We’ll begin with the biggie: an event that really needs no introduction. What’s that you say, you’d like one anyway? OK, how about: sound systems, dance troupes, rice n’ peas, trumpeters, masquerade, street food, steel drums, dancehall, feathers galore, DJs, curried goat, Red Stripe, samba dancing with strangers and one great. Big. Almighty. STREET PARADE? But really we could have done it in one word: CARNIVAL.
So now you want the hot tips for 2019? Oh, go on then... Always worth a look is the Red Bull Soundsystem at Emslie Horniman’s Pleasance Park, where the likes of Jourdan Dunn and Neelam Gill are regulars and this year dancehall queen Spice tops the bill. Elsewhere Disco Hustlers bring, well, disco to Powis Square; and the legendary Gaz’s Rockin’ Blues is peddling ska and rocksteady on Talbot Road. As for the king of Carnival, Norman Jay? He’s taking his Good Times (gasp) north, with a huge show at Alexandra Palace. Do ’em all, we dare you.
25-26 August; free
Notting Hill, W11, and Alexandra Palace, N22