Second only to Rio de Janeiro, Notting Hill Carnival is one of the world's greatest street festivals. A world-class example of diversity that celebrates ethnic diversity and freedom through music, movement and masquerade making this uniquely cosmopolitan part of London come alive in a vibrant kaleidoscope of colour, sound and aroma.

More than a million visitors can be expected to watch the thousands of artists perform over the two-day August bank holiday. The weekend is the high-spot of the carnival season, marking the culmination of a year of planning involving hundreds of grass-roots community organisations engaging over 50,000 young people and adults in artistic endeavours.

Carnival consists of five art arenas:

* Mas (masquerade) bands - this is what provides the carnival with its colour as vibrant costumes bands parade along the carnival route.
* Steel pans or 'pan' - crafted from oil drums, steel pans were used by Caribbean performers as a link to their African past. Performed as a collective, a steel band can emulate the sound of a symphony orchestra.
* Calypso music ? recognized as the first music of the Caribbean. This art form is used to sing about topical subjects and comment about major events.
* Static and mobile sound systems ? groups of DJs located at various points throughout the carnival route, playing the lively music that keeps everyone dancing throughout the festival.