I’ve written lots about Notting Hill Carnival over the years, and always wear my heart on my sleeve about how much I love it, often to people who simply cannot comprehend why I’m so inexhaustibly excited.

That’s usually in the run-up to the event though, not afterwards, as the peak late summer madness of an August Bank Holiday Monday quickly subsides, with a back-to-school bump down towards a swift a refocus on reality.

By the Tuesday (usually wet and miserable) morning, the streets have miraculously been scrubbed back normal, so the whole thing feels like it was some overwhelming sequinned, feathered and rum-soaked fever dream – at least until the same time next year.

The reality is that Carnival is one of the UK’s (and certainly is London’s) biggest cultural events, so it’s no surprise that it’s also a culture war favourite, too.

Therefore, regular as clockwork, the algorithm outrage junkies and know-nothing commentators kickstart the same, shrill, annual ‘debate’ about crime stats, Policing costs, overcrowding and the rest.

No matter the temptation to wade in with a few choice counterpoints, I’m usually too busy basking in the afterglow of a long weekend spent dancing outdoors, and remembering hundreds of joyful encounters with ebullient strangers, to waste energy duking it out online with assorted idiots, bots and racists.

It’s my policy not to engage, and to let them stew in their prejudices, knowing that me and two million(!) others had a very nice time, but thanks for your concern, guys. This year, I’ve resisted the comments trap again, however I thought I’d write something here, removed from the combative scroll madness.

And I have to say that, despite the rolling out of all the usual tropes; the lazy Glastonbury comparisons; the ridiculous calls for it to be moved to Hyde Park or even cancelled and the pearl-clutching on themes of sex, piss and violence; I do sense the online discourse is finally shifting, just a little.

This is both for good, and for bad.

On the bad side, the overt racism of some of the angry keyboard-bashers has gone fully mainstream, where the spewing of disgusting prejudice on billionaire-owned media platforms seems to now be a competitive sport. As a microcosm of how tech has twisted certain individuals, it is utterly shameful.

It’s also depressing to see how Carnival is such an easy win for a hot take du jour, that everyone from politicians to comedians can’t help but join the fray, where many really should know better than to poke the bear just to oil their engagement metrics.

But, there is also more love, respect and heartfelt celebration for London’s biggest bash than ever, too. Just check out Misan Harriman’s poetic tear-jerker on his experience of taking photos there.

He says “I’ve never felt so safe in a mass of human beings as I do in Carnival.” That may sound perversely counter-intuitive to those raised on a diet of horror-stories, but I honestly agree with him. Yes, there can be nasty flare-ups, but to me, that swell of humanity overwhelmingly feels like a great big London hug.

For many years, I think Carnival enthusiasts were resigned to having their favourite weekend fall under a shadow of inevitable stabbing stats and the bile of opportunist opponents like failed Mayoral candidate Susan Hall - so we basically stayed quietly grateful that it had even happened again at all.

Then, as with nightclubs, after the shutdown of Covid, there’s been a gradual societal shift with the realisation of just what we stand to lose if we let our remaining opportunities to cut loose simply wither and die.

So now, whatever the very real concerns are over crowd crushes, violence and assorted anti-social behaviours, there’s also a confidence in simply saying out loud how good it is – regardless.

Most of the sane commentators will talk of the history of struggle that birthed this Carnival (and others all over the world), they will focus on the cultural importance of having traditions like Mas and Jab Jab on the streets of London, and the right for our Windrush citizens and their descendants to occupy space in streets that have long since priced them out.

What I see less of, is a description of quite why it feels so damn special, and worthy of more funding, support and cultural respect. Why the multi-sensory noise, madness and spectacle of a visit has such power to move our collective souls.

It’s hard to put a finger on one thing, but I’d say it’s most likely the tension release that comes from subverting the norms of daily life. That’s why its setting on the road (not the bloody park) is so vital. That’s why the vanishingly rare unticketed open-access ethos is essential. And that’s why it royally winds up those who stand to lose if the shaky structures of modern oppressive capitalism crack – if only for one weekend a year – to reveal the shared multicultural joy and liberation that is all too possible.

Their discomfort at the idea of seeing women of all shapes and sizes squeezed into - and occasionally falling out of - wild costumes, while dancing provocatively, misses the fact that the outrageous shock of all this IS THE WHOLE POINT.

Women absolutely own Carnival. Men may whine and flirt and leer and posture, but the delicious subversion here is that the ladies, in celebrating their bodies and their autonomy so unashamedly in the sunshine in the middle of Ladbroke-bloody-Grove, are owning the place.

Moaning that shops have to be boarded up, that there’s rubbish piled high, that there’s a touch of lawlessness after dark - the edgy chaos of it all IS THE WHOLE POINT. Carnival was not invited to be here or to grow like this, it emerged through protest, and remains massively political behind the hedonism, so it damn well can make a noise and a mess and put comfortable homeowners noses out of joint, because that is exactly what it is supposed to be doing.

I’m not of Caribbean origin, but I am of London origin, and have totted up well over six solid weeks-worth of my life pounding West London streets through the beer cans and the basslines. I feel an immense proud ownership of what we all do every August Bank Holiday, simply by turning up en masse, whoever we are and wherever we are from.

It is simple, radical and emotional. Black traditions cut in the capital’s unique cloth. Londoners should all feel that pride at what goes on here, so its sad that the naysayers are so vociferous in their blinkered objections as to why this is so.

What they miss in their negativity, and by reducing the whole thing to law and order headlines or morality offences, is that Carnival leave millions of us with hearts filled right up with beauty, tolerance and an energy that lasts for the rest of the year.

If you can’t see that that is what’s worth preserving and promoting at all costs, instead of simply policing and protesting, then you really are missing the point - and missing out on all the benefits, (so ultimately more fool you).

Long live Notting Hill Carnival, no matter what anyone says.

🥳 We’re spoilt for street parties in Camden, but that shouldn’t mask the fact that they are a major effort to put on. After a semi-fallow year in 2025, the York Rise Street Party roars back in full fettle this Sat 5th Sept, with a full day-into-night of stalls, activities, community vibes and three stages of entertainment. Look out for musical highlights including dreamy local live electronica from Kinobe, globetrotting DJ Mr. C on the Dig It stage, and a group singsong with Massaoke outside the Dartmouth Arms as darkness falls.

🎼 A series of live performances, pop ups and talks centred around music and culture take over St Giles’ famous music street on Sat 5th Sept as Denmark Street Sessions returns for a second year. You’ll find live performances and vinyl DJ sets from diverse artists including alt-rock, blues, punk, boogie-woogie piano featuring The Dash reunion, Pink Juice, Henri Herbert, blume, Eaves Wilder and more, plus talks and interactive events in the music shops, bars, clubs and record store from lunchtime into the evening.

🚣🏼 Celebrating its 40th anniversary on Sun 6th Sept, the Angel Canal Festival, just down the water at the City Road Basin promises loads to do on and off the water - from paddleboarding to Morris dancing, and puppetry to street food, in honour of the many things to discover all year round on Regent’s Canal.

FILM 🎞️ This Sat 5th Sept sees the last in a mini-season of EcoCounts Mystery Film Screenings, where you get a chance to see unannounced award-winning documentaries or classic movies, with people and planet themes, and followed by a facilitated discussion afterwards. The film is announced on the evening, which takes place up at St Luke’s Church in Hillmarton Rd, and there’s even popcorn for sale.

PHOTOGRAPHY 📸 To mark the 20th anniversary of Amy Winehouse's iconic Back to Black LP, the next free outdoor exhibition on the benches at Granary Square and King’s Boulevard (pictured above) features classic and previously unseen images from the Camden-based singer’s life and career. Runs to 15th Oct.

YOGA 🧘🏼‍♀️Delve in to the transformative practice of Pranayama breathing as Kentish Town-based We Breathe Yoga begins a new annual cycle of foundational breathwork suitable for all levels on Sunday mornings, from Sun 13th Sept. You’ll be led by trained yogi and psychotherapist Sara, exploring the relationship between body, breath, mind and the stories we carry with us.

MUSIC 🎸 Local festival and gig promotion Camden Rocks has brought back its legendary rock ’n’ roll all-dayers monthly at the newly relaunched Barfly, with Septembers edition including Danny Wildheart & The UK Reprobates, The Priscillas, River Hounds, and Midway Still on Sat 12th Sept.

FOOD 🌯 Cult chicken ceasar wrap merchants CZER have opened a second outlet on Brewer St in Soho, doing just a classic or picante wrap, with a lobster special to catch in the coming days if you can, and promise of a veggie version soon, too.

DRINK 🍸Following a stint bringing their high energy soundtrack, cocktails and clobber to a bar space at Buck Street Market back in 2023, before it became Camden Boxpark, fluro rave clothing dons Cyberdog have taken over the lovely rooftop at North Yard’s defunct Dark House to relaunch their Cyberdog Rave Bar. Expect sunset cocktails on the area’s best suntrap rooftop and Cyberdog energy from the staff and DJs

See ITV’s coverage of the plight of over 230 Camden-based artists, as a change in regulations means their meanwhile-use studios in the eventual path of HS2 construction may have to be closed early…