The Notting Hill Carnival

After a long, hot summer in the capital, you need to let it all hang out. The Notting Hill Carnival is just the occasion. London's biggest street festival is second only to Rio de Janeiro in size. It's a life-affirming celebration of diversity that has been joyously expanding the horizons of its participants and visitors since 1964. The entertainment includes mas (masquerade) bands, steel bands, calypso bands and earth-shaking reggae sound systems. Go with the flow and just soak up the atmosphere. You won't be short of diversion, wherever you go.