Carnival: TfL prepares London for record crowds at Notting Hill
As carnival will return to Notting Hill this weekend, TfL is offering advice for travellers to the world famous annual event for travellers to enjoy Europe’s largest street party
The capital has already started to gear up for this year’s Carnival, which will return to west London between Sunday, 25th and Monday, 26th August. Last year’s August Bank Holiday ridership figures for buses and the Tube reached the highest levels since the pandemic, as millions of people attended big events in the capital. This year, TfL is expecting an even busier bank holiday so it’s important that customers make sure they plan their journeys ahead of time.
For the easiest and least-crowded journey to Notting Hill Carnival, customers are advised to take London Underground or Elizabeth line services to Paddington station as the Carnival is only a 20-minute walk away. The Bakerloo, Circle and Hammersmith & City lines, as well as the Elizabeth line offer step-free access, while the District line also serves the station. Smaller Tube stations such as Notting Hill Gate and Westbourne Park closer to the parade can get extremely busy.
Customers are encouraged to plan their journeys in advance using the TfL Go app or using Journey Planner on the TfL website.
TfL is joining up with partners Windrush Generation Legacy Association (WGLA) to appear in Mas band Masology’s float at this year’s Notting Hill Carnival. The theme for the float is Return to the Motherland, which will celebrate Caribbean culture and heritage. The Masology float will join a bus featuring Carnival-inspired designs from Go Ahead London, which operates buses in the area on behalf of TfL, in the main parade, with TfL staff taking part in the celebrations on both the float and the bus.
TfL has also teamed up with Anthony Nolan, the stem cell transplant charity which has been saving lives for 50 years, and WGLA charities and will support them through the sale of themed pin badges to staff. TfL will donate all proceeds from Notting Hill Carnival 2024 pin badge sales to Anthony Nolan.
