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.
Arizona CaribFest (March 17th – 19th, 2023)
- City: Phoenix, AZ
- airport code: PHX
- Road March: Saturday March 18th, 2023
- Official website and Instagram page
Tampa Bay Carnival (Saturday April 21st – 23rd, 2023)
- 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 27th, 2023)
- City: Atlanta, GA
- airport code ATL
- Official Atlanta Carnival website and Instagram page
- Atlanta Carnival Review
There seems to be 3 parades happening for Atlanta Carnival in 2023. For more information, follow creators like The Curve Experience and RebelMas.
Orlando Carnival (Sunday May 28th, 2023)
- 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; things have definitely changed since LOL.
South Carolina Carnival (June 8th-11th, 2023)
- City: Columbia, South Carolina
- Parade date: June 1oth, 2023
- airport code CAE
- South Carolina Carnival website and Instagram page
Hookie Weekend DC (June 15th- June 19th, 2023)
- 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 (June 22-25th, 2023)
- City: Los Angeles, California
- airport code LAX
- Road Parade: June 24th, 2023
- Events/Tickets page and Instagram Page
- Hollywood Carnival Review
New Orleans Caribbean Carnival (June 23rd -25th, 2023
- City: New Orleans, Louisiana
- airport code MSY
- Events/Tickets page and Instagram Page
Houston Carnival (June 28-July 3rd, 2023)
- City: Houston, TX
- Road Parade: July 2nd, 2023
- airport code IAH
- Houston Caribbean Festival website and Instagram page
New York Carnival // West Indian Labor Day Parade
- City: Brooklyn, NY
- Road Parade: Monday, September 4th, 2023
- airport codes JFK, LGA
- WIADCA official website and Instagram page
Virginia CaribFest (September 10th, 2022)
- City: Norfolk, VA
- Road Parade: Sept 9th, 2023
- airport code ORF
- Virginia Carib Fest website and Instagram page
Jacksonville Caribbean Carnival
- City: Jacksonville, FL
- Road Parade: August 12th, 2023
- airport code JAX
- Jacksonville Carnival website and Instagram page
Miami (Sunday October 8th, 2023)
- City: Miami, FL
- Road Parade: Sunday October 8th, 2023
- airport codes (MIA, FLL)
- Miami Carnival website and official Instagram page
- Miami Carnival Review 2022
Las Vegas Caribbean Festival (TBA)
- City: Las Vegas, Nevada
- airport code LAS
- Las Vegas Caribbean Festival website
Bayou Bacchanal (TBA)
- City: New Orleans, Louisiana
- airport code MSY
- Bayou Bacchanal website and Instagram
Follow me on Tiktok or the gram or if you need help planning a Caribbean Carnival in the USA, fill out this carnival itinerary request form.
