What to wear to Notting Hill Carnival: London sits at 22°C (72°F) by day and 15°C (59°F) at night in August, on city streets, with a moderate chance of rain. That means a light base with one warm layer you can carry, cushioned trainers or a low boot, and a bag small enough for the gate rules. The crowd leans carnival, costume and parade, so a full costume is the norm rather than the exception.
Notting Hill Carnival Outfits: What to Wear
The complete style guide to Notting Hill Carnival in London, United Kingdom. 22°C (72°F) by day, 15°C (59°F) at night, on city streets.
30-31 August (exp.)Next edition
22°C / 15°CDay / night
city streetsGround
NoCamping
1,000,000Crowd
Original photography by Festival Style Guide, made to show the conditions and the style register at Notting Hill Carnival.
More about Notting Hill Carnival: the festival, the crowd and the conditions
Notting Hill Carnival takes place in London, United Kingdom, usually in August, British summer. It is one of the largest festivals in the world (around 1,000,000 people), running 2 days across city streets with no camping on site.
Europe’s biggest street carnival. Mas costumes on Monday, feathers and glitter throughout, and a very British chance of rain over all of it.
Days sit around 22°C (72°F) and nights fall to 15°C (59°F), a 7-degree swing that most first-timers underestimate. Rain is a realistic possibility on at least one day.
Below: the 10 outfits that work best at Notting Hill Carnival, what the crowd actually wears, and the practical rules, bag size, footwear, night layers. That decide whether the outfit survives the weekend.
Ranked for this festival
The 10 best outfits for Notting Hill Carnival
August weather, city streets, and the carnival / costume crowd. Every look is shoppable.
Look 01
Carnival Feathers Investment piece
Feathers, sequins, headpiece. The one weekend a year more is more.
It speaks the same language as the line-up (carnival, costume and parade), so you read as part of the crowd rather than a visitor. Made for tarmac and long walks between stages.
- Costumefeather headpiece and wings shop
- Topssequin bodysuit shop
- Glitterbody gems and glitter shop
- Sandalscomfortable dance sandals shop
- Jewellerystatement earrings shop
- Makeuplong-wear waterproof makeup shop
Look 02
Afro Print Statement Mid-range
Bold print, sharp silhouette, sunglasses doing the heavy lifting.
It speaks the same language as the line-up (carnival and dancehall), so you read as part of the crowd rather than a visitor. Made for tarmac and long walks between stages.
- Co-ordsprinted co-ord set shop
- Topsopen shirt or wrap top shop
- Sandalsleather sandals or slides shop
- Sunglassescoloured lens shades shop
- Jewellerybeaded statement jewellery shop
- Hatshead wrap or bucket hat shop
Look 03
Full Costume Investment piece
At these festivals the costume is the ticket. Going plain is the wrong call.
It speaks the same language as the line-up (costume, carnival and parade), so you read as part of the crowd rather than a visitor.
- Costumefull themed costume or wings shop
- Glitterbody gems, glitter and paint shop
- Bootsboots you can walk kilometres in shop
- Hatsheadpiece or mask shop
- Bagshidden belt bag for essentials shop
- Makeupsweatproof face paint shop
Look 04
Street Heat Mid-range
Fit-first: silhouette, sneakers, one loud piece.
It speaks the same language as the line-up (streetwear), so you read as part of the crowd rather than a visitor. Made for tarmac and long walks between stages.
- Topsoversized graphic tee or jersey shop
- Shortsbaggy denim or cargo shorts shop
- Sneakersstatement sneakers shop
- Hatsfitted cap or beanie shop
- Jewellerycuban chain shop
- Bagscrossbody sling shop
Look 05
Jorts & Tank Budget-friendly
The masc summer default that actually survives 34°C: jorts, tank, cap.
It speaks the same language as the line-up (streetwear), so you read as part of the crowd rather than a visitor. Made for tarmac and long walks between stages. At 22°C (72°F) this needs a real layer underneath. Thermal base, not just a jacket.
- Shortsdenim jorts shop
- Topsribbed tank or open camp shirt shop
- Sneakerscanvas or retro runners shop
- Hatscap or bucket hat shop
- Sunglassessport shades shop
- Earplugsreusable earplugs shop
Look 06
Corset Drama Investment piece
Structured top, soft bottom. The silhouette that owns every front row.
It speaks the same language as the line-up (carnival), so you read as part of the crowd rather than a visitor.
- Topscorset or bustier shop
- Shortstulle skirt or wide cargos shop
- Bootslace-up platform boots shop
- Jewellerylayered chokers shop
- Makeupgraphic liner shop
- Bagsmini shoulder bag shop
Look 07
Y2K Revival Budget-friendly
Low-rise, baby tee, butterfly clips. 2003 with better sunscreen.
It speaks the same language as the line-up (streetwear), so you read as part of the crowd rather than a visitor.
- Topsbaby tee or halter top shop
- Shortslow-rise cargo or micro mini shop
- Sneakerschunky retro trainers shop
- Sunglassestiny tinted shield sunglasses shop
- Hairbutterfly clips and mini braids shop
- Bagsbaguette shoulder bag shop
Look 08
Jersey Core Budget-friendly
Football shirt, shorts, socks pulled up. Cheap, breathable, unmistakably festival 2020s.
It speaks the same language as the line-up (streetwear), so you read as part of the crowd rather than a visitor.
- Topsretro football or racing jersey shop
- Shortsmesh or nylon shorts shop
- Sneakersterrace trainers shop
- Hatsbucket hat shop
- Bagssmall sling bag shop
- Sunglassessport wrap sunglasses shop
Look 09
Linen Minimal Investment piece
Grown-up festival: linen shirt, tailored short, one good sandal.
It is the outlier pick here, which is exactly why it photographs well against Notting Hill Carnival's usual crowd. Made for tarmac and long walks between stages.
- Topslinen camp-collar shirt shop
- Shortstailored linen shorts shop
- Sandalsleather sandals shop
- Sunglassesclassic tortoiseshell shop
- Hatspanama hat shop
- Bagscanvas tote shop
Look 10
All-White Investment piece
The Ibiza and white-party uniform: linen, crochet, zero print.
It is the outlier pick here, which is exactly why it photographs well against Notting Hill Carnival's usual crowd. Made for tarmac and long walks between stages.
- Co-ordswhite linen co-ord shop
- Dresseswhite crochet or cut-out dress shop
- Sandalsleather sandals shop
- Sunglassessculptural sunglasses shop
- Jewellerygold statement pieces shop
- Bagsraffia bag shop
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Notting Hill Carnival dates to 2030
Expected dates come from the pattern this festival follows; confirmed dates come from the organiser. Check the official site before booking.
| Year | Dates | Status | Outfit guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 30-31 August 2026 | expected | 2026 outfits |
| 2027 | 29-30 August 2027 | expected | 2027 outfits |
| 2028 | 27-28 August 2028 | expected | outfit guide |
| 2029 | 26-27 August 2029 | expected | outfit guide |
| 2030 | 25-26 August 2030 | expected | outfit guide |
The dress code, decoded
The dominant aesthetics at Notting Hill Carnival are carnival costume, full costume, parade and dancehall. That is the visual language of the site, the stages, the merch, the crowd photos, and outfits that speak it look intentional rather than borrowed.
This is a costume festival, and that changes the maths: turning up in normal clothes is the conspicuous choice. Budget for one full look rather than three half-hearted ones, and make sure you can walk, dance and queue in it for eight hours.
What people actually wear: one good layer over a light base, because the temperature halves after sunset; something identifiable, a colour, a hat, a flag, so your group can find you in a crowd of that size.
August weather at Notting Hill Carnival
| Typical daytime high | 22°C (72°F) |
|---|---|
| Typical night low | 15°C (59°F) |
| Day–night swing | 7°C (13°F) |
| Rain risk | Moderate |
| Ground | Tarmac and pavement |
| Sun exposure | High, little natural shade |
What shoes to wear
Best option here: Cushioned trainers or a low boot. You are on concrete for ten hours.
Avoid: brand-new shoes, heels, and anything you have not walked 10 kilometres in.
You will walk between 15.000 and 30.000 steps a day at a festival of this size. Footwear is the only part of a festival outfit that can genuinely end your weekend, so it is the one place to spend money and break things in beforehand.
After dark
Once the sun goes down it drops to 15°C (59°F). The standard solution is a layer that lives in your bag all day: an oversized shirt, a light puffer or a fleece. If you are travelling back into town, factor in standing at a shuttle stop or station in that temperature for half an hour.
Rules that catch people out
- Bag size. Most festivals of this size cap bags at roughly A4 or require a clear bag at the main stages. A belt bag plus a small crossbody clears almost every policy. Check the official rules before you buy anything bigger.
- Chains and studs. Long chains, spikes and metal-heavy accessories are refused at some gates. If a piece is central to the look, have a backup.
- Glitter. Biodegradable only at a growing number of festivals; plastic glitter is banned outright at several. It is also, practically, the hardest thing to remove from a tent.
- No camping. You are travelling in and out each day, so the outfit has to survive public transport at both ends, and a cloakroom is not guaranteed.
- Cultural dress. Several festivals in this category explicitly ban headdresses and other appropriated cultural dress. Check the site's own policy. It is usually stated plainly.
What not to wear to Notting Hill Carnival
- Heels of any kind. Grass, gravel and crowd crush. Platform boots give the height with a surface area that works.
- Brand-new shoes. Ten hours on concrete in unbroken-in soles is the most reliable way to leave early.
- Your good bag. Beer, mud, being sat on. Take the one you would not mind losing, with a zip.
Packing checklist
- Two tops per day (one gets ruined)
- One layer for the night
- Earplugs
- Refillable water bottle
- Portable charger
- Sun cream or SPF stick
- Baby wipes
- A bag with a zip
- Costume repair kit: safety pins, glue, spare elastic
Frequently asked questions
Start with the weather: 22°C (72°F) by day, 15°C (59°F) at night, moderate rain risk, on city streets. That points to a light base with one warm layer you can carry, plus broken-in trainers or boots. Style-wise the crowd leans carnival costume, full costume and parade.
Typical night lows are around 15°C (59°F), a drop of 7 degrees from the daytime high. Most people manage with one light layer.
Cushioned trainers or a low boot; the site is concrete and gravel. Expect 15.000–30.000 steps a day.
No formal dress code. In practice it is a costume festival, and the crowd treats that as the standard.
Festivals this size usually limit bags to around A4 size, and some require clear bags at main stages. A belt bag plus a small zipped crossbody clears almost every policy. Always check the official rules for the current edition. They change year to year.
The reliable formula here is a tee, a light overshirt and broken-in trainers, with a beanie and a small crossbody bag. See the full list of men's outfits below.
Yes, but bring biodegradable glitter. Plastic glitter is banned at a growing number of festivals and is close to impossible to get out of a tent, a car or your hair. Face gems are the lower-effort alternative and survive sweat better.
Notting Hill Carnival normally takes place in August, running 2 days in London. Exact dates are announced by the organisers each year at nhcarnival.org. Check there before booking anything.
Where to go next
Similar festivals, similar outfits
More in London
- Wireless Festival July
- All Points East August
- Mighty Hoopla June
- Field Day August
- Junction 2 June
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