Notting Hill and Leeds West Indian Carnivals returns this August Bank Holiday as two of the longest running street parties in the UK and the largest street parties in Europe, will see millions of people, including thousands of tourists, attending both parades through west London and West Yorkshire, which will be showcasing the best of mas dancing, Soca, Calypso, Steel Bands and Sound Systems.
Marking its 55th year, the three-day Notting Hill celebration will have the family-friendly children's parade, which sees kids dancing in the streets in their homemade carnival costumes, Mas (masquerade), hundreds of food stalls, including Jamaican jerk chicken, Trinidadian roti and Guyanese pepper pot. And for those who love to dance in the street but do not want to be "on di road" then sound systems are where it's at. Notting Hill Carnival's sound-system tradition is rooted in Jamaican culture and reggae music, but there’s also everything from rare groove to house to samba to rock the weekend away.
This year will also be the second time the Leeds West Indian Carnival has been held since the pandemic restrictions were lifted and it too will see streets lined with people in colourful costumes, dancing to Soca music and enjoying the lively atmosphere. Taking place this Bank Holiday Monday, there too will also see plenty of delicious Caribbean food, which always proves a hit with locals and visitors alike.
Famous for its colourful costumes that bring the wow factor to the city, the Leeds West Indian Carnival will not be complete without plenty of noise, so grabbing a whistle or horn is essential, with visitors blowing to the music and showing their appreciation for the costumers that pass by.
So, whether it is west London, West Yorkshire, or wherever else there is one, this Bank Holiday is all about music, food and much fun.
