Notting Hill Carnival 2021 has been cancelled.

In a statement issued today (18th June), the board at London's Notting Hill Carnival announced that this year's event, which was scheduled for the 29th and 30th August, will no longer take place amid concerns surrounding the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.  

Update 18/06/2021: Tomorrowland have shared a statement with DJ Mag clarifying the circumstances surrounding the local government's decision to not allow the festival to go ahead this year. Read it below. 

Tomorrowland 2021 has been cancelled by Belgian officials.

Berlin is set to ease coronavirus restrictions on its nightclubs this week.

Chicago's Lollapalooza festival is offering 1,200 free tickets to those who get vaccinated in the city in the coming weeks.

The initiative has been set up to help boost vaccine uptake in the city as the US emerges from widespread lockdowns as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The festival is scheduled to go ahead from July 29th to August 1st, after almost all coronavirus restrictions are lifted in Chicago.

The Association of Independent Festivals (AIF) has renewed its call for an urgent intervention from the UK government for festivals this summer after the easing of coronavirus restrictions was delayed by a month.

Boris Johnson has announced that there will be a four-week delay for lockdown easing, with the initial date for the relaxation of social distancing measures in England on 21st June pushed back to 19th July.

The delay comes amidst the rise in cases of the new Delta variant, which now accounts for the majority of coronavirus cases in the UK, and the risk of a substantial third wave as numbers are said to have risen faster than projected.

With the UK government today (June 14th) expected to announce a delay by four weeks of the relaxation of social distancing measures, the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) has warned this could have stark consequences for the UK's nightlife industry without greater targeted support.

According to a survey of the NTIA's member businesses, one in four businesses will not survive longer than a month without more support and 50% will not survive longer than two months without such help.

Most existing coronavirus restriction will remain in place in England for another four weeks after the planned June 21st unlocking, according to government sources.

The BBC has been told that senior ministers have signed off on plans to delay the full easing of social distancing measures, which means capacity limits on clubs, bars, pubs, sporting events and various hospitality destinations will likely remain in place until late July. 

With rumours gathering pace that the UK government may delay the full relaxation of social distancing measures currently planned for June 21st, the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) has issued a warning that any such decision will be "catastrophic" for the hospitality and night-time sectors.

The June reopening date for clubs in England is reportedly set to be delayed.

Back in February, the UK Government outlined its roadmap for lifting the coronavirus lockdown in line with the ongoing vaccine rollout. It was announced that on 21st June, all restrictions on social contact would be lifted, meaning that nightclubs across the country could open their doors for the first time since the beginning of lockdown in March 2020.