the day and are likely to be extremely busy:
Notting Hill Gate (Central, Circle and District lines) Exit only 11am – 7pm
Royal Oak (Circle and Hammersmith and City lines) Exit only 11am – 6pm, closed from 6pm Monday.
Westbourne Park (Circle and Hammersmith and City lines) Exit only 11am – 6pm.
Nearby tube stations without disruptions include High Street Kensington, Shepard’s Bush, Bayswater, Holland Park, Queen’s Park and Paddington. These will also be very busy.
Buses will also be severely disrupted but extra services will be laid on. ‘Boris bike’ stations in the area will be suspended.
Authorties urge people not to try to drive to the event.
More information can be found at Transport for London’s dedicated page.
How many people are expected at carnival?
Usually, a million people attend carnival over the course of the weekend and are concentrated in a relatively small area. Do not underestimate how hard it is to find people once they have been lost.
If meeting friends, also be aware that phone reception will likely be limited due to the number of people converging on the area.
Also bear this in mind if arranging to move to a certain place – travelling through large numbers of people is difficult.
It is wise to pre-arrange a meeting point to go to in the event of losing members of the group. Consider downloading a map of event to a phone before going.
What food and drink will be available?
There will be a wide variety of food, from Caribbean dishes like jerk chicken to stalls which sell only vegetarian options. There are also numerous places to buy alcohol.
Will there be toilets?
There will be toilets dotted around the area, varying from ‘portaloos’ to urinal troughs. Some residents in the area also charge revellers for access to toilets in their homes.
What is the carnival route?
Spread between areas of Notting Hill, Westbourne Park and Ladbroke Grove, the carnival parade route can be seen below. Along the way and at many streets in between, there will be sound systems paying tribute to Caribbean influenced music, new and old, and some other genres entirely.
Sound system line-up
Aba Shanti-I
"Arts-A-Light"
Bass by Any Means Necessary
Belgrave, Ricky : Bass Chairman
CMC/Matrix Sound System
Channel One Sound System
Disco Hustlers
Disya Jeneration
4Play Sound System
Gaz's Rockin Blues
GI Roadshow
Gladdy Wax Road Show
Good Times Sound System
GT Flex Roadshow/Mayhem Crew
Jah Observer
KCC and the Rocking Crew
King Tubby's
Latin Rave Street Jam
Lord Gelly's
Love TKO (Ramjam Radio)
Mangrove Sound
Mastermind Roadshow
Mellotone Sound System
Metro Glory (Science of Sound)
Nasty Love (Mixin Lab)
People's Sound - Featuring: Sufferer
Pineapple Tribe
Rampage
Rapattack
Rough But Sweet
Sancho Panza
Saxon Studio
Showtime Blackstar
Sir Lloyd
Sir Valdez
Solution
The Fun Bunch
Virgo International
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