An exuberant Parade for Children as the whole carnival team put their extravagant costumes on show as they spin, whirl and twirl along the carnival route to the mesmeric rhythms supplied by numerous sound systems and sensational steel bands.
A number of fabulous acts can be seen and heard on the “World Music Stage” at the Powis Square venue. These acts will feature calypso and soca performances by the Association of British Calypsonians, Calypsonians from around the world. In addition to these acts, up and coming artists from other genres will be on show as well as various other performances.
A place of safety for both the collection of static sound systems and audiences alike. With 38 sound systems playing various music styles and breathtaking stage performances strategically dotted around the carnival footprint. Throughout the day, on almost every corner you can find tantalisingly tasty Caribbean food, drink and much more!
The Grand finale showcasing a sea of vibrant colours as 60 bands in magnificent costumes dance to the tantalising rhythms of the mobile sound systems or steel bands. Enjoy the magnificent continuation of vocals on the “World Music Stage” at Powis Square. Come and be entertained by UK Calypsonians, soca artist, visiting international artists and other emerging acts.
See how many of the 38 sound systems you can go and listen to as they entertain you with their numerous genres of music and different performances, all adding to the Carnival’s one of a kind atmosphere.
get a taste for the fantastically diverse attractions of food, tunes and other fun activities.
Roads and public transport in west London will be very busy on August Bank Holiday weekend. Make sure you make the most of the weekend, and of this fantastic annual event, by planning ahead.
Road users
Roads in west London will be very busy on Sunday 24 and Monday 25 August. To create a safe environment during Carnival there will be extensive road closures in Notting Hill, Ladbroke Grove and Westbourne Park areas.
Road closure times:
Sunday 24 August from 06:00 until around 23:59
Monday 25 August from 06:00 until around 03:00 on the morning of Tuesday 26 August
Road closures will be from:
Harrow Road in the north
Notthing Hill Gate in the south
Clarendon Road in the west
Queensway in the east
The road closures will make traffic around the event areas busier than usual, including A5 Edgware Road, Holland Park Avenue, Notting Hill Gate and Bayswater Road. Wherever possible, drivers should avoid these parts of west London, or allow for delays to their journey.
A small number of Barclays Cycle Hire docking stations in the Carnival area will be suspended from 21:00 on Saturday 23 August until 07:00 on Tuesday 26 August. These include:
Turquoise Island
Pembridge Villas
Chepstow Villas
Notting Hill Gate station
Hereford Road
Ladbroke Grove (central)
Landsdowne Walk
All Saints Church
Blenheim Crescent
All Saints Road
Westbourne Park Road (Powis Gardens)
Although all other docking stations will remain available, traffic congestion in the area may make it difficult for Barclays Cycle Hire redistribution vehicles to collect and/or replace bicycles across west London.
Magenta wayfinding signage will be in place to help carnivalgoers get between transport hubs and the event.
Tube and rail
Tube and rail will be the best way to get around on the weekend, although stations in west London will be busier than usual.
Planned tube closures on Sunday 24 and Monday 25 August include:
Tube
Ladbroke Grove (Circle and Hammersmith & City lines) will be closed on Sunday 24 and Monday 25
Latimer Road (Circle and Hammersmith & City lines) will be closed 23:30 on Sunday 24 and Monday 25
Notting Hill Gate (Central, Circle and District lines) will be exit-only between 11:00-19:00 and no interchange between District, Circle and Central lines on Sunday 24 August. On Monday 25 August this station will be exit-only and District and Circle lines will be non-stopping between 11:00-19:00. There will be no interchange between the District, Circle and Central lines all day. Customers are advised to use Bayswater or Paddington stations instead
Queensway (Central line) will be exit-only between 11:00-19:00 on Sunday 24 and Monday 25 August
Royal Oak will be exit-only between 11:00-18:00 and closed from 18:00 on Sunday 24 and Monday 25 August
Westbourne Park will be exit-only between 11:00-18:00 and closed from 18:00 on Sunday 24 and Monday 25 August
London Overground
No services between South Tottenham and Barking on Sunday 24 or Monday 25 August.
London police enjoying Nottinghill carnival. Photo courtesy www.londonthisweekend.co.uk
National Rail
On Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 August no First Capital Connect (FCC) and Southern Services call at London Bridge, and services will be diverted to Victoria or Blackfriars in London.
Stations around the Carnival area with no planned closures:
Tube
High Street Kensington (Circle and District lines)
Holland Park (Central line)
Queen’s Park (Bakerloo line)
Shepherd’s Bush (Central line)
Bayswater (Circle and District line). On Monday 25 August, between 12:00-19:00, customers are advised to use this station as Circle and District line trains will not stop at Notting Hill Gate
Paddington (Hammersmith & City and Circle lines) on Sunday 24 and Monday 25 August – customers are advised to use this station instead of Notting Hill Gate or Royal Oak, as both these stations will have entry restrictions
London Overground
Queen’s Park
Kensal Rise
Kensal Green
Shepherd’s Bush
Oyster card top ups
Stations in west London will be very busy on both days of Carnival. To save time and avoid queues, top up your Oyster card in advance.Find out more about Oyster or get a card.
Ticket gates may need to be left open due to the large number of people attending the Carnival. If you are unable to touch in or out with your Oyster card, and are not charged the right fare, you will get an automatic refund within seven days of the end of the Carnival.
From 16:00 on Saturday 23 August until the end of the Carnival weekend, route 23 will be affected due to a road diversion in place for the Panorama event.
From around 02:00 on Sunday 24 August until 05:00 on Tuesday 26 August, buses in and around the event area will be on diversion or will terminate earlier than usual to avoid the road closures.
During these times, buses will start from the Prince of Wales on Harrow Road to the north of the Carnival area.
To the south of the Carnival area buses will start from Notting Hill Gate.
Bus stops within or adjacent to the area will carry displays about diversions or disruptions.
There will be extra day and night buses serving the Notting Hill Carnival, however buses in west London are expected to be busier than usual so allow plenty of time for your journey and plan ahead.
If you make or receive deliveries in west London over the weekend, you may be affected by congestion and increased journey times because of road closures in the areas around the Notting Hill Carnival.
If you operate in areas on or near the event, you should talk to your customers and suppliers now, to consider if there are changes you need to make to your deliveries or collections.
You may wish to consider:
Changing the day of your deliveries to before or after the weekend
Changing the times of your deliveries to avoid road closures
Using alternative routes that avoid the area to make your deliveries
Signing up to the TfL Road Freight Bulletin for regular information and advice on issues impacting deliveries in London. Email [email protected] to sign up
Signing up to the TfL Business Engagement Bulletin for monthly information on how TfL are improving transport choices. Email [email protected]
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