Mayor pledges £4.66m for 60th Notting Hill Carnival

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has announced a significant £4.66 million funding boost to ensure the Notting Hill Carnival can safely celebrate its 60th anniversary this August Bank Holiday (August 29th–31st).

The investment follows an independent safety review which highlighted the need for enhanced security and crowd management as the event continues to grow. This new package is in addition to nearly £950,000 already committed by City Hall.

The community-led celebration of Caribbean history and culture has grown to become one of the world’s biggest street festivals, boosting the economy by nearly £400m as it draws Londoners and visitors from around the world to west London every August Bank Holiday weekend.

With the organisers facing a lack of funding options in time for this August’s event, the mayor has stepped forward to provide further funding for this year, in addition to the regular annual support that City Hall already provides.

The funding will help the organisers to deliver the required improvements to deal with potential crowding, including increased barriers, stewarding and crowd management plans, and also includes support to develop future income opportunities to reduce the need for additional public funds.

The mayor said: “Notting Hill Carnival is one of our capital’s biggest events, drawing Londoners and visitors from across the globe to west London every year in a fantastic celebration of Caribbean culture.

“The community-led event has become one of the world’s largest street festivals, boosting our economy by nearly £400m each year and symbolising how our capital celebrates our diversity.

“However, as identified in an independent review, its incredible growth has meant that changes are needed to improve safety and security for all those involved. As organisers prepare to celebrate the 60th anniversary this August, I’m stepping in with the support that they need to meet their requirements and ensure that this hugely important event for our capital can take place, as we build a better London for everyone.”

Ian Comfort, Chair of Notting Hill Carnival Ltd, said: “As chair of Notting Hill Carnival, we welcome the mayor’s vital support, which ensures that we can deliver a safe, spectacular and sustainable Carnival in this 60th anniversary year. Notting Hill Carnival is one of the most significant cultural events in the United Kingdom, and we are grateful to City Hall for its continued commitment on behalf of the community.

“From its beginnings in September 1966, when Rhaune Laslett sought to bring unity to a neighbourhood marked by racial tension, poor housing and social division, Carnival has grown from a small local street party into a global cultural institution. Today it attracts more than two million people and contributes close to £400 million to London’s economy each year. That growth brings immense pride and a profound responsibility to ensure the event remains safe, resilient and true to its origins.

“The funding announced today will allow us to introduce the enhanced safety and operational measures required at this scale. It will also enable us to assume specific operational responsibilities that have historically been managed by the Metropolitan Police, allowing them to focus on their core policing duties during the event. This development sits alongside the long‑standing collaboration between the Greater London Authority, the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea and Westminster City Council, all of whom provide essential support and funding to ensure Carnival can be delivered safely and successfully for the community. Their continued partnership remains central to the stewardship of this event.

”Carnival’s scale brings with it both opportunities and responsibilities. It has a transformative effect on London, showcasing the creativity, heritage and cultural expression that define the event and draw visitors from across the world. At the same time, we remain mindful of the event’s impact on the local area and are committed to working with care and respect for those who live and work in Notting Hill. Through close collaboration with our partners and the community, we will continue to deliver Carnival in a way that honours the legacy established by Rhaune Laslett while ensuring its future for generations to come.

For more information and to plan your visit, head to the official site at nhcarnival.org