Panorama – Saturday 29th August
Each year while the sound systems are fine tuning their speakers and mas dancers are glueing the last few diamonds to their itsy bitsy teeny bikinis, the steel bands of England are out in full force battling for the annual Panorama title. Panorama is the most wholesome way to get your Carnival started and familiarise yourself with the soca tunes that will be resounding in your ears for the next few days. Look out for local West London bands Mangrove, CSI and Ebony.
From 6-10pm at Emslie Horniman Pleasance Park on Bosworth Road.
J’ouvert – Sunday 30th August
Ever wondered when you get to Carnival why there are people in boiler suits covered in neon paint and suspicious looking chocolate smears? J’ouvert! Before Carnival proper kicks off, the early risers have been dancing along Ladbroke Grove to steel bands, drumming and a lot of bass, maintaining one of the oldest Carnival traditions by marking the break of day. Participants are mostly from bands taking part in the daytime procession but in true Carnival spirit, everyone is welcome. Crucially it’s pronounced jou-vayyy, keep that “t” silent and don’t wear anything you aren’t happy to get messy.
6-9am starting at Canal Way – Ladbroke Grove Sainsbury’s, W14.
Family day – Sunday 30th August
Sunday is officially family day so is tamer than Monday. Make sure to clock the procession as well as the sound systems because there lots of adorable children who have spent months working on their costumes. As well as the kids, there are also lots adult floats with incredible costumes making their way along Westbourne Grove and up Ladbroke Grove. Choose a few sound systems in advance and work out your route.
The procession starts at 10am and finishes with judging at 6.30pm. Sound systems shut off at 7pm.
Main procession – Monday 31st August
Monday is the main event and where you’ll see the biggest and best costumes from 60 floats that have come from far and wide to wine. As well as all the soca, look out for the Brazilian contingent in the form of samba schools who wear impressively high heels as they dance through the Red Stripe cans and polystyrene jerk chicken boxes (and possibly a thunderstorm) for hours on end. Grab some food from the stalls along Golborne Road and head to Trellick Tower to watch the floats as they practice just ahead of the judging point. When you’ve seen enough, head away from the main parade for the sound systems. It’s Aba Shanti’s 25th year and the ever-popular Channel One has survived to live another year. At no point be that person leaning out of a window of a house drinking Pimm’s and playing Avicii. You may not have to queue for the loo but you are totally missing the point of Carnival.
Credits
Text Tessa Griffith
Photography Yaili