The Carefree Traveller
Carnival 2011 Carnival Monday March 7 Carnival Tuesday March 8 |
The Trinidad Carnival is by far the most significant festival in Trinidad and Tobago. It has
evolved over the past two centuries from an elegant, exclusive affair to a truly all-inclusive
national festival.
Introduced to Trinidad in the late 1700s by the French, Carnival evolved from the
elaborate masquerade balls to the present spectacle of the streets. With each new group
of immigrants adding its own touch, Carnival blossomed into a nationwide party, with
calypso and steel pan music reflecting the country's multi-ethnic nature. Carnival today
includes influences from all creeds, races and classes and has spread beyond the shores
of this twin island nation.
Dimanche Gras is the biggest show of the carnival season. All the major elements of
Carnival - Mas, Steelpan, Calypso, Soca music, the finalists of the Kings and Queens (of
the bands) and the Calypso Monarch competitions are showcased. The highlight of the
event is the Calypso Monarch competition and the battle for supremacy. The winner is
crowned National Calypso Monarch. This event has to be seen to be believed.
Officially Carnival is the Monday and Tuesday preceding Ash Wednesday but celebrations
begin right after Christmas.
From Boxing Day it is non-stop partying until Carnival Sunday.
It is during this post Christmas period that calypso tents open their doors to the public
and cultural shows, from Limbo competitions to massive soca concerts, begin.
Radio stations begin to play the latest soca hits and many masquerade bands launch their
new themes.
Steelbands begin intense preparations for Panorama, the annual competition for steel pan
bands. Preliminary contests are hosted at panyards throughout the country during the six
weeks leading up to Carnival. Panorama finals are the ultimate test of musical skill.
Representing the best of the best, selected bands compete before judges and thousands
of spectators the Saturday night before Carnival officially begins.
.
evolved over the past two centuries from an elegant, exclusive affair to a truly all-inclusive
national festival.
Introduced to Trinidad in the late 1700s by the French, Carnival evolved from the
elaborate masquerade balls to the present spectacle of the streets. With each new group
of immigrants adding its own touch, Carnival blossomed into a nationwide party, with
calypso and steel pan music reflecting the country's multi-ethnic nature. Carnival today
includes influences from all creeds, races and classes and has spread beyond the shores
of this twin island nation.
Dimanche Gras is the biggest show of the carnival season. All the major elements of
Carnival - Mas, Steelpan, Calypso, Soca music, the finalists of the Kings and Queens (of
the bands) and the Calypso Monarch competitions are showcased. The highlight of the
event is the Calypso Monarch competition and the battle for supremacy. The winner is
crowned National Calypso Monarch. This event has to be seen to be believed.
Officially Carnival is the Monday and Tuesday preceding Ash Wednesday but celebrations
begin right after Christmas.
From Boxing Day it is non-stop partying until Carnival Sunday.
It is during this post Christmas period that calypso tents open their doors to the public
and cultural shows, from Limbo competitions to massive soca concerts, begin.
Radio stations begin to play the latest soca hits and many masquerade bands launch their
new themes.
Steelbands begin intense preparations for Panorama, the annual competition for steel pan
bands. Preliminary contests are hosted at panyards throughout the country during the six
weeks leading up to Carnival. Panorama finals are the ultimate test of musical skill.
Representing the best of the best, selected bands compete before judges and thousands
of spectators the Saturday night before Carnival officially begins.
.
Information and What to Do in Trinidad and Tobago
Book your Trinidad Flight
Reserve your Trinidad/Tobago Accomodations
The Trinidad Guide
Book your Trinidad Flight
Reserve your Trinidad/Tobago Accomodations
The Trinidad Guide
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Carefree Traveller. Travel guides, maps and travel store.
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Accomodations:
Hotels
Resorts & Spas
Vacation Home & Villas
Vacation Packages
Car Rentals
Travel With Pets
Specialty Travel
Tours
Festivals & Special Events
Travel Insurance
Travel Planning
Destinations
Travel Guides
Maps
Travel Store
Resources
Privacy Policy
Terms of Use
Contact Us
J'Ouvert
Each year at 4 am on Monday, Carnival begins under a cloak of darkness. Fuelled
by exhilaration and the energetic rhythms of soca music, revellers take to the
streets for the predawn party of J'Ouvert.
J'Ouvert (from the French 'jour ouvert' or 'day open') is almost ritualistic in its
celebration of the darker elements of the island's folklore and history. Bathed in
chocolate, mud, oil and paint, bands of revellers depict devils, demons, monsters
and imps. Choose your medium of expression; J'Ouvert is a time for loosening of
inhibitions.
Carnival Monday
Come daytime, the J'Ouvert revelry clears and massive costumed bands of
"Pretty Mas" players flood the street with riotous colour. A cast of thousands
take to the street "jumping up" and "wining" (gyrating of the hips) to the sound
of soca blaring from speakers piled on music trucks. The excitement is at fever
pitch, but Carnival Monday is only a "warm-up" for Carnival Tuesday.
Carnival Tuesday
Carnival Tuesday begins promptly at 8 a.m. Thousands of masqueraders are in
full costume, ready and impatiently awaiting their chance to strut in front of the
television cameras as bands cross the main judging points. Each band has its
own historical, mythological or tropical concept with various sections depicting
aspects of the main theme.
Bands are judged in three categories: small, medium and large and winners are
announced after all the bands have crossed the stage. The Champion Band is
crowned Masquerade Band of the Year.
Each year at 4 am on Monday, Carnival begins under a cloak of darkness. Fuelled
by exhilaration and the energetic rhythms of soca music, revellers take to the
streets for the predawn party of J'Ouvert.
J'Ouvert (from the French 'jour ouvert' or 'day open') is almost ritualistic in its
celebration of the darker elements of the island's folklore and history. Bathed in
chocolate, mud, oil and paint, bands of revellers depict devils, demons, monsters
and imps. Choose your medium of expression; J'Ouvert is a time for loosening of
inhibitions.
Carnival Monday
Come daytime, the J'Ouvert revelry clears and massive costumed bands of
"Pretty Mas" players flood the street with riotous colour. A cast of thousands
take to the street "jumping up" and "wining" (gyrating of the hips) to the sound
of soca blaring from speakers piled on music trucks. The excitement is at fever
pitch, but Carnival Monday is only a "warm-up" for Carnival Tuesday.
Carnival Tuesday
Carnival Tuesday begins promptly at 8 a.m. Thousands of masqueraders are in
full costume, ready and impatiently awaiting their chance to strut in front of the
television cameras as bands cross the main judging points. Each band has its
own historical, mythological or tropical concept with various sections depicting
aspects of the main theme.
Bands are judged in three categories: small, medium and large and winners are
announced after all the bands have crossed the stage. The Champion Band is
crowned Masquerade Band of the Year.
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