Notting Hill Carnival 2020 cancelled due to COVID-19
The Notting Hill Carnival is an annual event featuring amazing sound systems and a weekend parade … that has taken place in London since the mid-1960s in Notting Hill. About one million people usually attend the event in west London, which was due to take place on 30 and 31 August.
For the first time since it first began over 50 years ago. The Notting Hill Carnival has been cancelled, citing “Everyone’s health has to come first.” I am personally looking forward to the alternate NHC 2020 to celebrate the carnival from the safety of our own homes!
A statement on behalf of the board of Notting Hill Carnival Ltd.
“Like all events around the world, the COVID-19 pandemic has meant that Notting Hill Carnival has faced many challenges this year. After lengthy consultations with our strategic partners and our Advisory Council, the Board has taken the decision that this year’s Carnival will not take place on the streets of Notting Hill as it has done for over 50 years. This will also mean that Panorama, the annual steel band competition, will not take place.
Notting Hill Carnival was founded to bring people together during trying times, and we intend to continue that legacy. We are working towards an alternate NHC 2020 that we hope will bring the Carnival spirit to people from the safety of their homes, and make them feel connected and engaged.
This has not been an easy decision to make, but the reality of the COVID-19 pandemic and the way in which it has unfolded means that this is the only safe option. Everyone’s health has to come first.
We also have no wish to place extra strain on our colleagues at St John Ambulance and the NHS. We, of course, work very closely with them for Carnival and want to take this opportunity to express our utmost respect, admiration and gratitude for their work.
We are still at the early stages of planning for Notting Hill Carnival 2020 in its temporary form. We will share more information on how it will take shape soon. We will now be working closely with our partners, the Carnival community and others to deliver a celebration of Carnival culture and arts for the whole nation over the August bank holiday weekend.
We look forward to welcoming you back to the streets of Notting Hill in 2021.”