CaribiaLinx: Carnival Watch

Enjoy the splendor of hot music and sultry nights with a generous splash of culture! The resilience of people of AfroCaribbean descent rings true in a kaleidoscope of celebrations! The following list may contain references to Carnivals whose organizational committees did not have official websites at press time. The links provided offer general contact and/or historical information.

December - January (Three Kings' Day): Bahamas For some, 'Junkanoo' is for the French 'L'inconnu'(unknown) masquerader; for others, it's 'John Canoe', steadfastly clinging to his roots. But all are invited to jam in the Bahamas. Info hosted at www.bahamas.com

December - January (Three Kings' Day): St. Kitts "Sugar City" comes alive for the holidays, with sport, splendor and mas. Be on the lookout for fabulous music for liming and the startling scorch of a well-placed lyric in Calypso. Info hosted at www.stkittscarnival.com

December - January (Three Kings' Day): St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands Called "Twin City St. Croix" because of its two capitals, Christiansted and Frederiksted, the island revels in the unity of its annual Crucian Christmas Fiesta. Info hosted at www.homelandcollections.com.
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January - February (Ash Wednesday): Trinidad and Tobago The birthplace of Kaiso, pan and mas begins to simmer in December with costuming, promotions and composing of music. From the full-body fulfillment of a ripe Soca to the gentle tug of dulcet pan, the community joins in this cultural kalaloo. Info hosted at VisitTnT.com

January: Curacao Events begin in January and lively up the month of February. Youth participation in the cultural events is as important as that of adults. Royalty is selected, music competitions and fetes a-plenty! Info hosted at www.curacao-tourism.com - navigate to "Things to Do" and "Calendar of Events" by the month.

January - March: Aruba Beginning in January, the cultural vibes begin, and rhythms to fit the tapestry of the peoples of Aruba take a bow. Calypso, Tumba, Dutch, Steel Pan, Latin... interwoven with torchlight parades, pageants and balloon and horse processions, all leading up to the the Burning of King Momo on the eve of Ash Wednesday. Info hosted at VisitAruba.com

January - March: Guadaloupe The celebration begins with scattered 'mas' episodes in January, building to clusters by the days preceding Lent. By Shrove Sunday and into Ash Wednesday, the fete is at full throb! Info hosted at Antilles Info Tourisme page - enter in your language and click on "Carnival"
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February - March: Haiti From the Haiti Tourism Department Page, the official site of the Secretary of State for Tourism, Republic of Haiti. While the page is in French, we are sure that the word 'Carnaval' loses very little in the translation! You may need to make contact, so scroll down to find the words (they're tiny!) "Contactez-Nous" to get more details. Official Website

February: Brazil The 4-day fete occurs in the midst of the Brazilian summer, beginning on a Saturday and ending with Fat Tuesday (Mardi Gras). Its actual dates vary from year to year. Official Website

February: Santo Domingo A combination of cultural immersion and tribute to Dominican Republic independence. This Carnival celebration features an amazing cast of characters, from diablos ('devils') to Papeluses who sport clothing of paper. While activities take place in villages and towns throughout the month, Independence Day - an end to occupied status(February 27) is the main Mas day for all; Restoration Day (ending annexation by Spain and lack of unity among the peoples of the Republic) is also celebrated on August 16.
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March: Carriacou Carriacou Carnival information is listed on the Grenada pages; the pre-Lenten festivities contain all major elements of Carnival: mas, splendor and music! Info hosted at the Official Site of the Grenada Board of Tourism
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April: St. Maarten/Sint Martin From the French side of the island, where the Carnival settles in around the Lenten season, to the Dutch side of the island for the major festivities, every penchant is rewarded. Calypsos begin to jump out da box in January. The entire Carnival celebration surrounds a sense of renewal, with the burning of 'King Momo'. Info hosted at www.sxmcarnival.com

April: Cayman Islands Batabano Festival Ushering in the springtime and all of its flavors, the Batabano Festival is powered by the local Rotarians. This site employs frames. In order to get to the Batabano information, click on the 'Contents of Site' link on the left margin, and select 'Carnival' from the list that appears to the immediate right. Official Website

April - May: St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands The centerpiece of all three V.I. Carnival celebrations, features international stars and world-class local talent. The Virgin Islands Carnival Committee works throughout the year, maintaining offices in historic downtown Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas. Telephone: (340) 776-3112 Fax: (340) 777-9199 Official Website

April-May: Jamaica Musical events and showcases actually begin in January, but there is a distinct concentration of activity in late April. The fete then goes into cooldown mode for the next several days. Impresario, producer and bandmeister Byron Lee spearheads the effort. Official Website
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May - August: Grenada This Carnival celebration is actually divided into three parts: the Carriacou Regatta, The Rainbow Festival at Grenville, and the grand culmination of Kaiso and Mas in August. Info hosted at the Official Site of the Grenada Board of Tourism
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June - July: St. Vincent/Grenadines The Carnival Development Committee presents photos, the history of 'Vincy Mas', and more, including a guestbook. With a rich history dating back to the 1900's, St. Vincent Carnival remains a means of cultural expression and social commentary. Official Website
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July - August: Antigua Major Kaiso hits come out of Antigua's yearly celebrations. The splendor of mas at the pageants and parades ensures an incomparable experience. Antigua's Carnival Development Committee keeps offices in Cassada Gardens. Official Website

June - July: St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands While the culmination of this celebration falls right before the United States' Independence Day (July 4th), the Emancipation Day celebrations are centered around the liberation of the slave state that existed in the then Danish possession (1848). The talents, culinary mastery and pageantry of the St. John Celebration begin in mid June and work their way up to Emancipation Day ceremonies and a grand parade.Info hosted at www.usvitourism.vi - navigate by the months.

July: Toronto International Carnival: Formerly known as Caribana, this International celebration is held annually in Canada. Since 1967, it has grown to include Latin American vibes and all things are Mas-inspired. The concentration is on the pageantry and artistry of the traditional Carnival. Hosted at FeteNet.com

July - August: Anguilla Everything you'd want in a Carnival celebration can be found at the annual summertime splash. Water sports, pageantry, jump-ups and kiddie events pepper the long days of summer. Info hosted at www.anguillaguide.com - navigate to Events Calendar
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July - August: British Virgin Islands This commemoration of the emancipation declaration at the "Sunday Morning Well" in Road Town has come to encompass a variety of cultural events, from concerts to competitions to horse racing. The most prominent events are held in and around Road Town, with satellite activities hosted independently throughout the island of Tortola, and horse racing settled in on "August Tuesday" at the Little Albion track at SeaCows Bay. Info hosted at www.bviwelcome.com - navigate to "Events" by the year

August: Notting Hill Carnival The Notting Hill Carnival in London, England cannot be more far removed geographically from the Caribbean, but it has grown to the extent that it is and shall remain a bona fide celebration of the mastery and pageantry that is Carnival. Info hosted at www.bbc.co.uk
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September: Labor Day Carnival, Brooklyn New York The West Indian-American Day Carnival Association hosts this celebration that began in Harlem in the 1930's. It moved to Brooklyn, New York in the 60's and is hosted by the oldest Carnival Association in the U.S. Millions converge on Brooklyn for this annual captivator
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October: Cayman Islands Pirates Week Festival This collection of activities revisits the days when pirates plied the world's oceans in search of conquests and treasures. Official Website

October: Miami Carnival Miami, Florida's premiere Caribbean Cultural event takes place during the first 2 weeks of October Official Website
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