Notting Hill Carnival J'Ouvert 2024 cancelled

Notting Hill Carnival’s traditional J’Ouvert has been cancelled for this year. The event - which takes place on the morning before carnival - was set to take place on Sunday, August 25.

The announcement was made on Notting Hill Carnival's 'X' page where they said the reason was 'due to no official bands able to participate this year [sic]'. They ask that anyone planning to attend to 'refrain from doing so' and hope that the event happens next year.

The origins of J'Ouvert is believed to have come from Trinidad & Tobago and is steeped in French Afro-Creole traditions. In London, J’Ouvert usually marks the start of Notting Hill Carnival in West London.

READ MORE: Notting Hill Carnival 2024: Everything we know from line-up to parade route and how to get there

Revellers head out before 6am on Carnival Sunday and follow a group of steel bands down Ladbroke Grove throwing power and paint at each other. The celebration goes on for hours and usually finishes around 9am.

The full post from the official Notting Hill Carnival's 'X' account reads: "J’Ouvert for Notting Hill Carnival 2024 has been cancelled due to no official bands able to participate this year. Sunday & Monday will proceed as normal.

"It is important that those who were planning to attend to please refrain from doing so. We hope to see you again next year."

Many people on X have responded with unhappiness that the traditional event is not happening. One person wrote: "I can’t imagine J’Ouvert not being a thing for Carnival. It literally can’t start? Lmao."

Another person said: "This!! J'Ouvert is literally a ritual to begin Carnival. It's inseparable. This is sacrilegious tbh."

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