Notting Hill Carnival
Carnival will take place on Sunday 28 and Monday 29 August 2016 Oli Scarff/Getty

This bank holiday weekend will once against see as many as two million people hit the streets of west London as the annual Notting Hill carnival comes into town. Visitors from all across the world take part in the biggest street party in Europe to enjoy the Caribbean-themed music, costumes, food and dancing.

One of the highlights of the entire weekend is the huge parades which makes it way through the Notting Hill streets, beginning at 10am on the Sunday (28 August) and Monday until around 8:30pm.

The main parade starts on Great Western Road before making its way along Chepstow Road on to Westbourne Grove, then finishing Ladbroke Grove. The route is more than 3.5 miles and will see as many as 60 bands, sound systems and performers in dazzling costumes.

Away from the parade, there are also 38 static sound systems playing a variety of music for revellers to dance to throughout the day, as well as food, drink and after-parties until the early hours.

Met spokesperson for Carnival, Superintendent Robyn Williams, said he hopes this weekend's event will be enjoyable for families and partygoers alike. Police said planning for this year's Carnival has focused on revellers making use of the designated entry and exit points to prevent bottlenecks, and they are asking those driving vehicles in the parade to stick to the prearranged departure times, ensuring the event runs smoothly and safely.

Williams said: "This weekend is the highlight of the year, not only for the Caribbean community, but also for many visitors from London and the rest of the country. The Met has worked hard to ensure that Carnival is a safe and enjoyable weekend for everyone who attends, and I would ask all Carnival-goers to enjoy this family event and make sure that you follow officers' and stewards' instructions."

Superintendent Williams' tips for people attending Carnival:

Public transport will be busy, so check the TfL website and plan your journey in advance. Some stations may be closed or exit-only.

Go with the flow of the crowd – don't walk against it. Police officers are there to help, and sometimes they may ask you to walk a longer route for safety reasons. Police officers will also be handing out maps of the area at the event.

Have a set meeting place in case you lose family or friends – do not rely on your mobile phone. In fact, try to keep your phone out of sight to deter thieves.

Avoid bringing valuables, too much cash or wearing expensive jewellery. These are things which will tempt opportunistic thieves.

When the party is over, you still need to keep safe, so stay alert as you make your way home.

Notting Hill
Notting Hill Carnival Reuters