Trinidad and Tobago Carnival is a huge celebration that includes numerous parties and events that culminates with a 2 day street party. It takes around 8 months to prepare for the Carnival season with the celebrations lasting approximately 2 months, after which people begin to prepare for the next Carnival season.
Carnival is celebrated in many Caribbean islands, including: Aruba, Jamaica, Barbados, St. Lucia, Grenada, St. Vincent, and of course, Trinidad & Tobago.
But why you should go specifically to Trinidad & Tobago? MASX would like to present you with reasons why this beautiful country should become your number one Carnival destination:
1. It is the Home of Carnival!
Trinidad & Tobago is known as Home of Carnival, since Carnival here is one of the oldest in the world. The population of the islands is distinguished by a variety of races and cultures, each of which has contributed to their Carnival. Therefore, Carnival in this country symbolizes the unity of various cultural traditions.
2. Calypso, Soca, Steelpan, and the Limbo dance were invented here.
Did you know that the main features of Carnival, which includes Soca and Calypso music, as well as steelpan, were invented in Trinidad?
Calypso is a style of Afro-Caribbean music that originated in Trinidad & Tobago in 19th century.
Soca music originated in the early 1970s and was initially developed by Lord Shorty.
Steelpan is the most famous Caribbean musical instrument which was also invented in Trinidad in the 1930s and is known as the only non-electronic musical instrument that was invented in the 20th century.
Limbo is a popular dance, based on traditions that originated on the island of Trinidad. The aim is to pass forward under a low bar without falling or dislodging the bar. The dance originated as an event that took place at wakes in Trinidad.
For more information about Soca, Calypso and Steelpan, don’t forget to check out our MASX Carnival Brochure!
3. Some of the best Soca artists and DJs are originally from Trinidad!
Some of the most talented and most popular Soca artists and DJs come from Trinidad & Tobago. This list includes Machel Montano (known as The King of Soca), Kes The Band, Lyrikal, DJ Private Ryan, Patrice Roberts, Nailah Blackman, Nadia Batson, Bunji Garlin and many more!
4. Celebrities also love Carnival in Trinidad and Tobago!
Trinidad & Tobago is definitely generating strong exposure in the American celebrity community! We are talking about big stars such as Nicki Minaj (who was born in Trinidad), Will Smith, Lilly Singh, Winnie Harlow, Eniko Hart, Usain Bolt, Ludacris, Blac Chyna, Amber Rose…these are to name just a few!
If they have enjoyed Carnival in Trinidad, will you enjoy it too? We can guarantee that!
5. Tourists from all over the world come to Trinidad to take part in the celebrations.
Trinidad & Tobago Carnival attracts not only locals and people from the other Caribbean islands, but also tourists from the rest of the world! In 2020, the MASX team alone gathered Soca-lovers from Canada, the USA, the UK, Japan, Russia and India! This is a great example proving that Trinidad Carnival has a special power to cross borders and unite people from all over the world!
6. Trinidad has J’ouvert!
J’ouvert is a big street party that starts at 2am on Carnival Monday and lasts until 10am. J'ouvert allows thousands of people to go out and dance to Soca until morning. On this day, people usually wear old ragged clothes and paint each other with paints, oil, dirt and even chocolate. The participants also get dressed as devils, demons, monsters and vampires. J’ouvert is one of the events that makes Carnival in Trinidad & Tobago even better than in Brazil!
7. There are fetes to please everyone’s taste!
There are hundreds of different events happening during the Carnival season in Trinidad & Tobago. You can find literally anything that your heart desires: pool parties, boat parties, parties at shopping malls, beach festivals, “bring your own booze” type of parties, musical competitions such as Soca Monarch and National Panorama Finals, huge outdoor concerts, small private events, luxury food and drinks inclusive fetes with fireworks…good luck with making your decision, because you have some very hard decisions to make!
8. Trinidad & Tobago is not only about Carnival.
These two incredible islands have so much more to offer! Delicious Caribbean cuisine, rich history and culture, stunning nature, breathtaking views and some of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean. We can assure you will fall in love with this country forever!