A Landmark Anniversary
London’s Notting Hill Carnival got underway on Sunday with revellers covered in oil and paint, marking its 60th anniversary. The three-day event, described as Europe's biggest street party and one of the largest carnivals in the world, is expected to draw millions of visitors, according to organisers.
The festivities began with the traditional J’ouvert parade, a vibrant street celebration rooted in Caribbean carnival culture. Participants covered themselves in colourful paint and oil as they danced and marched through the streets, embracing the lively atmosphere that traditionally marks the start of the carnival. The name J’ouvert comes from the French phrase “jour ouvert”, meaning “daybreak”, reflecting the tradition of early-morning celebrations.
This year’s carnival highlights six decades of Caribbean heritage, music, dance and community in London. What began as a celebration of Caribbean identity has grown into one of the world’s largest street festivals, attracting huge crowds to west London each year.
A City Transformed
The carnival has become a major fixture of London’s cultural calendar, bringing together communities from across the city and beyond. For many participants and spectators, the event is not only a celebration but also a showcase of Caribbean history, creativity and influence in Britain.
On the second day, hundreds of thousands of revellers lined the streets. Day one was dedicated to families, while Bank Holiday Monday is traditionally known as ‘Adults Day’, which is effectively one huge street party. Thousands are taking part in the 60th carnival celebrating Caribbean culture, while more watch on.
DJs accompanied those dressed in bright sequins and dazzling costumes, often featuring feathers and headdresses. Steel drums, whistles and horns added to the barrage of noise, and carnival-goers could be seen waving flags from countries across the Caribbean.
The carnival attracts between 1,000,000 and 2,000,000 visitors each year. Tourists who have come to witness the spectacle, rather than partake, stood shoulder to shoulder with locals and Brits from every corner of the country, cheering on the parade. Some with access to one even stood on rooftops to get a birds-eye view of the action.
Voices from the Crowd
Jacob Delaney, 46, from the US, said: ‘I’ve never seen anything like it. It’s a great event. There’s so much noise and fun. We are on vacation and couldn’t miss ’
Paul Hitchcock, from Reading, said: ‘I’ve been coming to carnival for many years. Now I bring my kids. It’s now a family ’
Policing and Safety
Police reported the event to have passed off ‘overwhelmingly peacefully’ despite 169 arrests. There are hundreds of police and stewards at the event as well as Live Facial Recognition (LFR) cameras posted around the streets seeking out known offenders.
The police operation is so far marked by a hands-off approach. Officers are ready if the violence which has marred some previous events flares. One police officer told Metro: ‘We are here if needed. We have so far seen a vast majority of people celebrating and just having ’
On Sunday, a jerk chicken van caught fire, triggering fears that it was an emergency services vehicle which was alight – a theory which was soon quashed.
As the celebrations continue, colourful costumes, music and dancing are expected to transform the streets of Notting Hill into a vast outdoor festival.