Best known for its vibrant costumes, exuberant celebration, pulsating music, and a whole lot of enthusiasm, the Trinidad and Tobago Carnival is one of the most popular street parades in the world. The pomp and gaiety of this carnival are so grand that it attracts not only Caribbean people but also worldwide tourists. This is the reason that it is one of the biggest Caribbean carnivals and festivals.

Trinidad and Tobago Carnival is an annual event that takes place for multiple days. Ideally, it is a street parade but there you will get to enjoy much more than that. If you are already amazed by the vivacity of this festival and want to attend Trinidad and Tobago Carnival this year, let us tell you all about it.

Origin of the Trinidad and Tobago Carnival:

Owing to the grandness of this carnival and its importance in Trinidad, you can be sure of one thing that it has something to do with its history. Today, let us tell you that. The French brought this carnival to Trinidad during the 18th century when Trinidad was colonized. During the 18th century, the French used to have such colorful private parties, where African slaves were not allowed. So, the slaves started imitating their masters and having celebrations like them. This is how Trinidad and Tobago Carnival got its roots.

When Trinidad and Tobago Carnival is celebrated:

There are fixed days for the celebration of the grand Trinidad and Tobago Carnival. It takes place every year on the Monday and Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, which is known to be the beginning of Lent. The dates may vary every year but the days will remain the same. The festival kicks off Monday early morning even before sunrise and continues till late Tuesday night.

How long does the Trinidad and Tobago Carnival last:

Actually, the Trinidad and Tobago Carnival is a two-day festival and we have already talked about those days. Nevertheless, the fetes and pre-event activities start taking place one week before the carnival. This week is tagged as carnival week and it is full of a number of activities and, of course, a lot of fun.

How the Trinidad and Tobago Carnival is celebrated:

The Trinidad and Tobago Carnival is all about joy, enjoyment, and entertainment. The local people have a kind of dress code of colorful costumes. They wear it and participate in the street parade while dancing on the roads and having fun. This mega event is a perfect showcase of not just Caribbean tradition, but also music and culture. It won’t be wrong to say that the whole of Trinidad and Tobago dives into the ecstatic festivity of this carnival and gets hued completely in the vibrant color of its celebration. There are different mas bands in the carnival and each mas band has its own dress code.

Can everyone participate in the Trinidad and Tobago Carnival:

Yes, unlike many other carnivals in the world, Trinidad and Tobago Carnival allows its visitors to participate in the event freely. If you choose to be a part of the street parade of the carnival, you would be called ‘Playing Mas’. As a playing mas, you would need to join a mas band, which is a kind of parade group and then coordinate with their costumes and dance. You simply can’t participate in the carnival in your normal clothes and do any type of dance. If you think you can’t do that, then you can simply become a spectator and enjoy the festival.

Trinidad and Tobago Carnival 2023

Trinidad and Tobago is all geared to host the Trinidad and Tobago Carnival of 2023 which is going to take place just after a few days. The preparation for this one of the biggest Caribbean carnivals is almost done. Like every year, this year too, it will take place on Monday and Tuesday prior to Ash Wednesday. Those days, the dates are 20 and 21st of February. So, the date for the Trinidad and Tobago Carnival 2023 are:

  • Monday, February 20, 2023
  • Tuesday, February 21, 2023

These are the main dates for the carnival. However, the free activities and events actually begin at the beginning of February itself. You can expect to experience mind-blowing pre-activities and events of the Trinidad and Tobago Carnival from 10th February.

Schedule for Trinidad and Tobago Carnival 2023

The fetes and festivity of the Trinidad and Tobago Carnival start one week before the main days. Here, have a look at a complete schedule of pre-activities as well as main events.

  • Pre-activities and fetes 

Monday, February 13

Soca Baby Boat Cruise, 12pm – 3pm

Rum Punch After Lunch, 2pm – 8pm

Tuesday, February 14

Pree Dawn – Love Boat, 4am – 8am

Pon de Grass TBC, 3pm – 10pm

Kes in Concert: Iz We – The Village, 7- 1am

Wednesday, February 15

Hi-Seas DDI Breakfast Cooler Cruise, 11am – 3pm

Scorch DDI, 1pm – 7pm

Punchy Wednesday 2023 – FLVR, 10pm – 4am

Thursday, February 16

Soca Starter, 7am – 1pm

Tropical LUAU Carnival, 4pm – 11pm

Boycott Cooler Fete, 4pm – 11pm

Pure White, 5pm – 8pm

Friday, February 17

Sunrise Breakfast, 4am – 11am

Silent Morning, 9am – 2pm

Scorch Duck Work, 2pm – 9pm

Saturday, February 18

STRUT Carnival Cooler Cruise, 7am – 11am

Soca Brainwash, 11am – 6pm

A.M.Bush TBC, 3am – 7am

Pandemonium TBC, 3am – 7am

Panorama TBC, 6pm

Sunday, February 19

Sunny Side Up, 4am – 11am

Brunch And Soca, 2pm – 9pm

HAVOC – Welcome event at Atlantis, 2pm – 10pm

IMAGINE ( ALL ELEMENTS) – The J’ouvert Experience, 4pm – 10pm

  • Main events

Monday, February 20

Street Parade starting from 8:00 a.m.

Tuesday, February 21

Street Parade starting from 8:00 a.m.

Wednesday, February 22

Sunscape from 12:00 p.m.

Thursday, February 23

Post carnival relief

These are the dates for the primary pre-activities and the main events of the carnival. Make sure to mark these dates in your calendar if you are planning to attend the carnival.

Conclusion

Don’t wait for 20 February 2022. Festive vibes of carnival get started in Trinidad and Tobago way before than that. So, just take a month off everything and head true Trinidad and Tobago to experience one of the largest street parades in the world.

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