Notting Hill Carnival is Europe’s largest Carnival, celebrating the vibrant Caribbean culture and is one of the most long awaited events of the year.

This year it’s returning bigger and better, being a true highlight of London’s summer calendar. 

What started as a powerful act of resistance has grown into a citywide celebration of culture, community and Caribbean pride. 

So get those outfits feathers ruffled and get ready as we take you through everything you need to know about Carnival 2025. We’ll be covering everything you need to know from dates and routes to our top travel tips and accommodation with Imperial London Hotels for Carnival this August. 

Notting Hill Carnival 2025 Dates & Schedule 

Key Dates: Sunday 24th August - Monday 25th August 2025

Daily Timings: Both days start at about 10am and carry on through the day till early evening ending at about 7pm

This is THE day. The long awaited day the bands (aka the costume groups) have been prepping for all year, here’s what to expect: 

Person holding an orange paint-splattered bucket during a street festival, with paint covering legs and ground.

The official 2025 route hasn’t been released yet but will be published on the Notting Hill Carnival Website closer to the time, but typically it follows this path:

Starts at Westbourne Park Station → Westbourne Grove → ends near Ladbroke Grove

Keep an eye out on the Carnival website for a detailed route map closer to the event.

Carnival is one of many events London hosts every August Bank Holiday. The streets are filled with explosions of colour, booming basslines and banging Caribbean food - what’s not to love!

But Carnival isn’t just a celebration or street party, there is a powerful story behind it. What we know as a joyful celebration actually began as a response to struggle.

After the Windrush generation arrived in the UK, Caribbean communities were met with racism and social exclusion - especially in Notting Hill. Tensions escalated into the 1958 race riots, and the tragic murder of Kelso Cochrane in 1959 sent shockwaves through the Black community. 

In response, Claudia Jones, a journalist and activist at the time, hosted an indoor celebration of Caribbean Culture in 1959 to spread the joy and beauty of the Caribbean culture, which by 1966 evolved into a celebration brought to the streets of Notting Hill by Rhaune Laslett, marking the very first outdoor Notting Hill Carnival.

There are 5 main elements to Carnival which you can expect to see and hear: 

Carnival is a living symbol of Caribbean culture with millions flocking into West London every year. In 2024, over 2 million people joined the celebration. It’s all about honouring past struggles and the Caribbean culture, as well as celebrating today's unity and creativity.

If you want to stay close to the action, our Royal National Hotel is perfectly located in central London only a short tube ride away from all the fun and celebrations.

Want to dig deeper? Head to the London Museum’s website for a more detailed journey through the origins and history of Carnival and the significance it holds today.

If you thought Carnival stopped when the sun set, the party carries on. This is what else is in store for Carnival weekend:

Top Tip: Check Eventbrite and Fatsoma for where all the weekend’s parties are being hosted, trust us you’ll be spoilt for choice - it is London’s most active weekend after all!

Every year without fail there are some iconic surprise appearances from music royalty - we’re talking Sean Paul, Koffee and even Beyonce....yes, Beyonce. You never know who is going to jump on a float or sound system, adding to the excitement of the day.

The streets are most certainly full of music and bright colours, but that's not the only thing. The smell of mouth-watering Caribbean food fills the streets along the parade, with hundreds of food stalls to be found every step of the way. Think jerk chicken, curry goat, rotis, salt fish fritters and rice and peas.

The show-stopping costumes you see parading through the streets are called Mas Bands and some of the 2025 themes have already been announced. Here's who to look out for: 

Spot the themes as the bands bring their creative ideas to the streets.

Sunday is the dedicated family day, perfect for kids to experience carnival in a safe space and celebrate the beautiful Caribbean culture. It’s about passing on the tradition and cultural pride to the next generation.

Looking for somewhere family-friendly to stay? Imperial London Hotels offer spacious family rooms that sleep up to four, perfect for families to stay in during the August Bank Holiday.

No driving or parking - roads are closed in the area over the weekend, we heavily advise you not to drive to Carnival.

Taking the tube or walking is the best mode of transport, but bare in mind the following changes to station opening times and access during Carnival: 

Most regular buses will be diverted or suspended, but special routes like the 12X and 36X will be running services to and from Carnival.

Stay fully updated with the TfL app or Citymapper for real time updates and to help with journey planning and station updates on the day.

President Hotel, Tavistock Hotel and Bedford Hotel are just a 25-minute ride from Notting Hill Gate via Holborn or Russell Square Stations. 

Whether you’re coming solo, as a couple or together as a group, our rooms can sleep up to 4 people per room, making for your perfect Carnival base over the weekend.

Stay near the action with Imperial London Hotels, only a short tube ride away. Book now and pack your costumes, energy and party shoes for Carnival 2025!                  

Yes - Both days are free to attend. If you want to join a Mas Band and be in the heart of the action, you’ll need to buy a top or costume directly from their websites.

Absolutely. Sunday 24th is Family & Children’s day - a safe space for kids to experience the magic of Carnival.

We highly recommend bringing some cash with you - while most food stalls take cards, some may be cash-only, better to be safe (and fed) than sorry.