Notting Hill Carnival is synonymous with tasty food, gorgeous costumes, and rhythmic Soca music, bringing a parade and festival-like atmosphere to the streets of West London every August bank holiday weekend. Europe’s biggest street party, which attracts over two million people, is rooted in a celebration of Caribbean culture and welcomes people from all walks of life to enjoy the food, music and jubilance of these islands right here in our capital city.
However, while a good time is certainly top of the agenda, the history of Notting Hill Carnival and why it exists can sometimes get lost. As this year marks the Carnival’s 60th anniversary, Notting Hill Carnival Ltd and a number of the participating mas bands in the parade have made a real drive to honour the roots of Notting Hill Carnival.
Why does London host Notting Hill Carnival?
Although Notting Hill Carnival is officially celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, its history starts much earlier. Many Caribbean carnivals have roots in rebellion against enslavement, with one of the first recorded examples dating back to the late 18th century in Trinidad and Tobago. Enslaved people wore costumes, and covered themselves in paint, mud or oil, as an act of defiance against their oppressors. At Notting Hill Carnival today, you can see a recreation of this symbolic tradition on Carnival Sunday, as masquarders – those in the parade – take part in J’ouvert or Jab.
Fast forward to 1958 in Notting Hill, London, and there were race riots in the area, which saw a series of attacks on the homes of West Indian people between August 29 and September 5. Less than a year later, in January 1959, Claudia Jones, a London-based human rights activist from Trinidad, put on the first BBC-broadcasted Caribbean Carnival at St Pancras Town Hall in response to the racial tensions, using music and jubilance as both celebration and resistance against hate.
Then, seven years later, in 1966, the first outdoor festival on the streets of Notting Hill took place: the start of the Carnival we know today. The first one was organised by Rhaune Laslett, featuring a well-known steel pan player, Russel Henderson, and his band Sterling Betancourt, Vernon ‘Fellows’ Williams, Fitzroy Coleman, and Ralph Cherry. Since this event 60 years ago, Notting Hill Carnival has grown hugely in popularity, garnering attention on the world stage. From celebrities to chefs, singers to sound systems, Carnival attracts people in their millions.
What is happening for the 60th anniversary to honour this history?
This year, Notting Hill Carnival Ltd is driving home the message of its legacy through the R.E.S.P.E.C.T. campaign, which highlights key points for attendees to remember:
R – Remember the history
E- Embrace everyone
S – Safeguard the streets
P – Protect the pulse
E – Environment matters
C – Care for each other
T – Treasure the tradition
Some mas bands, those with trucks in the parade, are also honouring the significance of the iconic anniversary through different means. Colours Carnival, for example, have crafted their costumes for Carnival Monday around the theme ‘expression of freedom’, highlighting different elements of carnival within each of their costume designs.
Notting Hill Carnival is free to attend as a spectator, with a plethora of sound systems to dance in front of, and food stalls where you can purchase food and drink to satisfy your Caribbean cravings. The parade is also free to watch – though you can purchase packages to be in the parade itself, if you fancy ticking something off the bucketlist this year!
Mas bands sell packages from around mid-March to just before Carnival weekend itself, with different bands offering different add-ons alongside your costume or t-shirt (such as all-inclusive drinks, food, toilet access and security). To purchase, you can find a full list of participating bands on Notting Hill Carnival’s website, from whom you can then purchase directly from.
