How to survive Notting Hill Carnival 2015 as a backpacker!

Read our tips on what to see and do at Notting Hill Carnival 2015.

Notting Hill Carnival is a mind blowing street party and gala highlight of the London festival season. Taking place on the Sunday and Monday of the August bank holiday weekend, the carnival dates back to the mid-sixties and was originally organised by Caribbean immigrants who settled in the area in the 1950s.

Europe's biggest street festival now attracts up to one million people over two days to celebrate a feast of Caribbean music, food and dance. Backpackers travelling in London this month will have the experience of a lifetime at Carnival.

There will be more than thirty sound systems performing this year and thousands of Londoners will be “twerking” to salsa beats for two wonderful days!

When is Notting Hill Carnival?

Carnival takes places from (6am – yes that’s right!) Sunday August 30 until Monday August 31 2015.

Sunday kicks off with J’Ouvert, a fun opening with dance, singing and steel bands from 6am until 9am. The Sunday Parade gets under way at 10am and continues until 8.30pm. Bank Holiday Monday is the main day, and the celebrations go on into the early hours of Tuesday morning.

Where does Notting Hill Carnival take place?

Carnival takes place in Notting Hill in West London. The nearest tube stations are Notting Hill Gate, Holland Park and Ladbroke Grove.

What is Notting Hill Carnival?

Since the 1960s, London’s Caribbean communities have taken to Notting Hill to celebrate their culture and traditions in a two-day street festival. Featuring live drums, reggae tunes to salsa beats, Carnival’s celebrations also include floats, steel bands and some of the best jerk chicken in London.

Lasting up to seven hours, the procession involves parades, marches and dances taking place across Notting Hill. Carnival is packed full of revellers clad in glittering bikinis, feather costumes and strikingly outlandish costumes. Caribbean steel drums can be heard throughout the day and there will be plenty of food stalls to entertain visitors too.

What are the best sound systems this year?

Most of the sound systems are free to enjoy, but if you have to pick one then check out the Latin Rave Street Jam, which is the only Latin music sound system performing live at Carnival this year. Drink lots of rum, grab your friends and shake your saucy salsa booty until 6am…

Where are the best places to eat and drink?

There will be around thirty street food stalls at the festival. Jerk chicken and rum will be the order of the day. Here are some of the foodie highlights you need to check out:

Mama’s Jerk Station – Serving delicious jerk chicken in wraps and individual portions, you’ll be in culinary heaven queuing up at this trendy London street food outlet.

Boom Burger – This legendary Jamaican brand will be serving jerk chicken burgers and wings throughout the carnival

Where are the cheapest places to stay?

Notting Hill Hostel is one of West London's most popular hostels, situated in the heart of Bayswater. It has clean, attractive dorms and is within walking distance of Carnival. Likewise the Royal Bayswater Hotel is equally close and overlooks Hyde Park if you ever want to take a break from the festivities!

What should I wear to Notting Hill Carnival?

Female travellers shouldn’t wear high heels or sandals as your feet will get stamped on by the crowds. It’s going to be incredibly busy so wear sensible footwear if you can. On a fun note, this is Carnival so make sure you dress brightly and embrace glitter, feathers and face paint.

Other top tips for Carnival

1) Make sure you have a pre-arranged meeting point in case you get lost. Also please remember because of the huge volume of people, smartphones often don’t work and you might not be able to use What’s App!

2) Bring cash as all the local cash machines run out long before Carnival even starts

3) Take a bottle of water and make sure you stay hydrated. Also bear in mind that it can be difficult to find a toilet because of the crowds.

4) No-one actually calls it ‘the Notting Hill Carnival’. Stay cool and just say ‘carnival’.

5) Make sure you have lots of fun!

*Jerk chicken image taken by Matt Spur via Flickr