Dancing in the street

Dancing in the street

Advertisement

A performer dances up behind a young police officer at the Notting Hill Carnival, who smiles as she stands with her arms wrapped around his neck.

Huge crowds flocked to join in with the west London festival, a celebration of Caribbean culture that takes place every year at the end of August, and usually draws about 1 million revellers with its heady mix of colourful processions, blaring music, and pungent street food.

. LONDON, United Kingdom. REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth

A girl smiles as she takes part in the Children's Day parade, the day before the main festivities.

According to organisers, the Notting Hill Carnival began in the 1960s as a local celebration, but has since grown to become the biggest street festival in Europe.

1 / 16

Slideshow

Glitter sparkles on the face of a performer taking part in the Children's Day parade.
. LONDON, United Kingdom. REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth

Glitter sparkles on the face of a performer taking part in the Children's Day parade.

A participant poses for a photograph before the start of the main day of the carnival, which falls on a public holiday.
. LONDON, United Kingdom. REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth

A participant poses for a photograph before the start of the main day of the carnival, which falls on a public holiday.

A scantily-clad performer waits before the start of the event.
. LONDON, United Kingdom. REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth

A scantily-clad performer waits before the start of the event.

A man flips upside down during the Children's Day parade.
. LONDON, United Kingdom. REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth

A man flips upside down during the Children's Day parade.

A vast crowd fills the street on the main day of the festival.
. LONDON, United Kingdom. Reuters/Paul Hackett

A vast crowd fills the street on the main day of the festival.

Performers participate in the carnival.
. LONDON, United Kingdom. REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth

Performers participate in the carnival.

A boy with a shining gold costume takes part in the Children's Day parade.
. LONDON, United Kingdom. REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth

A boy with a shining gold costume takes part in the Children's Day parade.

A performer blows a kiss at the carnival.
. LONDON, United Kingdom. REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth

A performer blows a kiss at the carnival.

A participant with feathered fake eyelashes poses for a photograph.
. LONDON, United Kingdom. REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth

A participant with feathered fake eyelashes poses for a photograph.

A woman wearing feathery wings and a sparkling bikini smiles as she takes part.
. LONDON, United Kingdom. REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth

A woman wearing feathery wings and a sparkling bikini smiles as she takes part.

A girl joins in with the Children's Day parade.
. LONDON, United Kingdom. REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth

A girl joins in with the Children's Day parade.

A man dances on the roof of a bus shelter along the carnival route.
. LONDON, United Kingdom. Reuters/Paul Hackett

A man dances on the roof of a bus shelter along the carnival route.

Men wearing colourful costumes participate.
. LONDON, United Kingdom. REUTERS/Paul Hackett

Men wearing colourful costumes participate.

A man carries a dog on his shoulders before the start of the carnival.
. LONDON, United Kingdom. REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth

A man carries a dog on his shoulders before the start of the carnival.

A performer throws his arms wide as he takes part in the Children's Day parade.
. LONDON, United Kingdom. REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth

A performer throws his arms wide as he takes part in the Children's Day parade.

Still wearing their elaborate headgear, performers sit on a bus after the carnival.
. LONDON, United Kingdom. Reuters/Paul Hackett

Still wearing their elaborate headgear, performers sit on a bus after the carnival.