Carnival at 60: The oral history and unbeatable spirit of Notting Hill’s 60th anniversary
The Notting Hill Carnival is preparing for its 60th anniversary, celebrating its history as a cornerstone of Caribbean culture in London. The event continues to draw millions of attendees, highlighting the enduring influence of sound systems and masquerade traditions.
Why it matters
As one of Europe's largest street festivals, the Carnival serves as a vital cultural touchstone for the Caribbean diaspora and the broader social fabric of London.
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It began as a small celebration of Caribbean culture — now the unity of old and new generations is pushing London’s biggest party ever forward
On an unsuspecting W10 backstreet, the party’s come early. Residents gawp from windows and balconies at a mini-parade of feather-clad bikini dancers and plumage-framed muscle men. Atop a food truck dispensing trays of sticky BBQ wings a sound system rattles windows with hip-shaking Caribbean soca sounds while, at the far end of the street, a drum troupe provides the beat for a trio of skipping stilt-walkers dressed as sentient totem poles.
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