60 years of Notting Hill Carnival

For 60 years, Notting Hill Carnival has been a landmark of west London, showcasing the very best of London’s Caribbean community, from culture and creativity to music, dancing, cuisine and more. 

Carnival now attracts around two million people every year. But before it became one of the biggest cultural events in Britain, its history was rooted not only in celebration and community, but also in activism and resistance, responding to the racial tensions of the 1950s. 

Where it all began 

The seeds of Carnival were planted in the late 1950s, following the Notting Hill race riots of 1958. Trinidadian human rights activist Claudia Jones organised an indoor ‘Caribbean Carnival’ at St Pancras Town Hall in 1959.

The first outdoor festival took place on the streets of Notting Hill in 1966, organised by local resident and social worker Rhaune Laslett.

Rhaune wanted the festival to introduce the different cultural groups of Notting Hill to each other’s customs, bring more colour to the streets and challenge perceptions of the area as deprived.  

The celebrations included Trinidadian musician Russell Henderson and fellow steel pan musicians, who brought the sound of steel pan to the streets of Notting Hill and through Portobello Road.

The event was a huge success.

Over the years, Notting Hill Carnival has grown considerably, with generations of artists, musicians, organisers and local people helping make it the celebration it is today.

The National Lottery is proud to have funded projects connected to Notting Hill Carnival since 1994.

This support has helped fund everything from steel bands and sound systems to costume design, arts projects and workshops, as well as initiatives that celebrate Carnival's rich history and legacy, including the Carnival Village Trust, which plans and delivers the event.