Notting Hill dancers don brightly coloured outfits as millions celebrate Europe’s biggest street party
NOTTING HILL dancers wore brightly coloured outfits as millions flocked to celebrate Europe’s biggest street party.
Stunning performers donned bright feathered headdresses and bejewelled costumes at Carnival as West London exploded in a sea of colour.
The annual festival is building to its climax, with DJs promising a even better party than yesterday.
The first day of the party saw revellers celebrating the ‘J’ouvert’ – a Caribbean tradition that marks the “opening of the day” and the start of Notting Hill Carnival.
And partygoers in equally bright outfits began flooding to the area early this morning to get the festival back underway on Bank Holiday Monday.
Floats blared music as partygoers made their way through London to enjoy a breath-taking celebration of food and music.
Pictures show the narrow streets around Ladbroke Grove teeming with bright colours as party-loving people got into the spirit of things.
Attendees were seen having a blast atop floats followed by feathered mas bands dancing to the beat in the sunshine.
Multiple dancers were seen showing off flamboyant dresses complete with full wings as they swayed to the beat of the drums.
And energetic performers on stilts wowed onlookers as they put on an incredible show.
Face paint, music and good vibes were all in abundance as the capital continued to get busier around lunchtime.
The sweet, smoky scent of jerk chicken had already filled the air as the first eager spectators gathered on the pavements this morning.
Even if you are not part of a band or procession, the event has asked festival-goers to grab a whistle or a horn and jump up and dance as the floats pass by.
A Windrush themed double-decker bus is running at the Notting Hill Carnival to mark the 75th anniversary of the HMT Empire Windrush.
The bus is part of the Transport for London (TfL) float during the parade, and features artwork from the artist Barry Carberry.
Ahead of the event, London Mayor Sadiq Khan expressed his joy about the festival returning once m,ore.
He said: “Notting Hill Carnival is one of the world’s biggest street festivals, and is part of the very fabric of our city.
“The community-led celebration of Caribbean history and culture embodies everything that makes London the greatest city in the world and, as we continue to work to build a fairer, more prosperous city for all, I’m delighted that it’s back, bigger and better than ever.”
Mr Khan said that this’s year event will be “extra special” as “we mark the 75th anniversary of the arrival of HMT Empire Windrush”.
The annual festival is expected to draw in more than two million visitors across the weekend.
Cops said last night that the mood at carnival had been “good-natured throughout the day” despite a few arrests.
It comes after a Section 60 order, providing officers with additional search powers, was introduced shortly after 6pm yesterday in an effort to “prevent violence” and “keep Carnival-goers safe”.