Caribbean Festivals

The many Caribbean Festivals in the different islands represent the real nature of Caribbean Culture diversity.

The people express themselves in many different ways due to the different origin of its inhabitants.

In my opinion the number one of all of them is the Carnival in Trinidad. It resembles although in a lower scale the famous Rio Carnival.

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The Barbados Jazz Festival

There are music Caribbean Festivals, Religious celebrations and sport competitions of all kinds.

They are all a rich example of culture and customs from the different origins of their people showing the real soul of the islands besides the common exotic beaches, crystal blue waters and warm climate.

Since the type of festivals and the dates change so often, it is recommended to go to each island Tourist Board to update you before traveling.

In this page I am giving you a brief description of some of the Caribbean Festivals and where they are celebrated.

On your next Jamaica vacations enjoy the Reggae Sumfest festival

Carnival

There are Carnival celebrations in most of the islands.

In the Spanish speaking ones it is called Carnaval. I remember my childhood years when in Havana, Cuba the “carnavales” were so important that all activities stopped during its few days of celebrations.

Celebrated in different dates you may find Carnival in Antigua, Aruba, Curacao, Cayman Islands, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica, St Kitts Nevis, St Lucia, St Maarten and as mentioned above in Port of Spain the busy capital of Trinidad Tobago.

The origins are from Europe where they were called Carnestolendas, celebrated usually before Lent.

Today you don’t have to celebrate Lent or even Easter to be an integral part of those popular celebrations.

In many cases a King or “Rey Momo” and a Queen are elected to lead the carnival festivities.

Junkanoo

Also spelled Jonkonnu is celebrated mainly on the islands of British origin.

Legend says that in the 17th Century, a man called John Canoe or John Konny fought his own war against the British and Dutch slave traders, so he became a hero among the slaves.

These Caribbean Festivals are very famous in Bahamas and Jamaica. They celebrate this historical personality with festivals and colorful costumes with very Caribbean character. They differ from island to island.

In the Bahamas and Jamaica they celebrate the famous Junkanoo

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Summary of other Caribbean Festivals

• Crop Over Celebrated in Barbados commemorating the end of the sugar producing process.

For some years since sugar was not so important for the island it was eliminated and then in the 1970’s reinstated as an important festival of their own heritage.

• Patron Saints In Puerto Rico it is celebrated town by town as per the different patron saints of the towns and cities.

Since they are celebrated in different dates people from one town go the others and so on, making the “Fiestas Patronales” as they are called in Spanish one of the most important activities in Puerto Rico, year round.

The streets of the towns are filled with vendors selling their “Cuchifritos” or fried delights. Musicians come from all over play and the people dance, drink and go crazy with happiness. I would love to eat a “Bacalaito”, a fried mix of cod fish.

• Jump-Up This is a local weekly celebration in St Lucia. The people take to the streets in Gros Islet dancing and tasting the St Lucian BBQ with tropical fruit drinks.

Musical Activities

Nowhere else in the world you’ll find such an array of musical instruments and so many different tones. There are so many that the problem is deciding where to go.

There are Jazz events in Puerto Rico called the Heineken Jazz Fest in May, the St Lucia jazz also called “The Best Party in the Caribbean” and Barbados Jazz Festival also known as Paint it Jazz.

Jamaica has its own Bob Marley and own reggae. In Jamaica you’ll find all kind of reggae festivals being the most famous and largest the Reggae Sum fest.

Who doesn’t like Latin Music? In the Spanish speaking islands Puerto Rico and Republica Dominicana, it is found in every corner.

Especially in the Dominican Republic the annual “Festival del Merengue” attracts visitors from all over. Living in Puerto Rico we flew several times the one hour flight to Santo Domingo to enjoy the festival.

Sailing Festivals and Tournaments

Many of the islands like the Bahamas, the Virgin Islands, Antigua and others offer the most popular fishing and sailing tournaments.

In the Bahamas the most famous is the Native fishing Tournament held in August; The British Virgin islands host the Spring Regatta. No matter where you go in the Caribbean, there is always some kind of fishing and sailing event.

No matter where you want to go, a sailing, fishing, or musical event can almost always be part of your vacation. But you won't need an elaborate festival or tournament to have a great time in the Caribbean.

There are Caribbean Festivals for all tastes. Depending when you want to go you may contact us for more information.

Carnival in Trinidad in the Capital of Port of Spain is the King of Caribbean Festivals

What's your Favorite Festival in the Caribbean?

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