List of Caribbean carnivals around the world

Caribbean Carnival^[1] 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.^[2]

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.^[3] 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.^[4] 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.^[1]

Local Caribbean carnivals

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.

Anguilla — Anguilla Summer Festival, early August^[5]
Antigua and Barbuda
- Antigua — Antigua Carnival, early August^[6]
- Barbuda — Caribana, early June^[7]
Aruba — Carnival, February, Ash Wednesday^[8]
Austria — Vienna Carnival, first weekend in July
Barbados — Crop Over, early August^[9]
Bahamas - Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival, first week of May^[10]
Belize — Carnival, September^[11]
Bermuda — Bermuda Carnival (third weekend in June) https://carnivalinbermuda.com/
Bonaire — Carnival, February Ash Wednesday^[12]
British Virgin Islands
- Tortola — BVI Emancipation (August) Festival, early August^[13]
- Virgin Gorda — Virgin Gorda Easter Festival Celebrations, late March/early April^[14]
Canada
- Toronto — Caribana Toronto Caribbean Carnival (early August)
Cayman Islands — Batabano, late April/early May^[15]
Cuba
- Cuba — Carnival of Santiago de Cuba, July^[16]
- Cuba — Havana Carnival, July/August^[17]
Curaçao — Carnival, February, Ash Wednesday^[18]
Dominica — Carnival, February, Ash Wednesday^[19]
Dominican Republic — Dominican Carnival, February, Dominican Independence Day^[20]
French Guiana — Carnival in French Guiana usually takes place between Epiphany and Ash Wednesday, ending on Mardi Gras.
Grenada
- Carriacou — Carriacou Carnival, February, Ash Wednesday^[21]
- Grenada — Spicemas, early August^[22]
Guadeloupe — Carnaval - February, Ash Wednesday^[23]
Guyana — Mashramani (Mash), February 23, Guyanese Republic Day^[24]
Guyana — Guyana Carnival, Mid-May,^[25]
Haiti — Kanaval, February, Ash Wednesday^[26]
Jamaica — Bacchanal, late March/early April^[27]
Jamaica — Xodus, April ^[28]
Jamaica —Gen XS, late March/April^[29]
Martinique — Carnival, February, Ash Wednesday^[30]
Montserrat — Montserrat Festival, mid-December to early January, New Year's Day^[31]
Puerto Rico — Carnaval de Ponce, February, Ash Wednesday^[32]
Saba — Saba Summer Festival, late July/early August^[33]
Saint-Barthélemy — Carnival, February, Ash Wednesday^[34]
Saint Lucia — Carnival, July^[35]
Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Saint Kitts — Carnival, December/January^[36]
- Nevis — Culturama, late July/early August^[37]
Saint-Martin — Carnival, February, Ash Wednesday^[38]
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines — Vincy Mas, late June/early July^[39]
Saint Eustatius — Statia Carnival, late July/early August^[40]
Sint Maarten — Carnival, late April/early May^[41]
Trinidad and Tobago
- Trinidad — Carnival, February, Ash Wednesday^[42]
- Tobago — Tobago Carnival, February, Ash Wednesday^[43]
Turks and Caicos Islands — Junkanoo Jump Up, in January
United Kingdom - Leeds and London, late August.
United States Virgin Islands
- Saint Croix — Crucian Carnival, late December/early January Three King's Day^[44]
- Saint John — St. John Festival, June through July 3 & 4, V.I. Emancipation Day and U.S. Independence Day^[45]
- Saint Thomas — V.I. Carnival, April through early May^[46]
- Saba, Dutch Caribbean - carnival, late July to August.

International Caribbean carnivals

Canada

"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^[47] (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

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^[48]

Germany

Berlin — Karneval der Kulturen (Carnival of Cultures),^[49] every year in May (Whitsuntide weekend)
Cologne — Cologne WKNDR, every year in July.

The Netherlands

Rotterdam — "Summer Carnival" Zomercarnaval: occurs every year in July. Each year there are more than 800.000 visitors.^[50]

United Kingdom

Birmingham — Birmingham International Carnival, Birmingham
Leicester — Leicester Caribbean Carnival, at Victoria Park, Leicester
London — Notting Hill Carnival, in Ladbroke Grove, West London; the largest open outdoor event in Europe
Leeds — Leeds West Indian Carnival, sometimes called Chapeltown Carnival in Leeds; the oldest West Indian Carnival in Europe
Manchester — Manchester Caribbean Carnival; the second-oldest Caribbean Carnival in the country, in Alexandra Park, Manchester
Nottingham - Nottingham Caribbean Carnival, at Victoria Embankment in Nottingham
Bristol — St Pauls Carnival in Bristol
Preston — Preston Caribbean Carnival in Preston, Lancashire
Derby - Derby Caribbean Carnival, at Osmanston Park, Derby

United States

Atlanta Carnival^[51] Atlanta, Georgia — Last weekend in May, usually falls on Memorial Day weekend
Austin, Texas — Carnaval Brasileiro, February 3
Austin, Texas — Austin Summer Carnival, September 26 (FALL EQUINOX) End of Summer Celebration, Last weekend of Summer
Baltimore, Maryland — Baltimore Caribbean-American Festival held every July in Clifton Park neighborhood in Baltimore.^[52]
Boston, Massachusetts — last Saturday in August, Dorchester, Massachusetts
Cambridge, Massachusetts — Cambridge Carnival International, Sunday following Labor Day — Held in Kendall Square
Chicago, Illinois — Windy City Carnival formerly Chicago CARIFETE, third Saturday in August, on the Midway Plaisance in the confines of the University of Chicago Campus. (http://windycitycarnival.com/)
Dallas Carnival - Typically held the 3rd weekend in September.
Miami Broward Caribbean Carnival ^[53] Miami, FL — the second weekend in October, Columbus Day weekend.
Hartford, CT - Established in 1962, the West Indian Independence Celebration carnival parade and free concert takes place the second week of August in downtown Hartford.
Houston, Texas — usually the weekend around Fourth of July. For 2017, the Ultimate Mega Fest (UMF) kicks off the Houston Caribbean festival season with soca, reggae, chutney, and Latin music.
Jersey City, New Jersey — the fourth Saturday of July from Lincoln Park (Jersey City) parade route leading to the Festival at Exchange Place.
Las Vegas, Nevada — Las Vegas Latin Caribfest —last weekend in October (www.lvcaribfest.com)
Long Island, New York — weekend after Labor Day Carnival — Held in Hempstead
Los Angeles, California — Hollywood Carnival, Parade of the Bands, fourth weekend of June.
Madison, Wisconsin — Handphibians Carnaval!, Every year close to Brazilian Carnaval. February 24/25 in 2017.^[54]
Minneapolis, Minnesota — CARIFEST — usually held the fourth weekend of July along West River Road right next to the Mississippi River. (www.Carifest.org)

New Orleans, Louisiana — in November, the bayou Bacchanal^[55] is held on the first Saturday in downtown and Armstrong Park.
New Orleans, Louisiana — The last full weekend of June, the NOLA Caribbean Festival^[56] host seven events in four days, including pre-parties, pool-parties, parades, and a Caribbean festival with music, food and crafts from all over the Caribbean.
New Orleans, Louisiana — The last full weekend of June, the New Orleans Caribbean Carnival^[57] usually held in conjunction with the New Orleans Caribbean Experience, host a series of parties, four events, three days in celebration of the New Orleans Caribbean Carnival 2021!!
New York, New York — Labor Day Carnival — held in Brooklyn, along Eastern Parkway, with more than 2.3 million visitors annually
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Held on Father's day weekend in the historic Fairmount Park.
Orlando, Florida — usually held the last weekend in May, which is typically Memorial Day weekend. Most recently been held at the Citrus Bowl.
Raleigh/Durham, North Carolina CaribMask ^[58] usually held on the third Saturday in August.
San Francisco, California — ^[59] Carnaval San Francisco — last weekend in May, usually falls on Memorial Day weekend
Seattle, Washington — Umoja Fest in early August.
Tacoma, Washington — PLU campus Carnival, near Fat Tuesday
Tampa, Florida — usually held at the beginning of June in St. Petersburg, Florida (Greater Tampa Bay Area), at Vinoy Park. Moved for 2011 to Raymond James Stadium.
Norfolk, Virginia — Virginia CaribFest^[60](2nd weekend in July).
Washington, D.C. — DC Caribbean Festival,^[61] usually between June 16–24 every year.
Worcester, Massachusetts — Worcester Caribbean American Carnival,^[62] The day after Boston, MA Carnival.
Charleston Carifest, Charleston, South Carolina — usually after Spoleto around the third weekend in June. This carnival celebration is held in honour of Caribbean American Heritage Month.

References

^ ^a ^b "WIADRA westindian carnival organisation". Retrieved 17 June 2016.
^ "List of Carnival and the world". Retrieved 17 June 2016.
^ "A brief History of Carnival". Retrieved 17 June 2016.
^ "Meaning of "carnival" in the English Dictionary". Retrieved 17 June 2016.
^ Anguilla Summer Festival
^ Antigua Carnival Facebook page
^ Barbuda Caribana Facebook page
^ Visit Aruba: Aruba Carnival
^ Barbados Crop Over Calendar
^ "Bahamas Events - Fishing Tournaments and Annual Festivals".
^ Belize Carnival
^ Tourism Bonaire: Carnival on Bonaire
^ "BVI August Festival". Bareboats BVI. Archived from the original on 2015-12-28.
^ BVI Tourism: Virgin Gorda Easter Festival Celebrations
^ Cayman Carnival Batabano
^ Cuban Adventures: Carnival in Santiago de Cuba
^ Cuba Absolutely: The Havana Carnival
^ Curaçao Carnival Info: Schedule
^ Dominica Carnival
^ Dominican Republic Carnival / Carnaval
^ Party Grenada: Carriacou Carnival Archived 2013-06-30 at archive.today
^ Spicemas
^ Guadeloupe Islands Tourist Board: Carnaval Archived 2013-05-30 at the Wayback Machine
^ Guyana Government Information Agency: Mashramani
^ Guyana Carnival
^ Haiti Travels: Carnival Archived 2012-12-27 at the Wayback Machine
^ Bacchanal Jamaica
^ "Carnival in Jamaica - Everything to know as a visitor". 2023-05-16. Retrieved 2023-07-16.
^ "Events – Gen XS Jamaica". genxsjamaica.com. Retrieved 2023-07-16.
^ Martinique Carnival Archived 2013-04-24 at the Wayback Machine
^ Montserrat Tourist Board: Our Carnival Archived 2013-05-26 at the Wayback Machine
^ Smithsonian: A Puerto Rican Carnival
^ Saba Carnival Facebook page
^ Hello St-Barts Carnival
^ "Lucian Carnival Events". Archived from the original on 2013-05-17. Retrieved 2013-05-26.
^ St. Kitts Nevis National Carnival
^ "Nevis Culturama". Archived from the original on 2010-01-08. Retrieved 2013-05-26.
^ Saint-Martin Carnival Committee
^ St Vincent and the Grenadines Carnival
^ St Eustatius Tourism Development Foundation: Carnival Archived 2013-05-09 at the Wayback Machine
^ St. Maarten Carnival Facebook page
^ National Carnival Commission of Trinidad and Tobago Carnival Dates Archived 2013-04-21 at the Wayback Machine
^ Go Trinidad and Tobago: Tobago Carnival Archived 2013-05-18 at the Wayback Machine
^ St Croix Festival
^ VInow: Virgin Islands Carnival Celebrations
^ VI Carnival Facebook page
^ Welcome to the Barrie Caribbean Festival
^ Guadeloupe-guide: Events in Guadeloupe
^ Karneval der Kulturen
^ Summer Carnival,
^ Atlanta Carnival
^ "BCA Carnival". Archived from the original on 2018-04-21. Retrieved 2020-03-01.
^ MIAMI BROWARD ONE CARNIVAL 2012
^ Madison Carnival
^ Bayou Bacchanal
^ NOLA CaribbeanFestival
^ New Orleans Caribbean Carnival
^ "HOME | caribmask".
^ Carnaval San Francisco Parade
^ Virginia Caribfest
^ "DC Caribbean Festival". Archived from the original on 2018-03-24. Retrieved 2010-02-18.
^ Worcester Caribbean American Carnival Archived 2015-02-04 at the Wayback Machine

External links

[CCV1-1] "WIADRA westindian carnival organisation". Retrieved 17 June 2016.

[2] "List of Carnival and the world". Retrieved 17 June 2016.

[3] "A brief History of Carnival". Retrieved 17 June 2016.

[4] "Meaning of "carnival" in the English Dictionary". Retrieved 17 June 2016.

[5] Anguilla Summer Festival

[6] Antigua Carnival Facebook page

[7] Barbuda Caribana Facebook page

[8] Visit Aruba: Aruba Carnival

[9] Barbados Crop Over Calendar

[10] "Bahamas Events - Fishing Tournaments and Annual Festivals".

[11] Belize Carnival

[12] Tourism Bonaire: Carnival on Bonaire

[13] "BVI August Festival". Bareboats BVI. Archived from the original on 2015-12-28.

[14] BVI Tourism: Virgin Gorda Easter Festival Celebrations

[15] Cayman Carnival Batabano

[16] Cuban Adventures: Carnival in Santiago de Cuba

[17] Cuba Absolutely: The Havana Carnival

[18] Curaçao Carnival Info: Schedule

[19] Dominica Carnival

[20] Dominican Republic Carnival / Carnaval

[21] Party Grenada: Carriacou Carnival Archived 2013-06-30 at archive.today

[22] Spicemas

[23] Guadeloupe Islands Tourist Board: Carnaval Archived 2013-05-30 at the Wayback Machine

[24] Guyana Government Information Agency: Mashramani

[25] Guyana Carnival

[26] Haiti Travels: Carnival Archived 2012-12-27 at the Wayback Machine

[27] Bacchanal Jamaica

[28] "Carnival in Jamaica - Everything to know as a visitor". 2023-05-16. Retrieved 2023-07-16.

[29] "Events – Gen XS Jamaica". genxsjamaica.com. Retrieved 2023-07-16.

[30] Martinique Carnival Archived 2013-04-24 at the Wayback Machine

[31] Montserrat Tourist Board: Our Carnival Archived 2013-05-26 at the Wayback Machine

[32] Smithsonian: A Puerto Rican Carnival

[33] Saba Carnival Facebook page

[34] Hello St-Barts Carnival

[35] "Lucian Carnival Events". Archived from the original on 2013-05-17. Retrieved 2013-05-26.

[36] St. Kitts Nevis National Carnival

[37] "Nevis Culturama". Archived from the original on 2010-01-08. Retrieved 2013-05-26.

[38] Saint-Martin Carnival Committee

[39] St Vincent and the Grenadines Carnival

[40] St Eustatius Tourism Development Foundation: Carnival Archived 2013-05-09 at the Wayback Machine

[41] St. Maarten Carnival Facebook page

[42] National Carnival Commission of Trinidad and Tobago Carnival Dates Archived 2013-04-21 at the Wayback Machine

[43] Go Trinidad and Tobago: Tobago Carnival Archived 2013-05-18 at the Wayback Machine

[44] St Croix Festival

[45] VInow: Virgin Islands Carnival Celebrations

[46] VI Carnival Facebook page

[47] Welcome to the Barrie Caribbean Festival

[48] Guadeloupe-guide: Events in Guadeloupe

[49] Karneval der Kulturen

[50] Summer Carnival,

[51] Atlanta Carnival

[52] "BCA Carnival". Archived from the original on 2018-04-21. Retrieved 2020-03-01.

[53] MIAMI BROWARD ONE CARNIVAL 2012

[54] Madison Carnival

[55] Bayou Bacchanal

[56] NOLA CaribbeanFestival

[57] New Orleans Caribbean Carnival

[58] "HOME | caribmask".

[59] Carnaval San Francisco Parade

[60] Virginia Caribfest

[61] "DC Caribbean Festival". Archived from the original on 2018-03-24. Retrieved 2010-02-18.

[62] Worcester Caribbean American Carnival Archived 2015-02-04 at the Wayback Machine

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v t e Carnival around the world
Asia	Indonesia Solo Jember Jakarta Philippines Sinulog Ati-Atihan festival
Europe	Austria Belgium Aalst Binche Denmark England Finland France Nice Paris Germany Cologne Mainz Greece Hungary Italy Venice Viareggio Ivrea Lithuania Malta Netherlands Portugal Madeira Ovar Slavic Belarus, Russia, Ukraine Croatia Slovenia Spain Cádiz Las Palmas Santa Cruz Switzerland Basel Turkey
North America	Canada Ottawa Quebec City Toronto México Vera Cruz Mazatlán United States Mobile New Orleans New York City
Caribbean	Antigua Bahamas Barbados Cayman Islands Cuba Dominica Dominican Republic Haiti Nevis Puerto Rico (Ponce) Trinidad and Tobago
South America	Argentina Buenos Aires Gualeguaychú Murga Bolivia Oruro Brazil Rio São Paulo Bahia Recife Colombia Barranquilla Negros y Blancos French Guiana Cayenne Guyana Panama Las Tablas Peru Cajamarca Uruguay
Oceania	Australia
Related	Mardi Gras
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