As Notting Hill Carnival comes to town for another year, stunning archive pictures have been revealed showing Europe’s biggest street party in years.
For more than 50 years, Carnival has attracted attendees from across the city, the UK and the world for a vibrant celebration of Caribbean culture.
Millions descend on W11 for the Bank Holiday event, taking advantage of bucket loads of juicy chicken, gallons of rum, mammoth sound systems and incredible street parties.
The festival also includes stunning parades, calypso music, steel bands and some of the best atmospheres of the year.
To celebrate this year’s event, the Standard has unearthed stunning archive photographs in the above gallery of the west London Carnival over the years.
An archive photograph from 1972 shows patrons dancing to music from steel drums, while another from 1980 shows a boy sitting on the shoulders of a policeman in his hat.
Another black and white image shows the crowded streets in 1984 and a colorful sign displayed during a 2004 parade to mark the festival’s 40th year.
As tradition dictates, Notting Hill Carnival takes place over the August Bank Holiday weekend.
Sunday is the most relaxed family day, welcoming children to participate and enjoy the parade, while Monday is known as the biggest day for celebrations.
This year, the festivities start bright and early with the J’ouvert celebration at 6am on Sunday 25 August, officially ending at 10pm on Monday 26 August.
The route for this year’s parade is the same as in previous years. The 3.5 mile route starts on the Great Western Road and finishes at the top end of Ladbroke Grove, close to Kensal Green Cemetery.
Click here for everything you need to know about this year’s event.
