Because of the coronavirus pandemic, London’s , the world’s second-biggest street festival, has been canceled for the first time in its 54-year history. However, the party is not completely off; it is going fully digital with a streaming series showcasing music, art, and food on the carnival’s website.
Always held on the last long weekend of August, which incorporates a bank holiday in , the Notting Hill Carnival is a vibrant celebration of Caribbean and African traditions. Furthermore, it is a key event on the Black British cultural calendar. The festival has been celebrated every year since 1966 and consistently attracts more than a million revelers to the streets of west London.
“This year we faced the ultimate challenge of being unable to gather on the streets to celebrate our Carnival,” Matthew Phillip, Notting Hill Carnival’s Executive Director, stated. “But, now, more than ever, it’s important to keep the spirit of Notting Hill Carnival alive, giving an outlet to the thousands of people that spend all year creating incredible costumes and music for Europe’s largest event.”
Carnival content, recorded on stages and studios over a month-long period, will be streamed across four online channels. Moreover, Spotify, an official partner of the event, is creating a dedicated microsite of playlists and podcasts detailing the history of Notting Hill Carnival. While the full lineup is yet to be announced, 14 sound systems will be playing, alongside 20 dancehall musicians and 15 steel pan bands. Consequently, some of the eye-catching ‘mas’ groups, the performers adorned in colorful and feather-covered costumes, will also be showcased in the videos.
This year’s events, titled Notting Hill Carnival: Access All Areas, will be available to watch on the festival’s official website for free between 9 AM and 11 PM on August 30 and 31. Additionally, warm-up activities are scheduled from 6 PM to midnight on August 29.
Lockdowns are easing globally as the planet adjusts to a new normal. For more information on how COVID-19 is changing travel, you can visit reputable sources online.
