My Notting Hill Carnival 2025 Experience

Notting Hill Carnival, held annually in London, is one of the world’s largest street festivals and a vibrant celebration of Caribbean culture. Its origins trace back to the late 1950s, when Trinidad-born activist Claudia Jones organised indoor Caribbean gatherings to promote unity and cultural pride in response to racial tensions in London. In 1966, community activist Rhaune Laslett expanded the idea into a neighborhood street festival in Notting Hill, blending Caribbean music, dance, and costume traditions with local community spirit.

Over the decades, the carnival has grown into a massive two-day event featuring calypso, steel bands, soca, reggae, sound systems, and dazzling parades, while continuing to celebrate diversity and honour its roots in resilience and cultural expression.

Notting Hill Carnival has always been somewhere I've attended, but this year I had the opportunity to truly experience it in two very special ways: first with Chocolate Nation on Carnival Sunday, and then in full costume with Island Mas on Carnival Monday. It was two days of joy, culture, and unforgettable memories.

Day 1: Carnival Sunday with Chocolate Nation

Sunday was all about the Chocolate Nation Mas float. I started the day linking up with my friend Sherine and meeting her friend Laura. We joined the long line for the float, ponchos in bags to protect our hair — but let’s be honest, when the chocolate started flying, there was no real way of staying clean! Chocolate was everywhere, and that’s part of the fun.

The vibes were unreal: music blasting, dancing on every corner, and the energy of the crowd pulling us all together. The rum punch flowed endlessly, and it wasn’t just strong — it tasted delicious too. Everywhere I turned, people were smiling, laughing, and moving.

One of the most powerful moments was at the judging point. The atmosphere was electric — dancers, floats, and masqueraders all coming together in unity. It was a true celebration of community, love, and culture.

Day 2: Carnival Monday with Island Mas

Monday was the big day for me. The day started early — I left my house at 6:45am to head to the Michael Styles hair salon in Willesden, where my glam team, Darcy and Sharissia, worked their magic. They gave me the full glam package: glitter, gems, bold colours — the kind of carnival makeup that makes you feel unstoppable.

Afterwards, I had a photo shoot with Jacob Hamilton, a photographer who captured everything from close-up facials to full-body poses. It was such a confidence-boosting moment — stepping into my costume and owning it.

From there, I met my friend Natasha, helped her get dressed into her costume, and then linked up with the rest of the girls. We parked up at Goldhawk Road and made our way on train to Latimer Road to the float. As soon as we arrived, the energy hit us — music, food, drinks, and people from all walks of life coming together to celebrate.

This was my first time in full costume, and it felt so special to be with Natasha and her family. They embraced me like one of their own — hugs, kisses, laughter, and love. That sense of belonging is what makes Carnival so powerful.

At the judging point, everything turned up another level: the colours of the costumes, the sound of soca, the movements of the dancers. The atmosphere was buzzing with pride, joy, and culture.

A massive thank you to Shaunie, from SC Designs for the stunning costume, the glitter, and the attention to detail that made the experience unforgettable. And of course, to the Grenadian soca artist who came out to support, representing the culture proudly.

For years I struggled with feeling confident in my body, but deciding to wear a carnival costume gave me a goal that completely changed my mindset. I committed to myself, hitting the gym four times a week, running 5Ks and 10Ks, sticking to a strict but balanced diet, and making sure I drank two litres of water every single day. It wasn’t easy, but every small step added up, and slowly I began to see and feel the difference. When I finally stepped into my costume, it wasn’t just about looking good, it was about knowing how hard I had worked and how much I had grown. I felt strong, proud, and free. The best part was realising that true body confidence isn’t about perfection, it’s about owning who you are, celebrating progress, and not caring about anyone else’s opinions. For the first time in years, I felt completely comfortable in my skin, and that joy and pride shone brighter than anything I was wearing.

Final Thoughts

Notting Hill Carnival 2025 was more than just an event — it was an experience of culture, community, and love. From chocolate-covered fun on Sunday to full costume glamour on Monday, every moment was filled with energy and joy.

I’m so grateful for the people who made it special — Sherine, Tasha, Laura, Natasha, her beautiful family, the glam team, the designers, my hairdresser and everyone I danced and laughed with along the way.

Carnival isn’t just about music and costumes. It’s about unity, heritage, and celebrating life. And for me, this was the year I got to live that dream fully.

Until next year, Notting Hill Carnival — thank you for the memories.