My first official Caribbean carnival was in the USA at the West Indian Labor Day Parade in Brooklyn, New York. In fact, my first five carnival experiences were on Eastern Parkway – VIVID memories of when my Trini friends/college mates introduced me to carnival for the very first time. Many Caribbean people migrate to the United States for various reasons (me being one of them) and I wanted to share where in the diaspora, Caribbean culture is being kept alive.
Caribbean Carnivals In The USA
In my opinion, I love US based Caribbean Carnivals. I think it’s a combination of strong spirited Caribbean and non Caribbean people who love their heritage and want everyone from all walks of life to experience it. Caribbean people are warm, welcoming and if you don’t know a lick of soca/calypso, have never had a bite of Caribbean food or never visited the Caribbean – they are the FIRST ones to share it with you. Here’s a few Caribbean Carnivals in The USA if you want a taste of the culture.
Tampa Bay Carnival (Saturday April 3oth, 2022)
- City: Tampa, FL
- airport code TPA
- Tampa Bay Caribbean Carnival website and Instagram Page
I moved to Tampa in April 2013 and literally my first stop was their carnival. At that time, I got a costume for $75 dollars and the route was short but a lot of fun and ended in a concert. Had the opportunity to make a lot of lifetime friends there.
Atlanta Carnival (Saturday May 28th, 2022)
- City: Atlanta, GA
- airport code ATL
- Official Atlanta Carnival website and Instagram page
- Atlanta Carnival Review
Orlando Carnival (Sunday May 29th, 2022)
- City: Orlando, FL
- airport code MCO
- Orlando Carnival Instagram and Event page
Orlando was also a pit stop in 2013. I lucked out and ended up in a t-shirt band for about $50-75 dollars.
South Carolina Carnival (June 10th-12th, 2022)
- City: Columbia, South Carolina
- Parade date: June 11th, 2022
- airport code CAE
- South Carolina Carnival website and Instagram page
Hookie Weekend DC (June 16th- June 19th, 2022)
- City: Washington, DC
- airport code DCA
- Official Hookie website and Instagram page
- Hookie Weekend DC Review
Hookie Weekend is not the original DC carnival but they are “an organization dedicated to the preservation of West Indian culture in the Washington, DC metropolitan area and beyond.” – HookieLife.com
Hollywood Carnival (TBA// usually held in June)
- City: Los Angeles, California
- airport code LAX
- Official Hollywood Carnival website and Instagram Page
- Hollywood Carnival Review
Houston Carnival (June 29th to July 3rd, 2022)
- City: Houston, TX
- Road Parade: July 3rd, 2022
- airport code IAH
- Houston Caribbean Festival website and Instagram page
New York Carnival // West Indian Labor Day Parade (September 1st to September 5th, 2022)
- City: Brooklyn, NY
- Road Parade: Monday, September 5th, 2022
- airport codes JFK, LGA
- WIADCA official website and Instagram page
Virginia CaribFest (September 10th, 2022)
- City: Norfolk, VA
- Road Parade: Sept 10th, 2022
- airport code ORF
- Virginia Carib Fest website and Instagram page
Miami (Sunday October 9th, 2022)
- City: Miami, FL
- Road Parade: Sunday October 9th, 2022
- airport codes (MIA, FLL)
- Miami Carnival website and official Instagram page
- Miami Carnival Guide 2021
NOLA Caribbean Festival (October 12th -23rd, 2022)
- City: New Orleans, LA
- airport code MSY
- Nola Caribbean Festival website and official Instagram page
- NOLA Caribbean Fest Review
Las Vegas Caribbean Festival (October 19th – 24th, 2022)
- City: Las Vegas, Nevada
- airport code LAS
- Las Vegas Caribbean Festival website and official Instagram page
Bayou Bacchanal (projected date November 5th, 2022)
- City: New Orleans, Louisiana
- airport code MSY
- Bayou Bacchanal website and Instagram
Follow me on Tiktok or the gram if you have questions or shoot me an email at [email protected]. Happy Carnival!
