Notting Hill Carnival and the London School of Samba


Performing in our carnival parades is an amazing experience. The Notting Hill Carnival is the biggest party in the world and our largest parade. We have people from all over the world join us for this special day. The 2018 parade will be the London School of Samba‘s 34th year in the carnival. This year our theme is “The beauties of the Sea”.

There are many ways that you can get involved in one of our carnivals, these include: playing in the bateria, dancing in one of our alas, designing and building the floats, writing, singing or playing the samba de enredo, designing the costumes, helping to make the costumes, stewarding, publicity, photographing and filming the parade, plus many more!


More information on our previous parades in carnivals can be found by clicking on the links below:

2016 – Somewhere Under The Rainbow
2015 – Voodoo Samba: The Dark Cabaret
2014 – Celebrating 30 years of LSS, Ambassadors of Samba…
2013 – Children of the Sun: The Quest for El Dorado
2012 – Passing the Flame
2011 – Zé Malandro and the Forty Thieves
2010 – Gods, Myths and Monsters
2009 – A History of Samba
2008 – The Green Man
2007 – 200th anniversary of the abolition of the slave trade
2006 – All aboard the LSS: Uma Viagem Através do Mar de Londres a Brasil
2005 – United in Green & White on the Road for Peace & Hope
2004 – Feliz Aniversário Unidos de Londres é Carnaval de Notting Hill
2003 – Black Orpheus in Notting Hill
2002 – A World in the Balance
2001 – The Future is Here: Let’s shake it up!
2000 – 500 Years, Happy Birthday Brazil!
1999 – Flying Down to Rio
1998 – Burning Up!
1997 – Colours of Brazil
1996 – Sambaquarius
1995 – Star Trek – Human Aspiration & Exploration
1994 – Carnival: Passion of the World
1993 – Riches of the Amazon
1992 – London School of Samba performed at Edinburgh Festival instead of Notting Hill Carnival
1991 – Behind the Mask
1990 – Africa, Brazil, London
1989 – Fire in the Forest
1988 – Gods of Freedom
1987 – Black Brazil – The Culture and the Liberty
1986 – Alice in Sambaland
1985 – If you’ve never heard Samba, Listen!
1984 – Homage to Mocidade and Padre Miguel


Support the London School of Samba

Putting on shows and parades of the quality that we produce takes a lot of hard work, and costs a lot of money! We’re always on the look out for new sponsors and donations. If you would like to find out more about becoming a sponsor, go to our contacts page and get in touch.

We’re always looking for volunteers that are good at finding us new sponsors, or finding ways to raise money. If that’s you then please get in touch now.

If you would like to donate, no matter how big or small then please go to our donations page.

The easiest and quickest way to donate is via text (thanks to vodaphone and justtextgiving):
Just text this code: LSSY27
and the amount you wish to donate £1, £2, £3, £4, £5 or £10
to this number: 70070
You will then receive a confirmation text explaining how you can add 25% to your donation for free with Gift Aid.
This works from any mobile, using any network.
LSS will receive 100% of the donation and sending the text is free!


We’re very grateful to have received funding for our 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 summer of carnivals from the Arts Council’s Lottery Fund.