The iconic Notting Hill Carnival, Europe’s largest free street festival, is set to return bigger and better this year and it’s taking place between 25-27 August 2018. If you haven’t attended in a while, this is the year to return.
The event will feature a spectacular parade showcasing London’s rich and varied multicultural heritage with masquerade bands, steel bands and samba bands as well as live music stages, sound systems, children’s activities, and an array of delicious Caribbean food stalls to choose from.
What’s new this year?
Notting Hill Carnival Ltd (NHCL) has been confirmed as the official organisers of the 2018 event. The core team has been involved in Carnival for more than 40 years, with the Carnival Village Trust organising and hosting Carnival arts events and classes for over 11 years including Moko Jumbie stilt walking, Mas-making, Carnival Make-Up, steel pan lessons as well as tea and cake mornings for local seniors at the both The Tabernacle and YAA Centre.
Notting Hill Carnival is an inclusive celebration of Caribbean culture and symbolises the effect the Windrush generation and larger local community has had on Britain. These people are its heartbeat and not only laid the foundations of Carnival, but also the wider community groups that are now a vital part of Notting Hill.
Notting Hill Carnival Executive Director, Matthew Phillips, said: “Our aim is to put on a successful, safe and spectacular Carnival and really bring everyone together, using all the incredible talent and enthusiasm that this community is known for.” He continued, “I saw a banner at last year’s carnival that read “ComeUnity”. For me that is carnival. It brings unity. We want to celebrate its heritage, enjoy its present and welcome as many people as possible to safeguard its future.”
NHCL are dedicated to the arts and bringing together the carnival’s community to reinvigorate and celebrate the carnival’s rich heritage.
New initiatives for this year include reinvigorating Children’s Day, which has traditionally taken place on the Sunday encouraging participation from children and young people.
There will also be much greater access to pre-event information on the new Carnival website and social channels this year. This will give everyone better opportunities to plan their days.
A commitment to train a substantial number of local stewards is also central to the plan, handing ownership of Carnival to the community, allowing the police to step back.
Notting Hill Carnival proudly remains a very community-lead event. Its ever-increasing popularity over the last five decades has seen it swell to become the wonderfully diverse and vibrant event it is today. With over a million expected over the August bank holiday, it’s second only to Brazil’s Rio carnival in size. You’re invited to come one, come all!
For more information, visit: www.NHCarnival.org
