Notting Hill Carnival Facts

The Notting Hill Carnival began in 1964 and still going strong

Location: Chepstow Road, W2

Description: The Notting Hill Carnival began in 1964 by the West Indians and Trinidadians who were facing racial tensions in London during the 1950s, and this small street parade has grown to play host to more than two million people.

The Notting Hill Carnival is the largest arts festival in Europe. It is now only second to Rio with the route three miles from start to finish.

And finally...For a Carnival to be the fully-fledged real thing it needs five components:

1: Mas: The costumed processions and floats
2: Calypso: Traditional Trinidadian music
3: Soca: Calypso's modern, more energetic form
4: Steelpan: Traditional Trinidadian instrument which is either static, or worn around the neck
5: Static Sound Systems: Originally from Jamaica, playing a range of music.

So get on down there every year on August Bank Holiday Sunday and Monday.