Notting Hill Carnival is here. Everything you need to know from dates and maps to transport advice

NOTTING Hill Carnival will bring a spectacle of colour and music to the streets of west London this weekend.

Europe's largest street party is expected to attract more than a million people to the capital and we've got everything you need to know.

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What is Notting Hill Carnival?

Notting Hill Carnival transforms the streets of west London into a sea of colour and music.

Performers dance through the streets as carnival-goers enjoy traditional Caribbean food and drink while soaking up the atmosphere.

Last year's event attracted more than a million people.

When does it take place?

Sunday August 28 and Bank Holiday Monday.

Sunday is Children's Day, so expect a colourful parade and musical entertainment for youngsters.

Entertainment starts at 10am and continues until 8.30pm.

Children's Day is the relaxed start to the carnival - although still expect huge crowds.

On Bank Holiday Monday the carnival kicks off at 10am and continues until 8.30pm.

This is the main event. The Grand Finale parade sees more than 60 bands, 38 sound systems and countless dancers on floats travel through the streets.

There will also be lots of music, food and dancing in the surrounding streets.

Where is the carnival held?

In the west London streets of Notting Hill, Ladbroke Grove and Westbourne Park.

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How do I get there?

Tube:

• Ladbroke Grove station will be closed on both Sunday and Monday.
• Latimer Road Station will be open until 11.30pm on Sunday, but closed on Bank Holiday Monday.
• Notting Hill Gate station will be exit-only between 11am and 7pm. Circle and District Line trains will not be stopping at the stations.
• Westbourne Park will be exit only between 11am and 6pm on Sunday. It will be closed from 11.30pm on Sunday and through Monday.
• Royal Oak will be exit only after 11am on Sunday. It will close at 6pm on Sunday and remain closed on Bank Holiday Monday.
• Other stations close to the carnival are Bayswater, Paddington, High Street Kensington, Holland Park, Queen's Park and Shepherd's Bush.
• Some stations may be closed temporarily if overcrowding becomes a problem.
• If you're travelling from outside London check routes as disruption is expected.

Buses:

• Buses will be diverted from 5am on Sunday to about 5am on Tuesday as roads are closed for the carnival.
• The closest stops to the carnival will be the Prince of Wales on Harrow Road and Notting Hill Gate.
• There will be extra buses serving the carnival, but remember to check your route as 28 routes will be affected by a bus strike.

The history of Notting Hill Carnival

The Notting Hill Carnival is the largest street party in Europe.

It began in 1964 as a way for Afro-Caribbean communities to celebrate their cultures and traditions.

The carnival's roots lie in the Caribbean carnivals of the early 19th century.

Carnivals were a particularly strong tradition in Trinidad and celebrated the abolition of slavery and the slave trade.

Having been forbidden to hold festivals during periods of slavery Trinidadians dressed in costumes that mimicked European fashions.

The first carnival held in west London aimed to showcase the steel band musicians who played in Earl's Court.

As the band paraded through the street the Afro-Caribbean communities came out on the streets to listen.

The carnival has become bigger and more extravagant with each passing year.

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The controversy behind the carnival

Along with a huge amount of loyal supporters Notting Hill Carnival attracts its fair share of controversy, particularly related to crime at the two day event.

Last year more than 400 people were arrested and 21 police officers assaulted.

One man in his 20s made headlines after he was pictured bleeding heavily - he was believed to have been brutally attacked with a bottle.

Officers also seized laughing gas worth £17,000 and £30,000 worth of counterfeit alcohol at last year's event.

Despite shocking headlines organisers and police insist that it is just a small minority who look to cause trouble at the event.

In recent years police have run an operation targeting gang members in the lead up to the event, in an attempt to stop them attending.

Five facts about the carnival

• Notting Hill Carnival is the second biggest in the world - behind only Carnival in Rio de Janeiro.
• The Notting Hill Carnival is estimated to contribute about £93million to London's economy - policing costs are estimated as £6million.
• There are about 15,000 costumes on display at the carnival each year.
• Every costume is made by hand. Making them all is more than one million hours of work.
• About 30 million sequins, 15,000 feather plumes and 30 litres of body paint are used each year.

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