Your guide to Notting Hill Carnival 2025: What to see and hear – and where to drink
The smell of jerk chicken floating in the air. Throbbing basslines. Colourful carnival outfits. Dancing policemen. It could only be one thing. Notting Hill Carnival.
The biggest street party in Europe is once again hitting the streets of West London in August, and we’re getting into the spirit already. Let the samba rhythm and the reggae beats guide you on what to expect during this epic street party.
Here we’re looking at what to check out, what to eat and where to get into the party vibes at our Greene King pubs in Notting Hill.
What is Notting Hill Carnival?
Notting Hill Carnival is fun. That’s the first thing you need to know. If you want good times, good vibes and big smiles, make your way to the streets around Notting Hill, Ladbroke Grove, Westbourne Grove, Westbourne Park and Kensal Road on the August bank holiday weekend. And don’t forget your dancing shoes.
As well as being the biggest street party in Europe, Notting Hill Carnival is a London institution and the UK’s largest celebration of Caribbean culture. And the best bit? It’s completely free.
Carnival began in 1966 with just 500 attendees and has grown into a huge celebration of Caribbean heritage, music and food. Expect parades, sound systems, and steel bands — and in recent years, a number of Brazilian samba groups have joined the party too. Nowadays, more than a million people attend across the weekend.
In 2025, it runs from 23rd to 25th August, promising to turn the August bank holiday into the biggest party weekend of the year.
What’s on across the weekend?
Notting Hill Carnival, or simply ‘Carnival’ as it’s affectionately known by locals, is split into three days, with the warm-up on the Saturday, Children’s Day on the Sunday and culminating in the iconic parade on the Monday. Here’s what you can expect across the three days of the carnival:
Saturday 23rd August
The first day of the carnival is more of a warm-up day, with just a few things going on and artists warming up for the main event. Look out for the UK National Panorama Steel Band Competition, which is held between 4pm and 11pm at Emslie Horniman’s Pleasance Park. It’s worth noting, this is a ticketed event, and you do need to pay.
Sunday 24th August
Sunday is all about the little ones, with a Children’s Parade, Carnival, and the playful Dutty/Fun Mas. If you’re bringing the kids along to Carnival, you can expect colourful paint, powder, melted chocolate and plenty of joyful mayhem. You’ll also find sound systems in full swing and live music at Emslie Horniman’s Pleasance Park and Powis Square until 7pm.
Monday 25th August
Adults Day is when the real action begins at Carnival. The full parade brings the intense party vibes, packed with mas bands donning their colourful costumes and walking alongside their incredible floats. Grab a whistle, find your spot along the route and get into the party atmosphere. The sound systems are cranked and will be blasting out the tunes until 7pm, and there are live music stages at Emslie Horniman’s Pleasance Park and Powis Square until 7pm once again.
Across all three days of the party, you can sample delicious Caribbean flavours from over 300 street food vendors, and the party spirit will be in full effect everywhere you look. The only thing left to do? Get involved!
The sound system tradition
Notting Hill Carnival’s sound systems are custom-built speaker systems, often in fixed spots or mounted on the back of trucks. They play music through large speakers, are run by individual crews and are a staple of Notting Hill Carnival.
In fact, you’ll find around 30 of them dotted around the carnival route playing all different types of music including reggae, dub, soul, rare groove, jungle and more. Think bass-heavy sounds and you get the picture.
A proud part of Caribbean and reggae culture, sound systems have been central to Carnival since 1973. Legendary names like Channel One and Rampage have kept the tradition alive for decades. If you’re lucky enough, you’ll get to see a sound clash too. This is a crowd-fuelled battle between crews, each trying to outdo the other with the best beats, rare tracks and slickest selections. It’s Carnival at its boldest.
Notting Hill’s best Greene King pubs to visit
Whether you’re looking to sip a pint while the action unfolds on the street outside or you need the ideal meet-up or wind-down spot, these five pubs in Notting Hill and close by are perfect for Carnival:Ladbroke Arms
The Mitre
Prince Bonaparte
Old Swan
The Phoenix
The Phoenix is the ideal pub if you want to be close to the action, but not right at the centre of it. Carnival usually spills into the streets of Bayswater, but the parade doesn’t go through here, so you can get off the beaten track a little and enjoy a cold pint and some traditional pub food away from the craziness. And once you’re refreshed, simply head straight back in. It’s also a top spot to meet up with friends for a few pints before the action really starts.
Tips for getting the most out of Carnival
Notting Hill Carnival is a huge event. There are people everywhere. It’s loud, and it can be a little overwhelming. But when you get the most out of it, it’s super fun and an experience you’ll remember for years to come.
Here are a few tips to help you do just that.
✔ Arrive early to get a good spot
If you’re keen to watch the parade and see the mas bands doing their thing, you’ll need to get down early to get a good spot. Check the official route map in advance and select your place. It also helps to have a little flexibility on the day, depending on how busy your chosen spot is when you get there. We think a location close to one of our Greene King pubs is the one.
✔ Stay hydrated
Make sure you get plenty of liquids on board, as it can be a long day with lots of dancing. You want to keep your body going so your dancing feet have the fuel they need. Bring water with you, and choose soft drinks or low/no alcohol options in our Greene King pubs – we’ve got a drinks menu packed with them. Also, look for street vendors selling coconut water for a hydrating taste of the Caribbean.
✔ Dress for comfort (and colour!)
Yes, you’ll need sequins, glitter, and your most colourful outfit going. You’ll also need comfy trainers to look after your feet, a waterproof coat in case the heavens open and suncream if the sun decides to get into the Caribbean spirit too.
✔ Bring cash, as not all vendors accept cards
While you can pay contactless no problem in our Greene King pubs in Notting Hill or close by, not all vendors will take cards. Bring plenty of cash so you can stock up on colourful beads, coconut water, jerk chicken and rum punch.
✔ Be respectful of the event’s roots and the local community
The event is a celebration of Caribbean culture. It’s a time to celebrate, appreciate the culture and throw yourself into its traditions. It’s all about getting involved with the best of Carnival.
What to eat and drink
Carnival is a huge celebration of Caribbean culture. And as food is such an important part of the culture, it makes sense that food is an integral part of the carnival experience. You’ll find around 300 food vendors dotted across the route offering up delicious Caribbean morsels.
Of course, Jamaican jerk chicken is king. If you’re going to eat one thing at Carnival, make it jerk chicken. The smell wafts through the area, and it’s truly the authentic Carnival experience. Essential must-tries include Trinidadian Roti, and Guyanese Pepper Pot. Other classic Carnival staples include fried plantain, rice and peas, curry goat and jollof rice.
And the best way to cut through all that spice? We think a refreshing cold beer in one of our Greene King pubs is the ideal accompaniment. Check out our Greene King drinks menu to pick your perfect pint. We’re well stocked with quality wines, spirits and some sublime summer cocktails practically made for Carnival.
Planning your visit
Notting Hill Carnival is a massive event, so you need to plan first before you hit the streets to party. We’ve already mentioned getting down early (that’s important). You’ll also want to plan your journey there and back.
You can take the tube to stops like Notting Hill Gate, but just be prepared for big crowds and long queues. It’s often better to get the tube or bus somewhere close but less packed and walk to Carnival from there. We think Holland Park and the Mitre pub are amongst the best places to start your day.
It’s also worth selecting a pub to meet at after to regroup, as it’s very easy to get separated from your friends at such a large scale event. If you’re feeling super organised, book a table in advance at one of our Greene King pubs – we’ll be busy all weekend during Carnival so be sure to book early.
Find a Greene King pub for Notting Hill Carnival
When you need a friendly and familiar place to take a break during Carnival, look no further than Greene King. Choose one of our best pubs for Notting Hill Carnival and book your table now. Then you can plan the rest of your weekend at this incredible event.