he sun is shining for the second and final day of this year’s Notting Hill Carnival.
Bright smiles, detailed costumes and plenty of dancing were seen as the Children’s Day Parade on Saturday wound its way through W10.
Organisers, who billed the carnival as “the greatest community-led event on the planet,” said of the children’s parade: “It’s an undeniable joy to see the next generation carrying the carnival baton – dancing in the streets wearing their carefully crafted costumes.”
Attendees also paid tribute to the 72 people who died in the Grenfell Tower fire, in a nearby block of flats in North Kensington in June 2017, with a 72-second silence which began at 3pm.
More than two million people are set to take part over the weekend as the carnival marks two landmark anniversaries – the docking of the Empire Windrush 75 years ago and the introduction of sound systems to the parade 50 years ago.
The carnival, Europe’s biggest street party, helps celebrate Caribbean culture and history.
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Thank you for joining our live coverage of the first day of the Notting Hill Carnival 2023.
For an overview of the day’s events, please visit here.
Notting Hill Carnival ‘good natured’ but 24 arrests made, say police
The Met Police have said that the mood at Notting Hill Carnival has been “good natured” throughout the day but that 24 arrests have been made in the Carnival area.
The force said that as the event moved into the evening, additional stop and search powers had been authorised as a precautionary step after the arrests, some of which were for possession of an offensive weapon.
Of the 24 arrests, suspected offences included being drunk and disorderly, possession of drugs, sexual assault and assault on an emergency worker, said police.
“This a precautionary step which does not change our policing approach,” said the Met. “Officers will continue to use their powers respectfully and sensitively as they have been doing throughout the event so far.”
Pictured: Revellers covered in paint powder after Children’s Day Parade
Revellers have been pictured being covered in paint powder after the Children’s Day Parade, the first day of the Notting Hill Carnival.
Pictured: Large crowds at Notting Hill Carnival
Large crowds are on the streets of west London to celebrate the carnival.
Carnival-goers observe silence for Grenfell Tower victims
Carnival-goers observed a 72-second silence at 3pm in memory of those who lost their lives in the Grenfell Tower fire.
In a tweet, the carnival said: “72 Second Silence: Please remember to observe a 72-second silence at 3pm in honour of those who died in the Grenfell fire.
“We ask all attendees, participating bands and sound systems to work with us as organisers and the community to help pay our respects.”
Notting Hill Carnival brings ‘unity in the community’
Notting Hill Carnival is all about “unity in the community”, revellers taking part in the street party have said.
“It’s all about unity in the community because that’s what Carnival brings, it brings all the unity to carnival to celebrate two days of fun and enjoyment,” Michael Lamond, owner of Rough But Sweet Sound System, which performs at Carnival every year, told Sky News.
His colleague, Elizabeth Broderick, added: “It brings all walks of life, all genres of music, all types of art, together for two days of celebration.”
Revellers wearing stilts at the Notting Hill Carnival
/ APTfL’s travel advice as Tube closures in place for Notting Hill Carnival
TfL is advising revellers hoping to travel to the Carnival to avoid Oxford Circus, Notting Hill Gate, Westbourne Park and Holland Park stations because they are extremely busy.
Instead, Londoners are being advised to use Paddington or Shepherd’s Bush stations and walk to the event, as these are less crowded.
Ladbroke Grove station is closed, and other stations in the area are exit only to manage congestion.
These include Notting Hill Gate, where the District and Circle lines will not stop until 6pm, Westbourne Park, Holland Park and Royal Oak.
For more information, visit the TfL website here.
More pictures from Children’s Day Parade
Sound systems descend on Notting Hill
Following the Children’s Day Parade, the sound systems element has begun playing everything from Rare Groove to House to Samba.
Extensive road closures due to carnival
Extensive road closures are in place both today and tomorrow due to the carnival, Transport for London has said.
