Notting Hill Carnival time: What time does Notting Hill Carnival 2019 start?
NOTTING HILL Carnival kicks off this weekend and will see Kensington’s streets flooded with dazzling costumes and lively festival goers. So what time and when does Notting Hill Carnival 2019 actually start?
Notting Hill Carnival is an annual event that has taken place in London since 1966 and lasts across three days. Each year close to two million people attend for one of the world’s biggest street carnivals, featuring colourful floats, dancers, live music and street vendors mainly selling Caribbean cuisine. The event is a stunning spectacle that celebrates and showcases London’s Caribbean communities, their culture and tradition and is a must-see for any party lovers.
When is Notting Hill Carnival 2019?
This years carnival takes place on the bank holiday weekend, starting at 6am on Saturday, August 24 and ending on Monday, August 26.
The main festivities of the carnival will take place on Monday, with the Sunday being dubbed a “Family Day”.
The weekend kicks off with the UK National Panorama Steelband Competition which will see six bands compete for the title.
Each group is comprised of no fewer than 50 players and the musical performances take place from 7pm at Emslie Horniman’s Pleasance Park on Kensal Road.
The competition is ticketed at £10, with children aged 16 and under paying £3 and children under five are free.
Sunday kicks off with an opening ceremony starting at 10am, shortly followed by the carnival’s main attraction, the parade, at 10.30am.
The parade is the focal point of the Carnival is known as “Dutty Mas”, which traditionally signals the start of the celebrations.
Colourful floats, dancing street performers and ornate costumes will travel across 3.5 miles of Notting Hill’s heavily decorated streets.
Stages, sound systems and judging points will line the route of the parade, as well as hundreds of food and drink stalls.
By Emily Ferguson
