Summer in the UK is approaching, which means it’s time for the all-popular Notting Hill Carnival. In 2025, it will be nothing short of extraordinary, with many fun events and exciting competitions.
The streets of London will be flooded with colourful, energetic dancers and steel drums, brightening the surroundings. Even people from diverse backgrounds come together to have an enjoyable time and celebrate inclusivity.
This gives you the perfect opportunity for YouTube live streams and to gain new followers. Want to know more? Keep reading to know the main event highlights and how a solar power station or portable power station for your UK trip makes your experience better!
2025 Schedule Overview
The Notting Hill Carnival is the world’s second-largest street carnival. It became part of London’s culture with the Caribbean people’s settlement in 1948, who helped in the post-war rebuilding of Britain. They faced immense racism and violence in their new land, which encouraged activists to organise events to unite their community.
If you need more details, here are more details on the 2025 carnival events that you can cover for your YouTube live streams:
Saturday: August 23 – Steel Drum Band Competition Day (UK National Panorama Steel Band Competition)
One of the primary events you should look forward to is the Steel Drum Band Competition Day (UK National Panorama Steel Band Competition). Its history dates back to 1966, when the oppressed Caribbean’s steel drum band took to the streets to draw crowds. However, this has taken an entirely different shape today, turning into a UK National Panorama Steel Band Competition.
In this, five steel drum bands perform a 10-minute masterpiece directly from their own memory; no sheet music is allowed. The environment suddenly gets loud as they perform, and everyone starts dancing to their favourite tunes. You can also expect colourful paints and powders to be thrown around as the sound of steel drums starts to echo more and more.
The whole vibe becomes energetic, and you can capture some scarce clicks for your YouTube channel. What truly makes this event stand out is the uniqueness of each band. Even when two bands perform the same sound, the rhythm is different, just like two chefs making the same dish but with a different taste.
- Location: Emslie Horniman’s Pleasance Park, W10 3DH, London, United Kingdom
- Ticket: You must purchase separate tickets for the event, as they are not free.
- Timing: Last year, the timings were from 4:00 PM to 11:00 PM; however, this year it’s expected to be around 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM.
Tips for YouTube Live Streaming
Make sure that you are on time and present in the lab. Also, check out the organisers’ live performance regulations so they don’t capture copyrighted music.
Sunday: August 24 – Family and Children’s Day
When the next day arrives, be ready to participate in Family and Children’s Day. As the name implies, this event primarily caters to the needs of families with children who can panic in loud and crowded spaces. The carnival’s opening ceremony takes place at 10 AM, with a kids’ parade and young performers dancing through the streets.
However, if there’s a J’Ouvert (‘opening of the day’) Carnival, you can expect this day to start quite early, around 6 AM. Since it was cancelled last year, there are no solid updates on whether it’s going to take place this year. If you are someone who loves to party hard, be ready to get yourself immersed in some bright colours and melted chocolate while music is blasting on speakers.
The carnival isn’t just about fun; it also has moments of reflection. For instance, at 3 PM, a 72-second silence is going to be held to pay tribute to the 72 lives lost in the Grenfell Tower fire. In addition, it’ll honour those whose lives were tragically cut short, including Kelso Cochrane. He was racially murdered in 1959 and became a strong motivation behind the Notting Hill Carnival.
- Location: Emslie Horniman’s Pleasance Park, W10 5DH
- Ticket: It’s free for everyone, so you can join in with your loved ones at any time.
- Timing: Around 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Tips for YouTube Live Streaming
You shouldn’t take any close-ups of children’s and adults’ faces until allowed. Respect everyone’s privacy and don’t make them feel uncomfortable.
On top of this, if you are planning to participate in Dutty Mas, your equipment may also get some paint, mud, or chocolate stains. You should take proper care of that, or use a telephoto lens or a drone camera to capture the shots from a safe place without any interruption.
Monday: August 25 – Adult Day
Finally, it’s time for the loud, proud, and mayhem-filled day of the Notting Hill Carnival: Adult Day! You can join the Judging Zone Grandstand, which is open for everyone, and get lost in the MAS bands’ party vibes.
They wear striking costumes and play Soca and Calypso music, giving the event a Caribbean touch. There are around 40 sound systems or speakers that are blasting multiple tunes, so you can reach the peak climax.
From Jazz to Reggae and Hip Hop, you can jam to the music that perfectly suits your taste buds. The highlight of the carnival that can make its way to your YouTube live stream is the availability of Caribbean flavours. Whether it’s Jamaican jerk chicken for lunch or Caribbean coffee at night, you can taste a variety of things.
- Location: Emslie Horniman’s Pleasance
- Ticket: Free for everyone
- Timing: 10:30 AM to 7:00 PM
Tips for YouTube Live Streaming
Know that the crowd will be at its maximum during the Adult Day. Just to give you an idea, it can be three times that of many large-scale events. There is a high chance that you may end up colliding with random people, which can make the YouTube live stream shaky.
In addition, alcohol consumption is also expected to be high during this period, which poses public safety risks such as increased violence and accidents. Be very mindful!
Maintaining the Stability of Live Streaming
Undoubtedly, in crowds, it’s complicated to ensure the stability of your YouTube live stream equipment and find a smooth network connection. Not only this, but you may run out of charge in a crucial moment with nowhere to charge. All this requires you to carry equipment that’s stable, long-lasting, and portable. Let’s discuss a few options in detail:
Handheld Gimbal + Smartphone or Action Camera. For Higher-Quality Live Streaming, Consider a Portable 4K Camera.
First things first, you should get a handheld gimbal, which is a camera stabiliser. It’s particularly designed to eliminate shake and vibrations when recording a video, so the end results are smooth and professional-looking.
To complement this setup, you should invest in a smartphone or action camera that captures high-quality videos in dynamic situations.
It’s often worn or mounted for a hands-free experience. However, if you want top-notch video streaming, you may also consider a portable 4K camera for HD results.
Lapel Microphone or Wireless Microphone
A microphone is a must-have live streaming equipment for YouTubers as it ensures clear audio for viewers, enhancing their overall experience. Otherwise, the background noise can overwhelm your video, making voices and music almost inaudible.
If you need suggestions, then a lapel and a wireless microphone are both good options. The lapel microphone is quite small and clipped onto the clothing of the person for a hands-free experience.
A wireless microphone allows great freedom of movement. Invest in the one that suits your audio needs and budget.
Network: Aggregated Router, High-Data-Capacity Mobile SIM Card, Portable WiFi Hotspot, or Local eSIM Solution
Having an unstable network connection during the Notting Hill Carnival isn’t something new. But don’t stress out; you can try different solutions to stay assured that your YouTube live stream isn’t disturbed. Here are some:
- Aggregated Router: Aggregated routers are network devices that combine multiple incoming data streams into a single outgoing one, reducing network complexity and ensuring proper optimisation for good signal delivery.
- High-Data-Capacity Mobile SIM Card: High-Data-Capacity Mobile SIM Cards, especially those with 64K, 128K, and 256K capacities, support features like advanced data handling and compatibility with 3G/4G/LTE networks for smooth streams.
- Portable WiFi Hotspot: In simple words, it’s a small, portable device that uses cellular data to establish temporary WiFi connections. You can then connect your key streaming devices to the internet, capturing moments that matter the most.
- Local eSIM Solution: It’s an embedded SIM card that’s installed on your phone in the form of software. You can then switch between mobile networks to find the most stable connection.
High-Capacity Portable Power Bank: Recommended Jackery Explorer 300 Plus Portable Power Station
At carnivals, you’ll often be far away from electrical outlets. Even when you find a rest area, chances are that it might be without electricity, so your devices don’t get to power up. To avoid this, we suggest investing in a reliable and portable power bank like the Jackery Explorer 300 Plus Portable Power Station. Let’s discuss it in detail:
Jackery Explorer 300 Plus Portable Power Station
The Jackery Explorer 300 Plus Portable Power Station is a small yet powerful equipment featuring a 300 W pure sine wave inverter and a significant 288 Wh capacity. It can easily charge your essential YouTube live streaming equipment, from the camera to the microphone and other electronics.
What truly makes it stand out is its extremely lightweight build, as it weighs a mere 3.75 kg. You can easily carry it around the Notting Hill Carnival without any transportation issues. There’s a LiFePO4 battery that makes sure this portable power station lasts you for years.
Key Features
- 288 Wh capacity can power most of your YouTube live streaming devices.
- ChargeShield technology provides protection and quick charging, enhancing battery pack lifespan by 50%.
- Operates at ≤ 45dB, which is whisper-quiet, so you can record Notting Hill Carnival music without disturbing the vibe.
- Lifepo4 battery and shock resistance features significantly extend its lifespan.
Other Accessories: Portable Lighting, Electronic Device Storage Bag, Rain Gear
Some other accessories that you should pack are portable lighting to navigate crowds safely at night. You also need an electronic device storage bag where you can keep all your expensive cameras, microphones, and smartphones to protect them against damage and theft. Don’t forget to pack your rain gear as the UK weather can get unpredictable at times.
Important Tips for Live Streaming
Before you actually start YouTube live streaming, you need to follow some important tips, such as:
Personal and Property Safety
Theft isn’t something uncommon in the UK. To avoid such scenarios, we suggest keeping your non-essential items at home. Store all your valuables in a crossbody bag and wear it all the time so your investment stays safe and you’ve a good live streaming experience.
Content Compliance
YouTube has some strict content policies regarding what can be displayed to the end audience. Therefore, during your YouTube live streaming, you should always follow the rules of this community.
Meeting Point
As mentioned earlier, mobile signals at Notting Hill Carnival can be quite unstable. If you are travelling with friends or a group, decide on a meeting point beforehand. Once the carnival activities end, everyone should gather there to prevent getting lost in the crowd.
Conclusion
Going to the Notting Hill Carnival this year and doing YouTube live streaming can be a pretty amazing experience. However, if you are searching for a durable power source to support your recording devices, visit Jackery today. Get your hands on their innovative power solutions and embrace a greener lifestyle!
