Special thanks to Pester PR for providing the contents of this press release: Postcards From The Diaspora are proud to be supporting Pester PR regards Notting Hill Carnival 2026. Images in this article are sourced via the official NHC Instagram account.

Notting Hill Carnival invites you to celebrate its 60th anniversary. Now Europe's largest cultural event and the world’s second largest carnival, London’s diamond event has grown from a small community party into the glorious, world famous spectacle it is today.

In 1966, local resident and social worker Rhaune Laslett arranged a children's street party with the aim of bringing together a neighbourhood scarred by conflict, racial tension and poor housing. It was a simple gesture that proved the spark that ignited one of the world’s great cultural events. In the years that preceded 1966, Notting Hill had been inflicted with race riots and growing tensions. Political parties were actively splintering and dividing communities through false narratives, born out of hatred.

In May 1959, Kelso Cochrane, a young Antiguan man was murdered in a racially motivated attack that deeply affected the local community and which, to this day, stands as a powerful symbol of racial injustice in Britain. All this, and much more, played a significant part in Carnival’s existence.

As part of the street parties festivities, Rhaune Laslett invited Russell Henderson’s Steel Band to play. Impromptuded, they decided to tie their pans around their necks and began weaving their way through Portobello Road in a procession. People came out of their homes to follow, dance, have fun and enjoy the music together, galvanising the community.

Matthew Phillip, CEO of Notting Hill Carnival Ltd “2026 is a special year for Notting Hill Carnival. It is six decades of costumes, colour, sound, Steelpan, Calypso, Soca and sound systems. Six decades of a community that turned exclusion into expression, and struggle into celebration.

“It is important we remember Carnival did not begin as a spectacle. It was a need for the community. It was to bring the divided together! We stand on the shoulders of the people that made Carnival what it is today.

This anniversary is theirs. “This year will be spectacular and it will celebrate Carnival’s Diamond Jubilee with the sounds, colours and reverie we have come to expect. We know Carnival’s community will continue to pave the way for its glorious future.”

Notting Hill Carnival continues to be a symbol of unity born out of that simple ambition and for decades it has gone beyond the Carnival weekend itself. The Sound Systems, Steel and Mas bands of Carnival serve their communities 365 days a year, offering opportunities to learn skills and be part of something creative. Through their art, they bring joy to those participating and those spectating. Such is its draw that the Mayor of London estimates that Notting Hill Carnival is worth £400 million to the London economy. This community will once again display a weekend of colour, culture and togetherness - be part of this year's Notting Hill Carnival…

This year Notting Hill Carnival has received additional funding of £4.66 million from the Mayor Of London in addition to the money received from the Royal Borough Of Kensington & Chelsea and Westminster Council. This show of support will help Carnival thrive. The additional funding has allowed for more crowd management measures to be explored and implemented by best-in-class crowd experts, to increase the number of stewards and the use of technology throughout Carnival.

It also allows Carnival organisers to take on greater responsibility from organising partners such as the Metropolitan Police. Notting Hill Carnival Ltd would like to thank the Mayor Of London, Royal Borough Of Kensington & Chelsea and Westminster councils for this show of support.

New for this year

A Notting Hil Carnival App soon avaialble
An official Merch on Demand store on Amazon which will feature limited edition 60th anniversary collections with products available to buy now. Profits made after costs will be put back into the development of Notting Hill Carnival helping support its future.

Partnerships

developing collaborations with Carnival tropical de Paris 2026 and Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival.
Spotify is returning for its seventh consecutive year as an official partner with its annual Carnival Sounds campaign.
Hennessy is celebrating six decades of the sounds that have shaped Carnival. To mark the milestone, the cognac house has brought together a panel of voices from across the community
Jamaican brands MAGNUM Tonic Wine and Wray & Nephew are proud to join as official partners.
Refine.023 has been an incredible partner in helping bring the Wray & Nephew and MAGNUM Tonic Wine partnerships to life for Notting Hill Carnival's 60th Anniversary
Notting Hill Carnival Ltd has embarked on a multiyear research project with UCL's Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose, led by Mariana Mazzucato, and Alvaro Barrington's non-profit organisation Emelda CIC, has embarked on a multiyear research collaboration to make the case for Carnival — ensuring the wealth it generates into the people and communities that make it possible.
Notting Hill Carnival is supporting the African Caribbean Leukaemia Trust (ACLT) who this year celebrate their 30th anniversary.