Trinidad and Tobago Carnival

...the ultimate celebration of life

Trinidad and Tobago Carnival is the greatest street festival in the world, an unforgettable party that should be experienced at least once in a lifetime. It's a fancy dress ball that has taken to the streets, a sensual extravaganza, and THE Caribbean Festival.

Mamma, dis is mas!

 Cultural Climax 

Trinidad and Tobago Carnival is the climax of a yearlong build up of creative energy and excitement, a cultural phenomenon that's big business Trini style...

Whether it's the design and production of Trinidad Carnival costumes, Carnival-band launchings or building Carnival King and Queen costumes at mas camps. Whether you're visiting calypso tents, listening to the latest soca release or attending one of the many pre-Carnival fetes.

From the sweet vibrations of pan (steelband) dancing in the air at pan yards, to the thundering cacophony of sound at Panorama semi-finals, the build up to Trinidad Carnival is almost orgasmic in proportion.

 Carnival Fever 

By the time most visitors arrive on the island, preparations have reached a feverish pace; you can almost feel the spirit of Carnival in the air. Finally, that highly anticipated 2-day event, the Monday and Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, has arrived...

 Jouvert Morning 

Carnival in Trinidad and Tobago begins with Jouvert, when before dawn on Carnival Monday, revelers flood the streets of Port-of-Spain, bodies coated with mud, oil, cocoa or any number of brightly colored body paints. Soca is the force that drives them, the rhythm of a people and the sound of the new Caribbean. Jouvert may appear menacing but do not be alarmed, it's great fun. Go native, join a Trinidad Carnival Jouvert band.

By 9 o'clock, most revelers are working their way home. The paint splashed streets transformed, from a dull gray canvas of asphalt to the bright random hues of a Jackson Pollock painting.

 Monday Mas 

By noon on Carnival Monday, streets are once again flooded by a returning tide of humanity. What follows are 8 hours of the most organized chaos in the world.

Imagine if you will, many simultaneous parties roaming freely around the city, each with its own music, costumes, bars and security. While not yet at full force, this tide of humanity floats along the asphalt rivers of Port-of-Spain's streets, like colonies of ants protecting their queens, seemingly magnetized to flatbed trucks crammed with gigantic speaker systems.

This is a traveling street party like nothing you have experienced before. A fete that's both symbolically and literally hot, a heat that is only partially quenched by the setting sun and the growing need to rest.

 Parade of Bands 

At dawn on the second day, revelers are back on the streets again, anticipating another 10 hours of organized madness.

Masqueraders are now transformed. Dressed with the flamboyance of a Las Vegas production gone mad, this school of humanity moves through a sea of sound. On this day, the sun is free to set fire to sequins, beads and brightly colored feathers, as beautiful bodies parade in themed bands. This is Carnival in Trinidad and Tobago.

 Pretty Mas 

Carnival Tuesday is the pinnacle of pretty mas. The day when Trinidad Carnival costumes are worn in full, when words like gorgeous, striking, exquisite and magnificent attempt to describe the spectacle of Trinidad and Tobago Carnival. A day when national pride and the Trinidad flag are on display. A day when pictures are taken and memories recorded, when Carnival costumes are judged and the streets are packed to overflowing with masqueraders and spectators alike.

 Come, Join a Trinidad and Tobago Carnival Band 

Why not individualize your Carnival experience? Join the party. Join the fete. Join a Trinidad Carnival band, and experience first hand this sensual extravaganza. Or, check out the food and drink options available when you join a Trinidad Carnival band.

There is no celebration quite like Trinidad and Tobago Carnival, anywhere else in the world. No other carnival quite compares. We even question if it's the world's greatest show. It's an extraordinary party we hate to miss... the ultimate celebration of life.