Millions are set to gather at the Notting Hill Carnival this weekend as the street party returns to London for the first time in three years.
The carnival, which was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 because of Covid, kicked off in west London yesterday evening with a steel band competition in Pleasance Park, but the real action happens today and tomorrow.
The traditional J'Ouvert celebration started at 6am this morning, where revellers get covered in colourful powder and paint, while the official opening ceremony, followed by the Children's Day Parade and Carnival, got going at 10am.
Participants said they were desperate to see their creations come to life, and were looking forward to finally getting the chance to get going.
Marelle Steblecki, 29, said she is "excited" to finally wear a costume she planned to wear pre-pandemic.
"I've had my particular costume, which is rose gold, purple and teal booked with my carnival band since 2018, so I've been waiting to wear this for two years," she told the BBC.
"The carnival band that I'm playing with chose their theme as Africa. It is good for people to see that there are true influences behind each costume."
A second 48-hour bus strike in parts of west London could affect people attending the carnival.
Sadiq Khan urged those heading to the party to arrive early, and added: "This community-led celebration of Caribbean history and culture has become one of the world's biggest street festivals and part of the very fabric of this city," he said.
Participants from the Emancipated Run Crew, which aims to improve diversity in running, lead the parade wearing green in honour of those who lost their lives in the Grenfell Tower fire in 2017.
The climax of the weekend is tomorrow, when thousands of masqueraders parade through the streets wearing vibrant costumes decorated with beads and feathers as part of Pretty Mas.
The Metropolitan Police said thousands of officers from across the capital are on duty to keep everyone safe.
Commander Dr Alison Heydari said: "Being able to attend Carnival in person has been sorely missed for the last couple of years, so we are expecting large crowds in the Notting Hill area this weekend.
"We are also working to keep the area safe with the festival organisers implementing 'safer spaces' where women and girls can go and seek advice from specially trained professionals, as well as the police.
"Our officers are here to help you, if you feel like something doesn't look right please speak with us."
