Next Carnival: February 2009
Trinidad and Tobago’s famous Carnival always has tens of thousands of party goers from around the globe, with planned itinerary, paid for costumes and booked flights to make sure they don’t miss out. Carnival fever begins straight after Christmas and remains high until the end of February, the streets of Trinidad are full the sounds of calypso and steel pan music willing everyone jump up and have a great time.
It was first introduced to Trinidad in the late 1700s by the French with their masquerade balls, and evolved into the massive event it is today.
The festival, starting two days before Ash Wednesday is without comparison, the diverse Trini spirit is out in force, expressed in the costumes, and music and highly festive atmosphere.
Trinidad offers revellers a choice of the Savannah parades, and parties in the pan yards. Enjoy
J'ouvert the official start of the street parades, starting at 4 in the morning. The Pan Yards have rehearsals every night, to practice for the Queen’s Park Savannah and Panorama competition. Get involved and take part in a mas band which can have up to 4,000 participants. With so much to see and do, along with the warm evenings mean the party is enjoyed all night long.
For those who can make it there are beach parties on Ash Wednesday, Maracas Beach on the north coast being a popular destination.
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Other Festivals and Events in Trinidad |
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Phagwa A Hindu festival which has been held every March for over 150 years, celebrating good over evil. Participants make an effort to completely soak others with coloured water called abir, with kind of spray cans or pichakarees, in amongst the drumming, singing and revelry.
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Eid-ul-Fitr Muslim New Year, celebrated in June with day of feasting.
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Santa Rosa Festival Celebrating the heritage of the Amerindian culture every August. The festival includes a parade, with a Carib Queen and a dazzaling array of traditional Amerindian food, arts and crafts.
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Divali Commonly known as the festivals of lights, Divali is a national Hindu holiday. Celebrating the triumph of Light over dark, in honor of Lakshmi, goddess of light, beauty, riches and love.
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