Recognized for its intriguing cultures, vibrant festivals, fun carnivals, beautiful forests, soft sands, luscious forests, and luxury resorts, the Caribbean is a dream getaway for a lot of. One wonderful means of experiencing every nation’s tradition at its best although, is by attending one of many many festivals and occasions that happen within the Caribbean yearly.
That can assist you discover the very best occasions to attend throughout your keep, we’ve put collectively a listing of the ten greatest occasions within the Caribbean, so you’ll be able to uncover the very best festivals, road events, and crusing regattas within the area.
Antigua Crusing Week: Antigua
In case you’re searching for a extra upscale celebration, why not attend one of many world’s most prestigious Yacht racing occasions?
This regatta takes place in Antigua yearly, normally across the finish of April / starting of Might, as crusing yachts and boats journey to this small Caribbean island for this week-long occasion of a sequence of races across the island.
Cayman’s Pirate Week: The Cayman Islands
Giving ‘The Pirates of the Caribbean’ a complete new which means is the Pirate Week, happening throughout the three Cayman Islands for a complete week each November.
This competition celebrates the historical past of Pirates with road dances, firework shows, costume contests, parades, and much more for the entire household to get pleasure from. So for those who like consuming rum, dressing like a pirate, and strolling the plank, be sure you get pleasure from Pirate Week as a part of your subsequent trip.
Reggae Sumfest: Jamaica
An incredible fusion of traditional Jamaican meals, tradition, and drinks, Reggae Sumfest is among the greatest festivals round for lovers of Jamaica and its music scene. Referred to by many because the Caribbean’s model of Coachella, Reggae Sumfest was created when Reggae Sunsplash (the nation’s earlier number-one music competition) got here to an finish in 1991.
Reggae Sumfest brings 6 nights of enjoyable to the Island of Jamaica yearly through the month of July and boasts some wonderful sights, corresponding to a white occasion, a seashore occasion, nice music, and lots to drink. The competition has welcomed performances from a bunch of names recognized internationally, corresponding to Shaggy, Sean Paul, Rihanna, Nicki Minaj, Usher, Wiz Khalifa, 50 Cent, and Kanye West, in addition to most of the Caribbean’s greatest artists.
Junkanoo: The Bahamas
In case you’re visiting the Caribbean over the Christmas period, you’ll need to head on over to the Bahamas for Boxing Day! Going down simply after Christmas, this competition boasts teams in garish costumes that commemorate the Bahamian tradition.
The Junkanoo celebrations started as a side of African chattel slavery in British American colonies, and so have roots in West African tradition. It dates again to the celebrations of the plantation slaves throughout their three-day trip yearly, over the Christmas interval.
It’s an all-night occasion although, so as a substitute of heading to mattress on the finish of Christmas Day, take a brief nap, and head out onto the streets between the hours of 1:00 am and 9:00 am on Boxing Day, the place you’ll be able to get pleasure from Goombay music and heaps of individuals hoping to be topped the Finest Junkanoo Group.
Planning on attending the competition Vacationers are inspired to hitch in, nevertheless, you’ll first have to search for the Nationwide Junkanoo Affiliation’s guidelines to make sure you know what to do.
Barbados Crop Over: Barbados
In case you’re planning a visit to Barbados between July and August, and need to get pleasure from continuous dancing, continuous enjoyable, and continuous rum, then this occasion is one for you! Verify the annual dates of the Barbados Crop Over, an annual celebration of the sugar crop harvest.
Going down on the streets of Barbados, this occasion lasts for just a few weeks at a time annually, and vacationers can immerse themselves on this fun-filled celebration too. The Barbados Crop Over culminates in a Kadooment Day grand carnival parade, with folks dancing within the streets, adorned with vibrant colours, feathers, sequins, and every thing else you would possibly affiliate with a Caribbean Carnival.
Trinidad and Tobago Carnival: Trinidad and Tobago
Every nation within the Caribbean boasts its personal distinctive celebrations, and Trinidad and Tobago isn’t any completely different. Going down on the island of Trinidad, parades line the streets through the Monday and Tuesday earlier than Ash Wednesday yearly, and this two-day celebration options vibrant colours, flavorful music, and loads of dancing and enjoyable!
In case you’re trying to witness a really spectacular Caribbean Carnival, then that is one to be at!
Jamaica’s Insurgent Salute: Jamaica
One other one of many Caribbean’s greatest music festivals is, after all, one other which takes place in Jamaica and is famously often known as Insurgent Salute. Celebrating the wealthy Reggae tradition of Jamaica, Insurgent Salute was created by Tony Insurgent and his staff, and for 30 years has captivated audiences by striving to ship the most important showcase of roots reggae and culturally themed dancehall music competition.
Insurgent Salute takes place in January and is a two-night occasion the place cultural music, enjoyable dancing, and nice drinks are available. In case you’re planning on attending this occasion, it should be famous that smoking weed just isn’t permitted on the competition, a uncommon occasion in Jamaica.
Junkanoo Pageant: Turks & Caicos
Much like the Junkanoo competition within the Bahamas, the Junkanoo competition of Turks and Caicos has roots in West African tradition and dates again to the celebrations of the plantation slaves throughout their three days off per 12 months.
Celebrated throughout December and January, this vibrant occasion options locals in handmade costumes, taking to the streets and infrequently taking part in conventional ripsaw or rake-and-scrape music. There’s an enormous number of devices to be seen and loads of enjoyable available.
In case you’ll be visiting at a unique time of 12 months, nevertheless, there’s a museum situated in downtown Nassau, Providenciales, devoted to the Junkanoo custom. Throughout the competition, it’s the place most of the greatest celebrations happen.
Spicemas: Grenada, Carriacou, Petite Martinique
Going down in August throughout a ten-day interval, Grenada, Carriacou, and Petite Martinique all have fun the intriguing Spicemas Carnival (often known as August Mas regionally). This Carnival started within the late 1800’s and happens yearly in a medley of calypso and soca beats, and pageantry.
The Sunday grand parade (Dimanche Gras) takes place within the harbor capital of Saint George’s, however one fascinating and distinctive factor of this competition to not be missed is the Monday J’ouvert parade, the place conventional Satan Mas bands dance by way of the streets from their parishes.
St Lucia Carnival: St Lucia
First happening simply after WWII led to 1947, the St Lucia Carnival began out as a small group of individuals banging on glass bottles, wearing ragged clothes, parading the streets.
Now, the competition takes place yearly, as an emblem of freedom and faith, and the opening road occasion is an occasion to not be missed for those who’re touring to St Lucia throughout this occasion. Vacationers are greater than inspired to hitch in with the festivities.
Partygoers sometimes put on extravagant, feather-filled headpieces, and dance within the streets to banjos and drums, in addition to calypso, reggae, and soca music.
Every year, a Carnival queen is chosen to take the crown too!
Which of those wonderful occasions would you prefer to attend? Tell us within the feedback! In case you’re planning on visiting the Caribean for a getaway, and want help in planning your dream journey, head on over to our Contact Us web page, the place you may get in contact with one in every of our trusted journey advisors.
