Notting Hill Carnival - 2008 information

Dates for the Notting Hill Carnival 2008

The main carnival parade will take place on Monday 25th August on the streets of Notting Hill, with the Children's Day parade taking place the day beforehand on Sunday 24th August.

Notting Hill Carnival Route for 2008

The 2008 carnival route will be broadly unchanged from that of last year. Click here for the Quickmap animated Carnival route map.

Notting Hill Carnival 2008 - Season of Events

In addition to the carnival parades there is a whole season of events, details of which are listed below.

London Calypso Tent - The premier cultural precursor to the annual Notting Hill Carnival which showcases the rich talent of British based Calypsonians. It is always held weekly 6 weeks prior to the start of the Carnival weekend. Caribbean food is also available.
Dates: 1, 8, 15, 21 & 22 August 2008
Time: 8pm – 12.30am
Location: The Tabernacle, Powis Square, W11 2AY
Contact: To buy tickets visit www.carnivalvillage.org.uk or call the box office on 0871 271 5151

Grand Carnival Costume Splash Children's Day - Notting Hill Mas Bands Association presents a stage show, competition and preview of costumes for Notting Hill Carnival 2008.
Date: 16 August 2008
Time: 11am - 1pm Children’s activities (workshops etc)/ 2pm - 6pm Children’s costume showcase (Doors open at 1pm)
Location: Alexandra Palace, Wood Green, London, N22 7AY
Tel: 020 8365 2121
Contact: Tickets can be purchased in advance online at www.nhmba.com using credit card/paypal or telephone 020 8969 4603 and tickets will be left on the door at Alexandra Palace.

Grand Carnival Costume Splash Adult's Day - Notting Hill Mas Bands Association presents a Stage show, competition and preview of costumes for Notting Hill Carnival 2008.
Date: 17 August 2008
Time: 3pm (Doors open at 1pm)
Location: Alexandra Palace, Wood Green, London, N22 7AY
Contact: Tickets can be purchased in advance online at www.nhmba.com using credit card/paypal or telephone 020 8969 4603 and tickets will be left on the door at Alexandra Palace

Calypso Monarch Finals - The culmination of a month of traditional Calypso music and dance includes the crowning of the UK Calypso Monarch 2008. Caribbean food is available at the event.
Date: 21 August 2008
Time: 8pm to midnight
Location: Carnival Village, The Tabernacle, Powis Square, W11 2AY
Price: £10 in advance, £12 on the door
Contact: To buy tickets visit www.carnivalvillage.org.uk or call the box office on 0871 271 5151

30th National Panorama Championship - Ten of the UK’s top steelbands, each comprising of between 40 and 75 musicians, compete for the title ‘National Champions of Steel’. There will also be a variety of stage and family activities.
Date: 23 August 2008
Time: 12-4.30pm World Music Stage. 5pm to 9.30pm (National Steel Pan competition in association with the British Association of Steel Pan).
Location: Hyde Park.
Price: Free

Notting Hill Carnival Children's day parade - Europe’s biggest celebration of music, movement and masquerade. Active participation from young people is encouraged. On the Road Junior Costume Competition (several categories including King, Queen and Best Band)
Date: 24 August 2008
Time: 10am – 7pm
Free for all ages

Notting Hill Carnival - Europe’s biggest celebration of music, movement and masquerade. On the Road Senior Costume Competition (several categories including King, Queen and Best Band). The ‘Soca on the move’ competition, in association with Caribbean Music Association, also takes place on Sunday and Monday.
Date: 25 August 2008
Time: 10am – 7pm
Free for all ages

Notting Hill Carnival Code

The follow tips will help ensure the Notting Hill Carnival is a weekend of fun for all the family to enjoy

Please remember:

Have a set meeting place in case you loose family or friends – try not to rely on your mobile phone.
Keep aware, pickpockets will be attracted to the large crowds.
Check arrangements for your return journey before leaving for the Carnival – if you move around the area you may find your return journey easier from another station or bus stop.
Go with the flow of the crowd – don’t try and walk against it.
Don’t bring your valuables or wear expensive jewellery.
Keep your belongings with you at all times.
Don’t carry too much cash or your credit cards.
If you are travelling only a short distance it may be quicker to walk.
Arrange to meet friends and family before entering the Carnival area. To avoid congestion, arrive early leave early.

Carnival Travel

The best way to get to and from the carnival is to use public transport, however because of the carnival there will be some changes to normal services. Transport for London have set out these changes on the pdf file labelled "More details on the Notting Hill Carnival" available on their website. Click here to visit the relevant page.

Further information

Further information on the event may be available on the official Notting Hill Carnival Website (see links page for the official website).

Information on carnivals in prior years

See the links below for carnival information from prior years

Photographs from carnivals in prior years

Click here to see a gallery of photos taken at previous carnivals.

Whilst Halden Photography makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information given above, no liability will be accepted by Halden Photography for any errors or omissions.