TOP 14 CARIBBEAN EVENTS YOU CAN’T AFFORD TO MISS

24 Sep TOP 14 CARIBBEAN EVENTS YOU CAN’T AFFORD TO MISS

After a tumultuous 2021, the Caribbean is almost fully open for business. The islands are expected to rebound from a disastrous Covid 19 affected 2021, with a 48.3% increase in tourist arrivals in 2022. This means that some of the most exciting upcoming Caribbean events have been returning with a bang, with even more planned for your enjoyment in 2022.

The finest and biggest Caribbean events and festivals stand shoulder to should with global heavy hitters. When you think of the likes of the most popular Carnival street party in Trinidad in the south, to the rambunctious Bahamian Junkanoo in the north, it’s easy to realize how spoilt we are in these Caribbean islands.

Here’s our bucket list run-down of 14 Caribbean events and festivals expected in the coming 18 months, in no particular order and covering all kinds of genres. I have also included a number of videos (as up-to-date as possible) in many instances to try to give you the best eyeball look on what to expect.

Jamaica’s Rebel Salute

.

Tony Rebel has been creating conscious reggae music since 1990 and has been a positive force in encouraging his followers to reorient their minds for social change. This Rastafarian started the Rebel Salute, one of the long-standing Caribbean events. Rebel Salute is held on the 15th of January every year since 1994. Over 2 days the festival now in Grizzly Plantation Cove sees partygoers being treated to musical vibes without the influence of meat and alcohol. One would think that the lack of spirits might down the appeal of the event but you be the judge when you check out the virtual tour above.

Cayman’s Pirate Week

.

Are you ready kids? The Cayman Islands celebrates its plundering past with a festival of spectacle and pageantry in its annual Pirates Week. Pirate Week kicks off with 32 activities including parties and festivals with many fireworks and much fanfare over Harbour Drive, Grand Cayman.

This week-long Caribbean event is usually held around 11 15 November. It is jam-packed with family-friendly activities including a harbour pirate raid, cardboard regattas, flotilla competitions, and an illumination night parade

Cayman’s Caribbean events are family-friendly and also feature street dances, band competitions and costume contests on at least one of the three islands. This must-see, must-experience festival in the Caribbean is a must-attend!

Antigua Sailing Week

.

.

Over the last 54 years, Antigua and Barbuda have been hosting Sailing Week. This is now positioned as one of the three most prestigious regattas and Caribbean events on the planet. Mariners from as far as Russia and Australia cast their sail to come to this Caribbean beautiful yachting destination.

The natural lush topography sheltered bays, world-class accommodation and quintessential Caribbean culture all combine to provide a Caribbean event like few others. So if you are a yachtsman, party-goer, thrill-seeker, or sea lover looking to sail in the day and enjoy some partying and a cocktail or two in the night, Antigua sailing Week is the place for you.

Caribana

.

If you cannot fly down to the Caribbean but want to enjoy Carnival in Canada check out Caribana. This festival is held on a weekend at the end of July and offers the Caribbean diaspora and other communities a chance to experience home.

Caribana is the biggest Carnival in North America and is attended by over 1 million people in Toronto. Revellers are feted with Caribbean cuisine, dance, costumes, along with various kinds of music styles including Reggae, Calypso, Soca, and Hip-Hop. Unquestionably, as far as authentic Caribbean events outside the islands, Caribana is certainly worth the stop.

Dominica World Creole Music Festival

.

Starting on the last Friday in October Dominica hosts the 3-day World Creole Music Festival (WCMF). Unfortunately, due to Tropical Storm Ericka (2015), Hurricane Maria (2017) and Covid19 (2020) WCMF was cancelled from the Caribbean events schedule.  

But “The Festival That Never Sleeps” wants to roar back. WCMF is scheduled to start on October 29th this year. This truly indigenous festival desires the chance to continue to enthrall visitors with gala performances from some of the best entertainers in the Caribbean, Africa, the French Antilles and North America.  WCMF celebrates a fusion of Caribbean music including Cadence, Calypso,  Kompa, Zouk, Soukous, Bouyon and Zydeco.   

Bahamas’ Junkanoo

.

If you want to immerse yourself in the soul of the Bahamian culture then get your costume because the Junkanoo Festival is the place to go. The national festival becomes awash with a rainbow of colours and pulsating beats created by whistles, drums and cowbells, that you will find difficult to resist.

In the months prior to the Yuletide period, elaborate floats and costumes are made. It all culminates at 1 am 9 am on Boxing Day (the day after Christmas) and New Years Day morning when the celebrations get into full swing. Revellers take to the main Bay Street in Nassau, the capital, to compete for the title of Best Junkanoo Group. So don’t be a bystander jump right in and enjoy yourself.

St Lucia’s Soleil

.

Started in 2017 St. Lucia Soleil is not one festival but a series of marquis festivals held on the island. This leader in Caribbean events kicks off with Saint Lucia Jazz which usually headlines a number of international acts in the city and the picturesque Pigeon Island.

Soleil also includes in June the Roots and Soul which are for the reggae, conscious hip-hop, R&B and Afropunk aficionados. They then move on to the Saint Lucia Carnival from mid-June ending with the Parade of Bands in mid-July. Things heat up even further with the St. Lucia Food and Rum Festival (August 24-27). Foodie fanatics from around the world descend on the island to enjoy an array of gastronomic delights.

Staying true to the local culture the event schedule heralds the Country and Blues Festival (September 15-17). This festival pays tribute to the indigenous storytelling and folklore that one can only get in the Caribbean. Lastly but by no means least is the Arts and Heritage Festival in October. This month-long festival celebrates St. Lucia’s culture, heritage and legacy.

Barbados Crop Over

.

Rooted in a colonial past of resistance and revelry people used to celebrate with chants of ‘Crop Over’ when the cane harvesting period came to an end. Crop Over pays homage to this time with a 3-month long festival that had its beginnings in craft, folk concerts, calypso and Foreday Morning. Foreday Morning is a huge early morning street party of paint and mud much akin to Trinidad’s J’ouvert.

Crop Over, a ‘must do’ on the annual Caribbean events calendar, features delicious Barbadian food, soca music, as well as a wide array of night parties. It culminates on Kadooment Day, the first Monday in August with a Carnival band parade of dancing costumed masqueraders along Spring Garden Highway leading to the national stadium. But the partying continues and goes well into the night with more music, food, drink and fireworks at Brighton beach.

Jamaica’s Reggae Sumfest

.

For 30 years Sumfest stands uncontested at the top as Jamaica’s, and arguably the Caribbean’s pre-eminent music festival. The Montego Bay celebrations occur over 6 nights in mid-July. The musical spectacle starts with the Sumfest Beach Party on Sunday followed by a Street Dance which is open to all on Monday. Tuesday showcases the AWP (All White Party) which sets the stage for the Blitz Party and Global Sound Clash on Wednesday and Thursday respectively. Then if you still got gas in your tank buckle up for the ultimate two nights of the Main Festival.

As far as Caribbean events go the talent that dons the stage has been of top-flight calibre and has included the likes of Beenie Man, Buju Banton, Rhianna, Usher, 50 Cent, Spice, Vybz Cartel and Nicki Minaj. With 2021 being cancelled due to Covid19 the anticipation for 2022 is palpitating. Don’t you dare miss it!

Trinidad and Tobago Carnival.

.

Trinidad Carnival is life and life is Carnival. Well, that is how many of the people in the twin-island republic of its birthplace Trinidad and Tobago feel. The annual monster of Caribbean events crescendos on Carnival Monday and Tuesday before Ash Wednesday in February or March (depending on the Christian calendar). But this Caribbean festival starts long before As early as August the prior year Carnival bands launch to showcase their costume presentations.

With its roots in the emancipation of slaves in 1838 Carnival is undeniably the Mother of all Carnivals. with offspring including Miami, LA, Caribana, Jamaica, St. Kitts and Notting Hill

The months of Carnival include all manner of parties wet fetes, all-inclusive events where you get to eat and drink all you want, steelpan, Calypso shows, stickfighting and much much more.

Without a doubt, the Carnival tempo and pace gets very hot in the month before the all-day street parade of bands on Carnival Monday and Tuesday through the capital and other major cities on the island. While you can be a bystander choose not to be. You will enjoy yourself the most if you jump in, get a costume and play Mas. Check out the video and you will see. Mark my words you will enjoy it like no other Caribbean event you have been to before.

DR’s Barcelo Desalia

.

Get your sleep because you are going to need if you decide to go to the 7 day Barcelo Desalia Fesitval in the Domnican Republic. Held in Febriaru in Playa Cabeza de Toro in Punta Cana. it’s a full celebration of living life in the moment. The high energy events combine water activities, light shows and balls to the walls all-night parties

Jamaica Jazz & Blues Festival

.

This festival is the godfather of old school. You can enjoy soothing jazz music by some of the best jazz musicians and legendary artists (Diana Ross, Celine Dion, etc.). It’s all live! This is the best place to begin a decade of marriage with your partner.

St. Kitts and Nevis Mango Festival

.

Imagine having to cook every course of every meal with any of Nevis’s 44 varieties of mangoes? This is exactly the challenge put to Chefts in early July when the Nevis Mango and Food Festival is held. The festival is enjoyed over four days during which time you are exposed to a dizzying mix of delights. There is the Nevis Villae Food Tour along with a combination of several cook-along and dining experiences. These are led by celebrity, international and local master chefs.

Grenada Chocolate Festival

.

Do you have a sweet tooth? Why not indulge in the best chocolate this planet has to offer? Since the 17th century, Grenada has been home to lush cocoa estates which have been a primary source of the world’s finest chocolates.

In 2014, the Chocolate Festival was started. and is typically held in late July. During the week-long celebration, visitors have the chance to understand the tree-to-bar organic process, be shown how to dance the cocoa, have fun mixing chocolate with rum, being tantalized by cocoa-infused cuisine and be mesmerized by drums at the must-see beach bonfire. This is the ultimate chocolate adventure that you just won’t want to miss.

Conclusion

The Caribbean is a treasure trove of events and festivals. I could have easily included many more but I wanted to keep it down to a manageable number. I would love it if you could share your own experiences with me. Let me know in the comment section below whether you have attended any of these or others. So go get packed. We are looking out for you.