Archive film, originally published on 29 August 2017. The 2017 Carnival took place over 27–28 August.
Notting Hill Carnival 2017 brings music, dancing and elaborate costumes into the streets of west London. In this eight-minute film, I follow the crowds towards the parade, stop beside the sound systems and watch the procession pass through the neighbourhood. There is also a moment of remembrance for Grenfell, as the celebration pauses to pay its respects.
Following the crowds into Carnival
The opening walk takes place under a bright blue sky. People fill the road between the shops and terraces, heading towards the music. As I explain at the start, finding the Carnival is a matter of following the crowd and the thump of soca.
The film mentions the station closures in place that weekend. That detail belongs to this 2017 visit, along with the particular streets and crowd conditions recorded here.
Sound systems and a moment for Grenfell
Closer to the sound system, the space becomes much more crowded. People gather beside boarded shopfronts, with spectators looking towards the speakers and the people leading the party. The camera moves from the approach into the middle of the gathering.
At about two minutes into the film, an announcement changes the mood. The crowd is told that Carnival will observe a minute’s silence for Grenfell at three o’clock. The music is held back, and the film marks a moment to pay respect and reflect.
The edited sequence then reaches a countdown and a collective response. The announcer thanks everyone for their support on behalf of Grenfell before the music returns. It is an important part of this visit: a community celebration making room for remembrance.
The Notting Hill Carnival 2017 parade
Back beside the parade route, performers bring a different kind of spectacle. Large feathered costumes spread out across the street in green, blue, purple and white. Spectators hold up phones while stewards keep space for the procession to move.
The scale of the costumes becomes clearer as they pass in front of the familiar terraces. Some extend far beyond the wearer’s shoulders, turning each movement into a sweep of colour. The purple and white feathers are among the most striking details captured in the film.
Trucks follow the performers through the neighbourhood. Together, the vehicles, dancers and spectators turn the road into a moving celebration, with the buildings and shopfronts still visible behind it all.
A sunny August archive
I finish with a short farewell before the closing street views. This film preserves a particular Carnival weekend: the crowds, music and costumes of August 2017, and the moment when those gathered stop to remember Grenfell.
For another view of London later that season, explore my September 2017 walks and markets.
Watch the Carnival highlights
The original 2017 preview: footage from 2016
Before that weekend, I published a short preview on 19 August 2017 using scenes from the previous year’s Carnival. The opening introduction explicitly identifies the footage as Carnival 2016. It shows red-costumed dancers, coloured powder, music and the crowds on Sunday family day.
Towards the end, I describe the more relaxed atmosphere I found early on Sunday. This is a recollection of that particular visit. The original “coming soon” message promoted the approaching 2017 event; the film below is preserved here as its archive preview, separate from the 2017 highlights above.
