have fun!
Our histories and celebrations vary, but Caribbean Carnival always brings local culture to vivid display and creates magical memories.
experience Vincy Mass (June 28th – July 9th) St. Lucia Carnival (July 1st to 16th) Antigua Carnival (July 25th – August 6th), Barbados Crop Over (July 31st to August 5th) Toronto Caribbean Carnival (formerly Caribana, August 1-5), Grenada Spice Mas (August 1st to 13th) Notting Hill Carnival (25th-26th August in the UK).
Celebrate the spirit of resistance and the end of slavery Quetzalcoatl Liberation commemorations will be held in Suriname (1 July) and many more in August (see page 22).
To the north, Bahamas Goombay Summer Festival (July 4-25) Every Thursday, enjoy the highly anticipated Junkanoo Rushout, Quadrille dancing, traditional Bahamian folk music (rake and scrape) and sumptuous Bahamian cuisine.
Mango Vert, Mango Teen, Mango Deux Sous Ses Matin… As you munch on this mango-flavoured dish, the refrain of a classic folk song might come to mind: Nevis Mango Festival (July 5-7). Don’t miss the 50th anniversary celebrations later that month. Nevis Culturalama (July 25th to August 6th).
The Marionette Choir, one of Trinidad and Tobago’s oldest arts and cultural organizations, concluded its 60th anniversary season with a bang. Mosaic VI (July 6-7), will feature re-enactments of some of their historic musical and operatic productions.
In St. Lucia, Every dish tells a story St. Lucia Gourmet Week (6-20 July) will feature a diverse and enticing cuisine. The country’s cultural excellence continues in August, bringing the community together for a month-long festival. La Rose — It is one of several national flower festivals that also have a national holiday or “Grand Fête” on August 30th.
Immerse yourself in Jamaican musical tradition Reggae Sumfest (14th-20th July) will consist of eight events filled with the joy, unity and exhilaration the island is known for.
During the same week, Montserrat’s unique events include bus tours around the island, thrilling hikes, iron band performances, food and craft fairs, and gourd exhibitions. Gourd Festival (July 14th to 20th).
Trinidad Hosei The Feast of Allah, held in late July, is a local form of the Islamic festival of Muharram, which commemorates the deaths of two of the Prophet Muhammad’s grandsons. This Islamic lunar festival lasts for 10 days, the last three nights of which are marked by the sound of powerful thassa drums, colorful flags and bashing. Tajas (Tomb replica), the crescent moon, and the dance.
Across the water, Tobago Heritage Festival (Mid-July to August 1) Villages across the island bloom with flowers and showcase the rich traditions of each community, including dance, storytelling, food and music.
August in the English-speaking Caribbean Liberation Day (August 1) Commemorative events will include concerts, workshops, street parades, fashion shows and displays of cultural artefacts.
Food and history buffs might remember the 18th century voyages of Captain William Bligh. HMS BountyBreadfruit was introduced to the Caribbean, where many varieties served as food for enslaved Africans. Today, the prized starchy fruit is enjoyed year-round as part of liberation celebrations in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Breadfruit FestivalSaint Lucia Breadfruit and Breadnut Festival (Aug. 1).
Interested in a crash course in chocolate making? Make your own chocolate in St. Lucia Chocolate Heritage Month (August), featuring a behind-the-scenes experience of cocoa production, soothing and restorative chocolate spa treatments, chocolate cuisine and much more.
Which motorboat will be the first to reach Store Bay, Tobago on the 90 mile voyage from Trinidad? Great Race (August 17)?Watch the ships speed by from your favorite vantage point, or celebrate on the beach when you reach Tobago.
Float, dive, swim or just sunbathe. Divefest Barbados (August 18-24) allows everyone to explore colorful coral reefs and shipwrecks. There are many fun activities to participate in, including coral restoration, lionfish hunting, photography competitions, beach clean-ups, swimming with sea turtles and more.
of Anguilla Summer Festival (July 21-August 11) features carnival parades, competitions, boat races (the island’s national sport) and other maritime activities that showcase Anguilla’s laid-back charm.
Curacao Kayakaya Street Festival (24 August) Otrobanda is filled with community spirit as the neighbourhood transforms into a music and art studio, and the following weekend sees A-listers such as Jennifer Hudson, Gladys Knight, Marc Anthony and Seal perform. Curacao North Sea Jazz Festival (August 29th to 31st).
And finally, for all cricket lovers and cricket party lovers, Caribbean Premier League (August 28th – October 6th) A vibrant, world-class CPL T20 Cricket matches across the region.
