The Notting Hill Carnival started in 1966. Its first outdoor event in Notting Hill took place that August, growing from a community festival into one of Europe’s largest street celebrations.
The event was organised by Rhaune Laslett, who wanted to promote cultural unity in a neighbourhood shaped by Caribbean, African and other immigrant communities. A steel band led by Russell Henderson joined the procession, helping turn a local children’s street party into a carnival.
The date is sometimes confused with 1959, when Trinidadian activist Claudia Jones organised an indoor Caribbean Carnival at St Pancras Town Hall. That earlier event was an important precursor, but it was not the outdoor Notting Hill Carnival itself. The modern festival later expanded through costume bands, calypso, soca, steelpan, reggae and sound systems.