It’s been dubbed “the greatest show in the world” with non-stop street parties and parades, all-inclusive fetes, soca performances and steelpan competitions. It’s the Trinidad & Tobago annual carnival!
Trinidad’s most thrilling celebration takes place every year in February when the streets come alive with masqueraders in beautiful costumes dancing to catchy Caribbean music.
The largest celebration in the Caribbean falls on Monday and Tuesday before Ash Wednesday; cultural shows, competitions and fetes will start taking place at least one week prior to the main event.
So much more than just a two-day parade, the festival has deep cultural and historical roots dating back to the 19th century.
Here are some interesting facts you didn’t know about the Trinidad & Tobago Carnival!
1. The Carnival originated during the period of slavery when the slaves – banned from attending balls and parties – would stage their own costumed event. After emancipation, the former slaves continued to host their own Carnival celebration.
2. Carnival is a huge source of revenue for Trinidad with preparations starting as early as December.
3. Competitions are serious business with millions of Trinidad dollars in prize money up for grabs. Main competitions include Panorama (an international steelpan competition), International Soca Monarch, Chutney Soca Monarch, Calypso Monarch, the King and Queen of Carnival, and Band of the Year.
4. Costumes are prepared months to a year in advance and can be quite expensive to make.
5. A Carnival band could comprise as many as 3,000 masqueraders divided into sections of 200 to 500 masqueraders.
6. Fantastic Friday – the parade of traditional characters – is a definite don’t miss. It takes place right before the Parade of the Bands on Friday before the main event.
7. Another must-do is the festive custom J’Ouvert – hours before sunrise, participants would take to the streets smeared in paint, powder, mud and/or oil. Historically, this was done to celebrate the emancipation of slavery in 1838.
8. Children can participate in a family-friendly version of the Carnival. The ‘Kiddies Carnival’ mirrors the parades for adults, and features children in colourful costumes marching in a parade of their own.
Key Points For Your Customers:
- Direct Flights from the UK are available with British Airways.
- Flights will operate on Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from London Gatwick (LGW) to Port of Spain (POS) effective 26 March 2023.
- Currently, flights are via St Lucia.
- Customers should start planning their travels at least 2 months in advance as accommodations, flights and tickets to fetes will sell out quickly.
- Carnival dates are:
- 2023: February 20th and February 21st
- 2024: February 12th and February 13th
For more information, go to visittrinidad.tt
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