Notting Hill Carnival

Month : August
Place : England
Famous For : Street Festival
Attractions : Carnival Parade, Music, Dancing and Singing

The Notting Hill Carnival is one of the most awaited celebration in United Kingdom. It's an annual event held during the month of August on the streets of Notting Hill, Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, London, UK. The two day event is led by members of the British African-Caribbean community, particularly the Trinidadian and Tobagonian British population or 'Trinis', many of whom have lived in the area since the 1950s. The carnival is tagged as the second largest street festival in the world.

Major Attractions

The carnival traces its roots from two separate but connected strands. The Carnival began in January 1959 in St Pancras Town Hall as a response to the depressing state of race relations. This carnival organised by Claudia Jones (a "Trini") was a huge success, despite being held indoors. The other important strand was the "hippie" London Free School inspired festival that became the first organised outside event in August 1966. The prime mover was Rhaune Laslett, who was not aware of the indoor events when she first raised the idea. This was a more diverse Notting Hill event to promote cultural unity. A street party for neighbourhood children turned into a carnival procession when Russell Henderson's steel band went on a walkabout. In recent years, the event has been much freer from serious trouble and is generally viewed very positively by the authorities as a dynamic celebration of London's multi-cultural diversity. The main focus is the carnival parade, numerous floats working their way along Ladbroke Grove and around with dancers brightly attired, great music, dancing and singing. In the side streets the partying is just as intense- music stands are everywhere,