Your Guide to Carnival

The greatest show on earth. Trinidad Carnival is the mother of all Caribbean carnivals — a two-day explosion of soca, mas, and jouvert that draws hundreds of thousands to the streets of Port of Spain.

✦ The original Caribbean carnival experience

One of the longest carnival celebrations in the Caribbean, Aruba's carnival spans almost two months of parades, music competitions, and the spectacular Grand Parade through Oranjestad.

✦ Two months of non-stop celebration

The 'Real Mas' of the Caribbean — Dominica's pre-Lenten carnival is known for its traditional sensay costumes, bouyon music, and the famous jump-up through the Nature Isle's capital.

✦ The Real Mas of the Caribbean

Bermuda's carnival brings Caribbean mas culture to the mid-Atlantic with a stunning Raft Up boat party, J'ouvert, and a road parade through the pastel streets of Hamilton.

✦ Carnival in paradise

The nation's capital hosts a vibrant Caribbean carnival celebration with colorful costumes, steelpan performances, soca music, and a parade through D.C.

✦ Caribbean vibes in the capital

St. Lucia's summer carnival features vibrant mas bands, soca music, and the famous jouvert morning celebrations winding through the streets of Castries against a stunning tropical backdrop.

✦ Summer carnival in paradise

A growing Caribbean carnival on the Virginia coast featuring mas bands, Caribbean music, island cuisine, and a beachside party atmosphere that blends carnival culture with ocean vibes.

✦ Carnival meets the beach

Vincy Mas is the hottest carnival in the Caribbean — literally and culturally. Known for its raw energy, incredible soca competitions, and authentic Caribbean spirit.

✦ The hottest carnival in the Caribbean

Houston's Caribbean festival brings island culture to Texas with a lively parade, soca and reggae performances, Caribbean food, and the energy of a growing Caribbean diaspora.

✦ Island culture meets Texas — 4th of July weekend

Antigua's carnival celebrates emancipation with 10 days of revelry including J'ouvert, the colorful Parade of Bands, calypso and soca monarch competitions, and the legendary Last Lap.

✦ Celebrating freedom and culture

North America's largest Caribbean carnival. The Toronto Caribbean Carnival (Caribana) draws over a million visitors with its Grand Parade along Lake Shore Boulevard — a spectacular display of costumes, music, and culture.

✦ North America's largest Caribbean festival

Crop Over is Barbados' biggest cultural festival, culminating in Grand Kadooment Day — a spectacular road parade of costumed revellers, calypso tents, and the crowning of the Soca Monarch.

✦ Grand Kadooment Day — first Monday of August

Grenada's Spicemas features the unique Jab Jab tradition — revellers covered in oil, mud, and paint dancing through the streets. A raw, authentic carnival experience unlike any other.

✦ The legendary Jab Jab experience

Boston's Caribbean Carnival parade features colorful costumes, soca and calypso music, Caribbean cuisine, and a joyful celebration of the city's vibrant West Indian community.

✦ Boston's Caribbean celebration

Europe's biggest street festival and the world's second-largest carnival. Notting Hill brings Caribbean culture to the streets of West London with mas bands, sound systems, and two million revellers.

✦ Europe's biggest street festival

The West Indian American Day Carnival on Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn is one of NYC's most iconic cultural events. Massive mas bands, soca trucks, Caribbean food vendors, and J'ouvert at dawn.

✦ Brooklyn's legendary Labor Day celebration

One of the largest Caribbean carnivals in the US. Miami Carnival features a massive road march, J'ouvert, soca and reggae concerts, and a vibrant Caribbean food and culture festival.

✦ Largest Caribbean carnival in the US

Tobago's October Carnival brings the island's unique culture to life with vibrant mas bands, steelpan, and the laid-back Tobago vibe that's distinct from its sister island.

✦ Intimate island carnival experience

Junkanoo is the Bahamas' iconic street parade featuring elaborate handmade costumes, goatskin drums, cowbells, and brass instruments. Groups compete in a spectacular display of artistry and rhythm.

✦ Spectacular handmade costume artistry

Mashramani celebrates Guyana's Republic Day with floats, costumed bands, calypso and soca competitions, and a massive street party through Georgetown.

✦ Celebration of a job well done

Jamaica Carnival brings soca and dancehall together in an electrifying fusion. Road marches through Kingston with elaborate costumes, pumping music, and the unmistakable Jamaican energy.

✦ Where soca meets dancehall

The US Virgin Islands carnival features elaborate moko jumbies (stilt walkers), steel pan competitions, calypso tents, and a colorful Carnival Village.

✦ Home of the Moko Jumbie tradition

Atlanta Carnival is one of the Southeast's premier Caribbean events, featuring a vivid parade of mas bands, top soca artists, J'ouvert morning, and a massive Caribbean food and culture festival.

✦ The Southeast's premier Caribbean event

Connecticut's premier Caribbean carnival brings the islands to New England with colorful mas bands, steelpan, soca, and Caribbean food along a vibrant parade route through Hartford.

✦ New England's Caribbean celebration