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Epic Trinidad and Tobago Carnival Celebrations 2023:
Carnival celebrations are heating up in Trinidad and Tobago! Dubbed “the Mother of All Carnivals” the stage is set for Trinidad and Tobago Carnival celebrations 2023. Coming on the heels of a hiatus in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and a scaled down celebration in 2022, this year’s celebration is poised to be one of the greatest. Thus far the Carnival season is in full swing with weekly competitions, fetes as well as the John Cupid Carnival Village which officially opened on January 21, 2023.
About Trinidad and Tobago Carnival
Trinidad and Tobago’s main Carnival celebrations traditionally take place every year on the Monday and Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, the start of the Lenten season. This year’s official celebrations are scheduled for February 20 and 21, 2023, however, as usual, they began much earlier, as soon as the Christmas season of the previous year ended. It is marked by several competitions, parties and events all leading up to Carnival Monday and Tuesday. Whether you’re a first time visitor or a regular there’s lots to do and see for Trinidad and Tobago Carnival Celebrations 2023.
Visit the John Cupid Carnival Village
The John Cupid Carnival Village which officially opened for 2023 on Saturday 21st January, 2023 is located at the Carnival City on the Eastern Side of the Queen’s Park Savannah in the capital city of Port of Spain. The village offers local entertainment, food and local artisans with lots of art and craft for sale.
There are also special morning tours for school children and cruise ship tourists allowing them to learn about the Carnival culture and experience some of the many art forms which form part of the Carnival celebrations. There are also live shows in the evenings which really showcase the essence of Trinidad and Tobago Carnival. Be sure to check it out – . Admission is free!
Parade of Bands – Trinidad and Tobago Carnival Celebrations 2023
One of the major highlights of Carnival is the Parade of Bands where masqueraders parade through the streets in carnival costumes for two entire days dancing to sweet soca music. Many Carnival bands launch their presentation months before the actual Carnival celebrations with some launching as early as August the previous year. While many of the large Carnival Bands have already sold out since last year you can still purchase some available carnival costumes for both J’Ouvert and the Senior Parade of the Bands on sites such as My Carnival Bands.
Enjoy the Fetes
One major aspect of Carnival is the nonstop parties or ‘fetes’ as they are called in the local parlance. Many people plan their weekends leading up to Carnival in advance to ensure they partake of their favorite fetes. The most popular ones are All Inclusive or have all inclusive VIP areas which provide patrons with a variety of food and both alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks. Check out our previous post on Trinidad and Tobago Carnival 2023 for listing of some of the major fetes.
Attend Major Events and Competitions – Trinidad and Tobago Carnival Celebrations 2023
There are several traditional events and competitions which take place every year as part of the Carnival Celebrations leading up to Carnival Monday and Tuesday. These include Panorama, Extempo, Stick Fighting and King and Queen of the Bands, just to name a few. While many have gone, as the Carnival season is drawing to an end, here is a list of the major events still to come in February for Trinidad and Tobago Carnival Celebrations 2023:
Wednesday 15th February
Event: Senior Kings and Queens Semi Finals & Junior Kings and Queens Finals
Venue: Carnival City, Queens Park Savannah, Port-of-Spain
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Event: National Stick Fighting Finals
Venue: Skinner Park, San Fernando
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Event: Kaisorama Extempo Champion Finals
Venue: To be announced
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Thursday 16th February
Event: Conventional Individuals Competition
Venue: Adam Smith Square, Port-of-Spain
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Friday 17th February (Carnival Friday / Fantastic Friday)
Event: Re-enactment of Canboulay Riots
Venue: Piccadilly Greens, , Port-of-Spain
Time: 4:00 a.m.
Event: Dragon Festival
Venue: George and Prince Streets, Port-of-Spain
Time: 9:00 a.m.
Event: Traditional Carnival Characters Parade
Venue: Memorial Park, Victoria Square and Woodford Square, , Port-of-Spain
Time: 12:00 noon
Event: Chutney Soca Monarch
Venue: Skinner Park
Time: 9:00 p.m.
Saturday 18th February (Carnival Saturday)
Event: Junior Parade of Bands
Venue: Carnival City, Queens Park Savannah, Port-of-Spain
Time: 9:00 a.m.
Event: National Panorama Finals (Large Bands)
Venue: Carnival City, Queens Park Savannah, Port-of-Spain
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Sunday 19th February (Carnival Sunday)
Event: Dimanche Gras
Senior Kings and Queens Finals and National Calypso Monarch Finals
Venue: Carnival City, Queens Park Savannah, Port-of-Spain
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Monday 20th February (Carnival Monday)
Event: J’Ouvert
Venue: Port-of-Spain and Scarborough
Time: 4:00 a.m.
Event: Monday Traditional Parade
Venue: Carnival City, Queens Park Savannah, Port-of-Spain
Time: 9:00 a.m.
Event: Senior Parade of Bands
Venue: Port of Spain
Time: 11:00 a.m.
Event: Brass Bacchanal
Venue: Carnival City, Queens Park Savannah, Port-of-Spain
Time: 9:00 p.m.
Tuesday 21st February (Carnival Tuesday)
Event: Senior Parade of Bands
Venue: Port of Spain
Time: 8:00 a.m.
Event: Pan on the Road Mas and Las Lap
Venue: All regions
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Saturday 25th February
Event: Carnival Lagniappe
Venue: Carnival City, Queens Park Savannah, Port-of-Spain
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Book Now
Do you have your bags packed and your ticket in hand for Trinidad and Tobago Carnival Celebrations 2023? If not and you’re like many now making plans here is an available last minute deal from CheapOair
While you get ready for your trip be sure to check out our latest products below.
Other Caribbean Carnivals Being Held in February 2023
If, unfortunately, you can’t make it to Trinidad, tickets sell out really fast – you can check out these other Carnivals which take place at the same time:
- Martinique Carnival – February 16 – 22, 2023
- Carnaval de Ponce, Puerto Rico – February 16 – 21, 2023
- Curaçao Carnival – February 20, 2023
- Guadeloupe Carnival – February 20, 2023
- Carriacou, Grenada – February 20 – 21, 2023
- Haiti Kanaval – February 21, 2023
- Dominican Republic Carnival – February 23 – 27, 2023
- Aruba Carnival – February 20, 2023
Relax, enjoy one of our podcast episodes below and feel the Caribbean vibe as you get ready for Trinidad and Tobago Carnival Celebrations 2023!
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