Notting Hill Carnival

On one of the last hot steamy weekends of the British summer the streets of the famous West London des res of Notting Hill erupt in a blast of colour and sound for what is, after Rio, the second biggest street carnival in the world.

Now in its 40th year, 2 million people fill the elegant white stuccoed streets partying hard for two days. Massive costumes, parrot bright plumage, steel bands, home cooked jerk chicken, gumbo and plenty of spicy Caribbean street food - the carnival is a chance for London's huge West Indian community to do it in style.

But it's not just about the flamboyant procession. Year in year out the soundsystems hold their own on the same street corners, battling it out soundclash style. Everybody has a favourite - from the legendary Good Time tunes of Norman Jay to the bass heavy Aba Shanti roots. House, hip-hop, dub, reggae, drum n bass, calypso, funk, soul, salsa, ska, it's all here thundering through the London summer air.