Revelers gathered on Sunday for the opening of the festival which has become one of the biggest in the world.
The Mayor of London said in a statement to mark the occasion: “I am delighted that Notting Hill Carnival is returning to the streets of West London this weekend.
“This community-led celebration of Caribbean history and culture has become one of the largest street festivals in the world and part of the very fabric of this city.
“I urge everyone planning to attend the Carnival to arrive early to make the most of this wonderful celebration of our capital’s diversity.”
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An investigation has been launched after a police horse on duty at the carnival collapsed and died at around 9pm, Scotland Yard said.
The animal received emergency care, but a force spokesman said it was too early to determine the cause of death.
As of 7.30pm on Sunday, police had made 38 arrests for offenses including assault, public order, sexual assault, drugs, possession of an offensive weapon, drink driving and theft.
Separately, two people suffered minor injuries when a bus shelter collapsed.
Pictures online showed several revelers standing and dancing on its roof.
A large crowd can be heard gasping and exclaiming in shock as the group tumbled over the top of the shelter.
Performers during the children’s parade (Victoria Jones/PA)
/ Wire PA
Farah Mokaddem, 32, traveled from Geneva to attend the Notting Hill Carnival.
She said: “I’ve always wanted to go here. The atmosphere is very lively: everyone is on their balconies and on the terrace. And people of all ages are people-watching.”
Carina Charles said people were “ecstatic” about the return of carnival after the pandemic.
The 40-year-old nurse, from Basildon, said: “I like the people coming together and the culture mixing.
“My Caribbean music, Soca music, is what I like the most.”
He added: “Everyone is jovial – they are excited after coming out of lockdown after three years.
“Everyone is delighted with the return of carnival after confinement.”
On Sunday morning, a large crowd gathered for the J’Ouvert celebrations, where revelers sprayed each other with paint and colored powder to kick off the festivities.
On Saturday evening over 1,000 people gathered to watch the Panorama Steelband competition.
Revelers gathered at Emslie Horniman’s Pleasance Park in west London for a curtain raiser featuring five steel bands: Mangrove, Croydon Steel Orchestra, Ebony, Metronomes and Pan Nation.
Defending champions Mangrove have won for three consecutive years, with member Joelle Gardiner, 34, saying: “It’s hard to put into words how good it would feel to win tonight.”
“I’ve been coming to the carnival since I was six or seven, watching people play until I got to the age where I could get involved too.”