Caribbean Carnival Schedules
Caribbean Carnival, like those in Rio and New Orleans (Mardi Gras), is traditionally a big blowout party leading up to the solemn season of Lent in the Christian calendar. However, while many Caribbean islands do celebrate Carnival in the days leading up to Ash Wednesday -- including Trinidad & Tobago, whose Carnival is world-famous -- others hold their Carnival celebrations at other times of the year.
Barbados, for example, calls its Carnival "Crop Over," a traditional harvest festival that takes place in August. St. Vincent's "Vincy Mas" is one of a number of Carnival celebrations held in the summer, bringing some excitement to what is otherwise a slow time of year in the Caribbean.
The good news for visitors is that if your in the mood for a unique island experience, you can find a Carnival celebration almost any time of the year. In fact, some islands have Carnival events stretching over months, from the Feast of the Epiphany in January to Ash Wednesday, for example.
Here are all of the Caribbean islands that celebrate Carnival and the months in which they do so (exact days can vary from year to year). Those listed as "Lent" celebrate Carnival in the traditional season, which can fall in February or March depending on the date of Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday:
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Caribbean Carnival: it's origin, history and present
In the calendar of all peoples certain days have been set aside for special religious or secular observance, or as possessing a special character. Among these days, some have remained primarily religious in character, some of which were once of religious or superstitious significance, are no longer so but remain as special days. In many countries celebrations of Carnival are special days and have become the greatest popular cultural manifestation. It is a mixture of fun, party and theater, which involves art and folklore. It basically comes up as a street party but is also celebrated in closed spaces such as clubs
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