Notting Hill Carnival: Monday parade

The main day, and the largest street festival in Europe: two million people, the big bands and the mas costumes on the road from mid-morning, and the static sound systems on the surrounding streets until seven, when the police pull the plugs and the whole thing stops at once.

Worth knowing

Walk in rather than trying to arrive at the middle. Ladbroke Grove and Westbourne Park close or go exit-only, so come from Shepherd’s Bush, Paddington or Notting Hill Gate and follow everyone else. Cash for the jerk chicken, no glass, and agree a meeting point because the phone networks give up by lunchtime. The sound systems each have a different crowd; walk between them rather than picking one.

Getting there

It runs across Ladbroke Grove, Westbourne Park and Kensal Road. The residential streets in between are where the food is. The Notting Hill page has the rest of what is on nearby.