Notting Hill Carnival Guide 2026
While Notting Hill typically is the vibrant, cultural capital of West London, it truly comes to life each year as the beating heart of Carnival – Europe’s biggest street festival.
While Notting Hill typically is the vibrant, cultural capital of West London, it truly comes to life each year as the beating heart of Carnival – Europe’s biggest street festival.
We’re doing it in style this year, teaming up with Wray & Nephew to celebrate the 200th birthday of their iconic overproof Jamaican rum, and the 60th anniversary of the world’s second-largest carnival (beaten only, of course, by the infamous Rio Carnival).
So if you’re looking for the ultimate spots to catch all the sequins and soca, we’re on hand with a helpful guide to ensure you get the most out of it.
Your perfect itinerary
Arrive at Bayswater Station around midday, just as Notting Hill Carnival truly starts to come alive.
Kick things off with a quick stop at The Porchester, perfectly placed on your walk to the main Carnival route. Grab a takeaway coffee or something a little stronger (we won’t judge) before making your way down to Westbourne Grove, where the parade, colourful costumes and infectious energy set the tone for the day.
Just moments from the action, you’ll find The Cock & Bottle – one of Notting Hill’s favourite local pubs. Tucked slightly away from the busiest streets, it’s the ideal place to pause, get your bearings and ease yourself into the celebrations. We’d recommend a refreshing Wray & Nephew Jamaican Mule or a locally brewed Portobello Pilsner before heading back into the crowds.
From here, continue along Westbourne Grove towards the famous Portobello Road, where more than 300 food stalls serve up some of the best Caribbean street food in London. Whether it’s smoky jerk chicken with rice and peas, tender curry goat, crispy patties or sweet fried plantain, this is the perfect place to refuel.
Your next stop is The Duke of Wellington, right on the corner of Portobello Road. Cool off with a classic rum punch, a frozen Wray & Nephew slushie, or a pint of Jubel Lime before heading off to explore Carnival’s legendary sound systems. From reggae and dancehall to jungle, soca and Afrobeats, every corner offers a different soundtrack to the day.
No visit to Notting Hill Carnival is complete without experiencing Ladbroke Grove. This is where you’ll find the biggest crowds, boldest costumes and electric atmosphere that Carnival is famous for. Sitting right at the heart of the action, The Elgin is the perfect pit stop for an ice-cold Wray & Ting while you soak it all in.
As the parade winds down, make your way back to The Porchester for the Young’s x Wray & Nephew Carnival Afterparty. With DJs playing from 6pm until late, Caribbean-inspired dishes and exclusive Wray & Nephew cocktails, it’s the perfect way to round off an unforgettable day at Notting Hill Carnival.