Millions of Londoners are set to hit the streets for Notting Hill Carnival this bank holiday weekend to enjoy Europe's biggest street party, despite earlier concerns over safety and funding that threatened the event's future. The cultural landmark, running since 1959, faced potential cancellation after organisers commissioned a safety review that revealed serious funding shortfalls and organisational problems.
Emergency funding was secured from Kensington and Chelsea Council, Westminster City Council and the Greater London Authority to meet safety recommendations for 2025. The review exposed additional organisational shortfalls, inadequate risk assessments and the absence of a clear site plan.
Kensington and Chelsea Council provided £232,000 in grant funding, plus an additional £25,618 for seaside trips for 21 older residents to avoid carnival disruption. Deputy leader Kim Taylor-Smith said: "Following Government funding proposals, this Council is now facing significant funding pressures over the next three years, with budget gaps of around £80 million. So we have to be really clear that this is additional funding for this year only."
Safety Challenges
The Metropolitan Police fully supported the independent safety review after crowd density reached dangerous levels in recent years. A Met Police spokesperson said: "The Met fully supported the event organisers' decision to commission an independent review into crowd safety after the number of situations in recent years where crowd density reached dangerous levels. It was welcome news that some additional funding was secured to allow the organisers to implement a number of the review's recommendations, but they have only had a limited time to do so meaning it's inevitable not all the risks will have been mitigated. Crowd safety remains a serious concern that must be carefully monitored and managed this year."
Last year alone, 61 officers were assaulted at the carnival, prompting police to warn they will take "decisive action" against anybody targeting officers at this year's event. According to City A.M, the carnival has seen 55 stabbing incidents since 2017, with 350 violent and sexual offences recorded in 2024 alone.
The annual policing operation costs £11.8 million and requires 7,000 officers - representing one-fifth of the Met's total establishment, City A.M reports. These figures highlight the massive security challenge facing authorities as millions prepare to attend.
Event Schedule
Transport for London urged people to plan journeys in advance as stations could be much busier than usual. Night Tube and Night Overground services will not run on Sunday or Monday nights.
Festivities kick off at 4pm on Saturday at Emslie Horniman's Pleasance park, followed by a steel band competition. The Adults parade, dubbed the "Dutty Mas", runs from 12pm to 8.30pm on Saturday, while static sound systems and street food stalls will operate throughout the area.
Monday will feature more parades from 10am to 8.30pm, alongside live music and street vending across the carnival route.
Sources used: "PA Media", "The Standard", "City A.M" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
