Essential information on what’s happening across the region to help you make the most of July and August!
Don’t miss out
Tobago’s rich cultural heritage is on display Tobago Heritage Festival, which lasts from mid-July to early August. Visitors can explore the island’s history and culture through events celebrating dance, storytelling, food, music and more. Crowd favorites include the Ole Time Tobago Wedding at Moriah, as well as Folk Tales and Superstitions at Les Coteaux. The costumes, smiles and passionate performances are irresistible as Tobagonians honor their heritage and traditions.
Festival calendar
Named for the durability and versatility of the calabash Montserrat Calabash Festival (17–23 July) showcases the creativity of local artisans and the island’s rich culture with live performances, walks, a family day out, boat excursions and culinary experiences.
The biggest names in reggae and dancehall come together for it Reggae Sumfest (July 20–23) in Montego Bay, Jamaica. The star-studded lineup includes Shenseea, Dexta Daps, Spice, Christopher Martin and some of your favorite legends.
Strong wind and waves test sailors on the open sea Grand Bahama Regatta (July 21–23). Sailors in Class B and C sloops compete in races at Taino Beach, Lucaya for top prizes and the coveted title of “Champion of the Sea.”
Emancipation Day (August 1) commemorates the official end of slavery in the British colonies in 1834. It is celebrated throughout the English-speaking Caribbean with plays, processions, lectures, exhibitions and historical re-enactments to entertain and enlighten.
There are similar celebrations in Suriname a month ago – theirs Keti Kot Festivalmeaning “broken chain”, commemorates the abolition in the Caribbean (July 1, 1863).
The energetic bowl of drumming guides the multi-day Hosay celebrations in Trinidad (culminating around August 8), the island’s epitome of Islamic Muharram celebrations. Shiite Muslim celebrants carry moons and colorful tajas – interpretations of the tomb of Hussein, the martyred grandson of the Prophet Muhammad – on their shoulders through St James and Cedros streets. There are also celebrations in Jamaica, Suriname and Guyana.
Carnival fever
Vincy Mas (Saint Vincent)
June 24-July 5
Non-stop action includes major events such as J’Ouvert, Soca Monarch, Panorama and Parade of Bands through the streets of Kingstown
Jamaica Carnival
July 4-14
Mixes of reggae, soca, dancehall and calypso fuel the parades and festivities leading up to the National Carnival Road March, where groups of masqueraders compete for supremacy
St. Lucia Carnival
July 7-19
Fun with Lucian flair means partying, racing and pumping to the island’s signature Dennery Segment music along with soca and calypso
Antigua Carnival
July 27-August 2
Closely associated with emancipation commemorations, the festive season of plays and parades culminates in an explosion of colour, music and festivities on the streets of St John.
Caribana (Toronto, Canada)
July 28-August 1
Toronto’s Caribbean Diaspora celebrates the region’s culture in an extraordinary display of visual and performing arts, costumes and entertainment
Cutting (Barbados)
July 2-August 2
An entire season of dusk-to-dawn parties, arts and crafts markets and street food fairs culminates with an epic masquerade at the Grand Kadooment on the first Monday of August
Spicemas (Grenada)
August 4-13
Let the energy of Jab Jab power you through the Spicemas season, from the Calypso Finals on Fantastic Thursday (4th August) to the Parade of Bands on Tuesday (9th August)
Havana Carnival (Cuba)
August 16-26
The city is filled with spectacular music, conga lines, extravagant costumes and fireworks. Traditional and contemporary music fills the air as the parade winds its way down the length of the Malecon
Notting Hill Carnival (London, England)
August 27-29
Samba bands, masquerade groups, steel bands and more bands celebrate the carnival spirit at one of the biggest street festivals in Europe. There are activities for kids, lots of good food and live music stages playing everything from Afrobeats to house music.
Screen noise
Leaps of faith
The Soleil Saturday x Third Horizon short film series continues this July with the debut feature of Jamaican Kia Moses, The flight — which follows a Jamaican boy at a crossroads in his life who aims to fly to the moon; and Barbadian Melanie Grant Jasmine’s Book – which follows a woman torn between her spirituality and sexuality, and on a journey for answers.
The July installment of the series — a partnership between Soleil Space and the Third Horizon Film Festival to showcase short films from the Caribbean diaspora — airs July 9 at 12pm EST on the Soleil Space YouTube channel (youtube.com/soleilspace). A Q&A with the filmmakers will follow the screenings.
