Notting Hill Carnival’s children’s parade kicked off on Sunday morning, filling the streets of west London with colour and sound.
Musicians and dancers in bright costumes paraded along the streets, as the largest street party in Europe got under way.
The day began with an explosion of colour as revellers met for J’ouvert at 06:00 BST ahead of the children’s parade, with the streets awash with bright paint and powder.
J’ouvert, which means “daybreak” or “opening of the day” in French Creole, marks the start of the Carnival celebrations across the Bank Holiday weekend.
More than a million people are expected to attend Carnival over the weekend.
Sunday’s festivities will continue with sound systems and live stages of music.
Reuters
Reuters
ReutersCarnival organisers say the event’s sound system tradition is rooted in Jamaican culture and Reggae music.
Genres including rare groove, house and samba are expected to be played out across the day.
Live stages will be held in Emslie Horniman’s Pleasance Park and Powis Square from noon.
The event continues on Monday with the adults parade, more live stages and sound systems.
Reuters
ReutersOn both days, there will be a 72-second silence at 15:00 to remember the 72 lives lost in the Grenfell Tower fire, as well as those who have died at Carnival in recent years and Kelso Cochrane whose murder in 1959 became one of the catalysts for the event.
The annual celebration has been running for more than 50 years.
