List of Caribbean carnivals around the world

Trinidad and Tobago Carnival

Caribbean Carnival is the term used in the English-speaking world for a series of events, held annually throughout almost the whole year in many Caribbean islands and worldwide.

The Caribbean's carnivals have several common themes, all originating from Trinidad and Tobago Carnival, also known as the Mother of Carnival, whose popularity and appeal began well before 1846, and gained global recognition in 1881 with the Canboulay riots in Port of Spain. Trinidad Carnival is based on folklore, culture, religion, and tradition (thus relating to the European use of the word, not amusement rides, as the word "carnival" is often used to mean in American English. Carnival tradition is based on a number of disciplines including: Parade of the Bands /Carnival parade /"Playing Mas"/masquerade; calypso music; soca music and crowning a Calypso monarch aka Calypso King; Soca monarch aka Soca King; Panorama (steelpan/steelband competition); Old mas aka Traditional mas competition; J'ouvert celebrations inclusive of traditional characters such as jab molassie / jab jab, Moko Jumbie, Dame Lorraine, Blue Devil; and a number of other Trinidad Carnival / Trinidadian traditions.

Local Caribbean carnivals

Mocko jumbie, St. John Festival, USVI

Approximate dates are given for the concluding festivities. Carnival season may last for more than a month prior to the concluding festivities, and the exact dates vary from year to year.

International Caribbean carnivals

Canada

Carifest Parade in Calgary
  • "Caribe-Expo" — In the city of Ottawa in Ontario, Canada.
  • "Carifiesta" — In the city of Montreal in Quebec, Canada, typically 2–3 weeks before Toronto's carnival
  • "Toronto Caribbean Carnival — In Toronto, Ontario, it draws close to a million visitors to the city.
  • "Carnival"(cancelled) — In the city of Hamilton, 1 week after Toronto's Caribana.
  • "Carifest" — In the city of Calgary in Alberta, Canada.
  • "Cariwest" — Held annually the second week of August in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, drawing more than 60,000 visitors a year. Cariwest boasts an amazing display of masqueraders in the main parade, and is a beautiful festival full of food and entertainment in the heart of downtown.
  • Barrie's Caribfest (parade has been cancelled since 2011)
  • CariBridge Caribbean Carnival in Lethbridge Alberta brings a unique and diverse culture to southern Alberta and focuses on bringing Caribbean culture through food, music, dance, and art.

A unique attraction distinguishing this Caribbean event is its location. This dynamic, exciting event features some of the best Canadian and international Caribbean performers in music, dance, costumes, and world drumming. Events are held from Friday to Sunday throughout every third weekend of August. The Grand Parade in Toronto is held on the first Saturday of August to commemorate the abolition of the slave trade on August 1, 1838.

France

2014 Tropical Carnival of Paris
  • Carnaval Antillais de Colombes — every year late June.
  • Carnaval Tropical de Paris — every year early July.
  • Carnaval de Montpellier — every year in February.
  • Carnaval of French West Indies, about two months between the Sunday of Epiphany and Ash Wednesday

Germany

The Netherlands

  • Rotterdam — "Summer Carnival" Zomercarnaval: occurs every year in July. Each year there are more than 800.000 visitors.

United Kingdom

Notting Hill Carnival, London
Chapeltown Carnival, Leeds
Leicester Caribbean Carnival

United States

Labor Day Carnival, United States

See also


This page was last updated at 2023-12-28 09:34 UTC. Update now. View original page.

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