Prepare for a weekend of music and fun

REVELLERS are gearing up for Europe’s biggest celebration of music, dance and cultural diversity at the Notting Hill Carnival this August Bank Holiday.
More than 1.5 million visitors are expected to attend the festival this year, which will see performances from thousands of musicians, dancers and masquerade bands.
Carnival festivities will begin this Saturday afternoon in Hyde Park with the National Panorama Championship, with ten of the country’s top steelbands competing for the title of ‘National Champions of Steel’.
Starting at 4pm near Speaker’s Corner, the competition features the popular Mangrove Steel Band, CSI Steelband Trust and Ebony Steel Orchestra, with the Antiguan Halcyon Steel Band making a special guest appearance.
Sunday morning kicks off at 9am with the Notting Hill Carnival Children’s day parade, which aims to encourage active participation from young people.
Children will get the chance to compete in the On the Road Junior Costume Competition, with categories including King, Queen and Best Band.
The adult’s costume competition follows the next day, with both days featuring Calypso and soca music, steel bands, static sound systems and masquerade bands – processions and decorated floats which are accompanied by mobile sound systems and dancers.
The ‘Soca on the move’ competition, supported by the Caribbean Music Association, also takes place on Sunday and Monday.
Notting Hill Carnival’s lead director Chris Boothman said: “No other event in the UK comes close to matching the artistic spectacle and wonder of the Notting Hill Carnival with its exotic mix of dance, music, food and street entertainment.
“Carnival is a free day out that gives revellers the chance to come together in a celebration of diversity and a kaleidoscope of colour, sound and aroma that envelops the streets of Notting Hill.”
As well as upholding the tradition of celebrating Caribbean culture, the carnival also supports the African Caribbean Leukaemia Trust and encourages carnival visitors to register as a donor as part of their day’s rewarding activities.
London Mayor Boris Johnson said: “I’m delighted to be supporting the Notting Hill Carnival, which is woven into the fabric of London life.
“It’s a magnificent example of the energy and colour that make our city such an exciting place to live.”