Notting Hill Carnival 2013: How To Get The Most Out Of The August Bank Holiday Weekend | HuffPost

Notting Hill Carnival 2013: How To Get The Most Out Of The August Bank Holiday Weekend

Sara C Nelson — Huffington Post UK

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SEE ALSO
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It’s that time of year again folks! Yes, this Bank Holiday weekend sees the Notting Hill Carnival roll out its annual smorgasbord of dancing, music and general revelry.

Held every August since 1966, the two-day party has become the largest festival celebration of its kind in Europe.

Sadly, showers and lower temperatures are forecast for the weekend – though such gloom is unlikely to put a dampener on the street celebrations.

Dancing in the streets: Scenes from last year's carnival

We’ve collated a list of must-read websites before you go - giving you the most up-to-date information on travel options, live music, parties and food.

The Notting Hill Carnival official website should be your first port of call for information on what, when and where.
More than a million people are expected to visit the carnival over the weekend - check TfL's website for advice on getting there and any line and station closures.
Have a misty-eyed flick through these snaps by the carnival's official photographer Timothy N Holt, who has been snapping the celebration for the last ten years.
Join the BBC's Eddie Nestor as he broadcasts live from the event.
TimeOut has rounded up a decent selection of useful tips on how to manage the crowds and general safety advice.

So in a nutshell, have fun, stay safe and pack a brolly just in case.

Are you going to the carnival? Send your snaps #nottinghill to ukpicturedesk@huffingtonpost.com

Notting Hill Carnival 2012

Notting Hill Carnival 2012(01 of30)

Performers in costume prepare take part in the Notting Hill Carnival, London. (credit:Lewis Whyld/PA Wire)

Notting Hill Carnival 2012(02 of30)

The Paraiso School of Samba prepare take part in the Notting Hill Carnival, London. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Monday August 27, 2012. See PA story SOCIAL Carnival. Photo credit should read: Lewis Whyld/PA Wire (credit:Lewis Whyld/PA Wire)

Notting Hill Carnival 2012(03 of30)

The Paraiso School of Samba take part in the Notting Hill Carnival, London. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Monday August 27, 2012. See PA story SOCIAL Carnival. Photo credit should read: Lewis Whyld/PA Wire (credit:Lewis Whyld/PA Wire)

Notting Hill Carnival 2012(04 of30)

The Paraiso School of Samba take part in the Notting Hill Carnival, London. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Monday August 27, 2012. See PA story SOCIAL Carnival. Photo credit should read: Lewis Whyld/PA Wire (credit:Lewis Whyld/PA Wire)

Notting Hill Carnival 2012(05 of30)

The Paraiso School of Samba take part in the Notting Hill Carnival, London. (credit:Lewis Whyld/PA Wire)

The Annual Notting Hill Carnival Celebrations Take Place(06 of30)

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 27: A member of the Paraiso School of Samba checks her costume before performing at the Notting Hill Carnival on August 27, 2012 in London, England. The annual 2-day carnival, which is the largest of its kind in Europe and is expected to attract around 1 million revellers, has taken place every August Bank Holiday since 1966. (Photo by Oli Scarff/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)

The Annual Notting Hill Carnival Celebrations Take Place(07 of30)

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 27: Members of the Paraiso School of Samba prepare to perform at the Notting Hill Carnival on August 27, 2012 in London, England. The annual 2-day carnival, which is the largest of its kind in Europe and is expected to attract around 1 million revellers, has taken place every August Bank Holiday since 1966. (Photo by Oli Scarff/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)

The Annual Notting Hill Carnival Celebrations Take Place(08 of30)

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 27: A member of the Paraiso School of Samba helps adjust a fellow performer's costume before dancing in the Notting Hill Carnival on August 27, 2012 in London, England. The annual 2-day carnival, which is the largest of its kind in Europe and is expected to attract around 1 million revellers, has taken place every August Bank Holiday since 1966. (Photo by Oli Scarff/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)

The Annual Notting Hill Carnival Celebrations Take Place(09 of30)

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 27: A member of the Paraiso School of Samba takes a photograph before performing at the Notting Hill Carnival on August 27, 2012 in London, England. The annual 2-day carnival, which is the largest of its kind in Europe and is expected to attract around 1 million revellers, has taken place every August Bank Holiday since 1966. (Photo by Oli Scarff/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)

The Annual Notting Hill Carnival Celebrations Take Place(10 of30)

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 27: The 'Queen' on the Paraiso School of Samba's float prepares to perform at the Notting Hill Carnival on August 27, 2012 in London, England. The annual 2-day carnival, which is the largest of its kind in Europe and is expected to attract around 1 million revellers, has taken place every August Bank Holiday since 1966. (Photo by Oli Scarff/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)

The Annual Notting Hill Carnival Celebrations Take Place(11 of30)

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 27: Members of the Paraiso School of Samba checks their costume before performing at the Notting Hill Carnival on August 27, 2012 in London, England. The annual 2-day carnival, which is the largest of its kind in Europe and is expected to attract around 1 million revellers, has taken place every August Bank Holiday since 1966. (Photo by Oli Scarff/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)

The Annual Notting Hill Carnival Celebrations Take Place(12 of30)

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 27: Members of the Paraiso School of Samba prepare to perform at the Notting Hill Carnival on August 27, 2012 in London, England. The annual 2-day carnival, which is the largest of its kind in Europe and is expected to attract around 1 million revellers, has taken place every August Bank Holiday since 1966. (Photo by Oli Scarff/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)

Notting Hill Carnival 2012(13 of30)

Dancers take part in the Notting Hill Carnival in west London. (credit:Lewis Whyld/PA Wire)

Notting Hill Carnival 2012(14 of30)

Police Sergeant Siobhan Elliot dances with revellers at the Notting Hill Carnival in west London. (credit:Lewis Whyld/PA Wire)

Notting Hill Carnival 2012(15 of30)

One of the dances takes part in the Notting Hill Carnival in west London. (credit:Lewis Whyld/PA Wire)

Notting Hill Carnival 2012(16 of30)

One of the dances with a police officer takes part in the Notting Hill Carnival in west London. (credit:Lewis Whyld/PA Wire)

Notting Hill Carnival 2012(17 of30)

A policeman with paint on his face at the Notting Hill Carnival in west London. (credit:Lewis Whyld/PA Wire)

Notting Hill Carnival 2012(18 of30)

Police Sergeant Siobhan Elliot dances with revellers at the Notting Hill Carnival in west London. (credit:Lewis Whyld/PA Wire)

Notting Hill Carnival 2012(19 of30)

Police with performers during the Notting Hill Carnival, London. (credit:Lewis Whyld/PA Wire)

Notting Hill Carnival 2012(20 of30)

The Paraiso School of Samba prepare take part in the Notting Hill Carnival, London. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Monday August 27, 2012. See PA story SOCIAL Carnival. Photo credit should read: Lewis Whyld/PA Wire (credit:Lewis Whyld/PA Wire)

Notting Hill Carnival 2012(21 of30)

Dancers take part in the Notting Hill Carnival in west London. (credit:Lewis Whyld/PA Wire)

Notting Hill Carnival 2012(22 of30)

One of the dances takes part in the Notting Hill Carnival in west London. (credit:Lewis Whyld/PA Wire)

Notting Hill Carnival 2012(23 of30)

One of the dances takes part in the Notting Hill Carnival in west London. (credit:Lewis Whyld/PA Wire)

Notting Hill Carnival 2012(24 of30)

Performers during the Notting Hill Carnival, London. (credit:Lewis Whyld/PA Wire)

Notting Hill Carnival 2012(25 of30)

Performers during the Notting Hill Carnival, London. (credit:Lewis Whyld/PA Wire)

The Annual Notting Hill Carnival Celebrations Take Place(26 of30)

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 27: Drummers perform at the Notting Hill Carnival on August 27, 2012 in London, England. The annual 2-day carnival, which is the largest of its kind in Europe and is expected to attract around 1 million revellers, has taken place every August Bank Holiday since 1966. (Photo by Oli Scarff/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)

The Annual Notting Hill Carnival Celebrations Take Place(27 of30)

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 27: Revellers perform at the Notting Hill Carnival on August 27, 2012 in London, England. The annual 2-day carnival, which is the largest of its kind in Europe and is expected to attract around 1 million revellers, has taken place every August Bank Holiday since 1966. (Photo by Oli Scarff/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)

The Annual Notting Hill Carnival Celebrations Take Place(28 of30)

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 27: Revellers perform at the Notting Hill Carnival on August 27, 2012 in London, England. The annual 2-day carnival, which is the largest of its kind in Europe and is expected to attract around 1 million revellers, has taken place every August Bank Holiday since 1966. (Photo by Oli Scarff/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)

The Annual Notting Hill Carnival Celebrations Take Place(29 of30)

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 27: Metropolitan Police Commissioner Bernard Hogan-Howe (L) chats with a police officer at the Notting Hill Carnival on August 27, 2012 in London, England. The annual 2-day carnival, which is the largest of its kind in Europe and is expected to attract around 1 million revellers, has taken place every August Bank Holiday since 1966. (Photo by Oli Scarff/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)

The Annual Notting Hill Carnival Celebrations Take Place(30 of30)

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 27: Revellers perform at the Notting Hill Carnival on August 27, 2012 in London, England. The annual 2-day carnival, which is the largest of its kind in Europe and is expected to attract around 1 million revellers, has taken place every August Bank Holiday since 1966. (Photo by Oli Scarff/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)

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