2026 Carnival Calendar
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Cover Image: Photo by Holger Woizick on Unsplash
If you’re searching for a Caribbean Carnival calendar to plan your next trip, you’re in the right place. With the official launch of Trinidad Carnival, it’s hard to believe that the next carnival season is already on the horizon, but seasoned carnival chasers know that early planning is key.
Carnival in the Caribbean and across the diaspora is more than just a street party. It is a cultural celebration of freedom, resilience, and identity, rooted in African, European, and Caribbean traditions. From steelpan music and soca fetes to vibrant costumes and food trucks serving local favorites, Carnival attracts revelers from around the world year after year.
Whether you’re a first-time masquerader or a carnival chaser planning multiple carnivals in one year, this 2026 Carnival Calendar is designed to help you map out where and when to celebrate.
What This 2026 Carnival Calendar Includes
This international Carnival calendar highlights:
- Major Caribbean Carnival celebrations
- Diaspora carnivals in the U.S., Canada, Europe, and beyond
- Approximate parade of the bands / road march dates
- Nearest airport codes for easier flight planning
- Direct links to Carnival planning guides and travel content, where available
- Places to stay in their respective areas
This guide is ideal for travelers who plan their PTO strategically, book flights early, or want to build an entire year of Carnival travel around key dates.
*Disclaimer Notice* This specific calendar list of upcoming events is an approximate date for the main event which include the parade of bands/road march. Dates and venue of events are subject to change at any time and we are not responsible for a change of date, postponed carnival, or cancellations. For accurate information on upcoming carnival events, contact the organizer/event promoter via their official website or respective social media accounts.
January 2026
January marks the start of Carnival season in the Eastern Caribbean.
Montserrat Carnival (MNI)
Best Places to Stay in Montserrat for Carnival
- Tropical Mansion Suites
- Gingerbread Hill
- Grand View Bed & Breakfast
- Olveston House
Saint Kitts Carnival – Sugar Mas (SKB)
Where to Stay in St. Kitts for Sugar Mas
St. Croix Crucian Christmas Festival (STX)
Best Places to Stay in St. Croix for Crucian Christmas Festival
- The Fred – Adults Only
- Frederiksted Hotel
- The Waves at Cane Bay
February 2026
February is the heart of Carnival season, especially for islands that follow the pre-Lenten calendar.
Aruba Carnival (AUA)
- Location: San Nicolas & Oranjestad, Aruba
- Dates: February 14, 2026 (San Nicolas), February 16, 2026 (Oranjestad)
- Website | Instagram
- Your Ultimate Guide to Spending 5 Days in Aruba
Places to Stay in San Nicolas for Aruba Carnival
- Eva Aruba Resort
- Aruba Ocean Villas
- Serene by the Sea
Best Places to Stay in Oranjestad for Aruba Carnival
- Renaissance Wind Creek Aruba Resort
- Divi Aruba All Inclusive Resort
- Holiday Inn Resort Aruba
Curaçao Karnival (CUR)
- Location: Willemstad, Curaçao
- Dates: February 15, 2026, Gran Marcha (Main Parade), February 17, 2026, (Marcha di Despedida)
- Website | Instagram
- Best Things to do in Willemstad, Curaçao
Where to Stay in Willemstad for Curaçao Karnival
- Renaissance Wind Creek Curacao Resort
- Curacao Marriott Beach Resort
- The Royal Sea Aquarium Resort
Guadeloupe Carnival (PTP)
- Location: Pointe-à-Pitre (Fat Sunday) and Basse-Terre (Fat Tuesday)
- Dates: February 15-17, 2026
- Website
Best Places to Stay in Guadeloupe for Carnival
- Créole Boutique Hôtel Maison Victoire
- Hotel Fleur d’Epée
- Hôtel La Maison Créole
Haiti Carnival (PAP)
- Location: Port-au-Prince, Cap-Haïtien, and Jacmel, Haiti
- Dates: February 15-17, 2026
- Website
Best Places to Stay for Haiti Carnival
- Hotel Florita (Jacmel)
- Marriott Port-au-Prince Hotel (Port-au-Prince)
- Hotel Satama (Cap-Haïtien)
Martinique Carnival (FDF)
- Location: Fort de France, Martinique
- Dates: February 15-18, 2026
- Website
- Travel Guide to Martinique
Best Places to Stay in Fort de France for Martinique Carnival
- Simon Hotel
- Hotel l’Impératrice
- Karibea Squash Hôtel
St. Barths Carnival (SBH)
- Location: Gustavia, Saint Barts
- Date: February 15-18, 2026
- Website
Best Places to Stay in Gustavia for St. Barths Carnival
- Eden Rock St Barths
- Tropical Hotel St Barth
- Hotel Barrière Le Carl Gustaf St Barth
St. Martin Carnival (SFG/SXM)
Best Places to Stay for St. Martin Carnival
- Hommage Hotel & Residences
- Le Beach Hôtel
- Centr’hôtel
Carriacou & Petite Martinique Carnival “Kayak Mas” (GND)
- Location: Hillsborough, Carriacou
- Dates: February 15-18, 2026
- Website
Best Places to Stay for Kayak Mas
- Grand View Hotel
- Green Roof Inn
- Mermaid Beach Hotel
Dominica Carnival – “Mas Domnik” (DOM)
- Location: Roseau, Dominica
- Dates: February 15-18, 2026
- Website | Instagram
- Planning Guide to Mas Domnik
Best Places to Stay for Mas Domnik
- Fort Young Hotel
- Sutton Place Hotel
- Jungle Bay Dominica
Trinidad Carnival (POS)
- Location: Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago
- Dates: February 11-18, 2026
- Website | Instagram
- Planning Guide to Trinidad Carnival
Best Places to Stay in Port of Spain for Trinidad Carnival
- Hyatt Regency Trinidad
- Radisson Hotel Trinidad
- Hilton Trinidad and Conference Centre
Bonaire Carnival – “Bonaire Karnaval” (BON)
- Location: Rincon and Kralendijk
- Date: February 14 (Rincon), February 15 (Kralendijk)
- Website
Best Places to Stay for Bonaire Karnaval
- Divi Flamingo and Plaza Beach Resort
- Delfins Beach Resort Bonaire
- The Bellafonte Bonaire
Guyana Mashramani (GEO)
- Location: Georgetown, Guyana
- Date: February 23, 2026
Best Places to Stay for Mashramani
- Guyana Marriott Hotel
- Grand Coastal Hotel
- Royal International Hotel & Mall
April
April is popular for diaspora Carnivals and Easter-linked celebrations.
British Virgin Islands – Virgin Gorda Easter Festival (VIJ)
- Location: Spanish Town, British Virgin Islands
- Dates: April 4-6, 2026
- Website
Best Places to Stay in Virgin Gorda
- Rosewood Little Dix Bay
- Mango Bay Resort
- Scrub Island Resort, Spa & Marina
Jamaica Carnival (KIN/MBJ)
- Location: New Kingston, Jamaica
- Date: April 8–12, 2026
- Weekend Guide to Jamaica
Best Places to Stay in Kingston, Jamaica for Carnival
- AC Hotel by Marriott Kingston
- R Hotel Kingston
- S Hotel Kingston
- ROK Hotel Kingston, Tapestry Collection by Hilton
Tampa Bay Caribbean Carnival (TPA)
Best Places to Stay in Downtown Tampa for Carnival
- SpringHill Suites by Marriott Tampa Downtown
- Le Méridien Tampa, The Courthouse
- Hyatt Place Tampa Downtown
St. Maarten Carnival (SXM)
- Location: Philipsburg, Sint Maarten
- Dates: April 30-May 5, 2026
- Website | Instagram
- Guide to SXM Carnival
Best Places to Stay in Sint Maarten for Carnival
- Royal Palm St. Maarten
- Divi Little Bay Beach Resort
- Simpson Bay Resort and Marina
May
May offers a mix of island Carnivals and major U.S. city celebrations.
St. Thomas Carnival (STT)
- Location: Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands
- Date: April 26 – May 2, 2026
- Website | Instagram
Where to Stay in St. Thomas for Carnival
- Windward Passage Hotel
- The Pink Palm Hotel
- Marriott’s Frenchman’s Cove
Cayman Islands “Cayman Carnival Batabano” (GCM)
Best Places to Stay in Grand Cayman for Cayman Carnival Batabano
- Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa
- Hampton by Hilton Grand Cayman
- Grand Cayman Marriott Resort
Cayman Islands “Braccanal” (CYB)
Where to Stay in Cayman Brac for Braccanal
- Le Soleil d’Or
- Cayman Brac Beach Resort
- Carib Sands Beach Resort
Berlin Carnival – Karneval der Kulturen (Carnival of Cultures) (BER)
Where to Stay in Berlin for Carnival of Cultures
- Sylter Hof Berlin
- Novotel Berlin Mitte
- Hilton Berlin
Atlanta Caribbean Carnival (ATL)
- Location: Atlanta, GA
- Date: MAY 22–24, 2026
- Website | Instagram
- Atlanta Carnival Guide
Best Places to Stay for Atlanta Carnival
- W Atlanta – Downtown
- The Westin Peachtree Plaza
- Courtyard Atlanta Downtown
Orlando Carnival Downtown (MCO)
Where to Stay in Orlando for Carnival
- Crowne Plaza Orlando-Downtown
- Marriott Orlando Downtown
- AC Hotel Orlando Downtown
San Francisco Carnival (SFO)
Best Places to Stay for San Francisco Carnival
- The Metro Hotel
- Hyatt Place San Francisco / Downtown
- Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco
June
This period is ideal for travelers stacking summer PTO with Carnival weekends.
Bahamas Carnival (NAS)
- Location: Nassau, Bahamas
- Date: June 3-7, 2026
- Website | Instagram
- Bahamas Carnival Guide
Best Places to Stay for Bahamas Carnival
- Warwick Paradise Island
- Grand Hyatt Baha Mar
- Courtyard by Marriott Nassau Downtown/Junkanoo Beach
South Carolina Caribbean Culture Festival (CAE)
Where to Stay in Columbia, SC for Carnival
- Hotel Trundle
- Sheraton Columbia Downtown
- Hilton Columbia Center
Charleston Carifest Caribbean Carnival (CHS)
Where to Stay in Charleston for Carifest Caribbean Carnival
- Hyatt Place Charleston Airport/Convention Center
- North Charleston Marriott
- Crowne Plaza Charleston Airport – Conv Ctr, an IHG Hotel
Bermuda Carnival – “Bermuda Heroes Weekend” (BDA)
Places to Stay for Bermuda Heroes Weekend
- Hamilton Princess & Beach Club
- Grotto Bay Beach Resort & Spa
- Royal Palms Hotel
Philadelphia Carnival (PHL)
Where to Stay in Philly for Philadelphia Carnival
- Loews Philadelphia Hotel
- Philadelphia Marriott Downtown
- Hilton Garden Inn Philadelphia Center City
Hollywood Carnival (LAX)
Best Places to Stay in LA for Hollywood Carnival
- Lowes Hollywood Hotel
- Hilton Garden Inn Los Angeles/Hollywood
- W Hollywood
New Orleans Caribbean Carnival “NOLA Carnival” (MSY)
- Location: New Orleans, LA
- Dates: TBD
- Website | Instagram
- Travel Guide to New Orleans
Where to Stay in New Orleans for NOLA Carnival
- New Orleans Marriott
- Hilton New Orleans Riverside
- Lowes New Orleans
Charlotte Caribbean Carnival (CLT)
Cayman Islands – CayMas (GCM)
Places to Stay in Grand Cayman for CayMAS
- The Westin Grand Cayman Seven Mile Beach Resort & Spa
- Hotel Indigo Grand Cayman By IHG
- The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman
Vienna Carnival (VIE)
Best Places to Stay in Vienna for Vienna Carnival
- Sans Souci Vienna
- Le Méridien Wien
- The Hoxton Vienna
July
St. John’s Celebration (SFJ)
Where to Stay in St. John
- St. John Inn
- The Westin St. John Resort Villas
- Gallows Point Resort
Baltimore Washington One Carnival (BWI)
- Location: Baltimore, MD
- Dates: July 10-12, 2026
Places to Stay in for Baltimore-Washington Carnival
- Sonesta Hotel Baltimore Inner Harbor
- Staybridge Suites Baltimore – Inner Harbor by IHG
- Hotel Ulysses
Saint Vincent Carnival “Vincy Mas” (SVD)
Where to Stay for Vincy Mas
- Blue Lagoon Hotel and Marina
- Beachcombers Hotel
- Grenadine House
Roatan Carnival (RTB)
Where to Stay in Roatan for Carnival
- Kimpton Grand Roatan Resort and Spa
- Infinity Bay Resort
- Paradise Beach Hotel
Saint Lucia Carnival (SLU/UVF)
Best Places to Stay in St Lucia for Carnival
- Harbor Club St. Lucia
- Bay Gardens Beach Resort and Spa
- Coco Palm Resort
Virginia Beach Carnival (ORF)
- Location: Virginia Beach, VA
- Dates: July 16-19,2026
- Website
Best Places to Stay in Virginia Beach for Carnival
- Crown Plaza Virginia Beach Town Center
- Residence Inn by Marriott Virginia Beach Town Center
- Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites Virginia Beach Town Center
Atlantic City Carnival (ACY)
- Location: Atlantic City, NJ
- Dates: TBD
- Website | Instagram
- Guide to Atlantic City
Jersey City Caribbean Carnival (EWR/NYC)
Rotterdam Summer Carnival “Zomercarnaval” (RTM)
Saba Carnival – Saba Summer Festival (SAB)
- Location: The Bottom, Saba
- Date: TBD
- Website | Instagram
- Travel Guide to Saba
Where to Stay in Saba
- The Cottage Club
- Juliana’s Hotel
Twin Cities Carifest (MSP)
August
Toronto Caribbean Carnival “Caribana” (YYZ)
- Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Date: July 30-August 3, 2026
- Website | Instagram
- Toronto Travel Guide
Where to Stay in Toronto for Caribana
- Sheraton Centre
- Hyatt Regency Toronto
- Intercontinental Toronto Center
Barbados Crop Over Festival “Grand Kadooment” (BGI)
- Location: Bridgetown, Barbados
- Date: July 29 to August 4, 2026
- Website | Instagram
- Things to do in Barbados
Best Places to Stay in Barbados
- Accra Beach Hotel & Spa
- Hilton Barbados
- Bougainvillea Barbados
Antigua Carnival (ANU)
Where to Stay in Antigua for Carnival
- Royalton Antigua
- Siboney Beach Club
- Cocobay Resort
Sint Eustatius/Statia Carnival “Golden Rock Mas” (EUX)
Best Places to Stay in Statia
- Golden Rock Dive and Nature Resort
- Talk of the Town Inn & Suites
- The Old Gin House
Tortola Carnival “BVI Emancipation Festival” (EIS)
Nevis Culturama Festival (NEV/SKB)
Best Places to Stay in Nevis for Culturama
Anguilla Summer Festival (AXA)
- Location: The Valley, Anguilla
- Date: July 24 – August 9, 2026
Where to Stay in Anguilla
- Four Seasons Anguilla
- Rendezvous Bay Hotel
- Zemi Beach House, LXR Hotels & Resorts
Jacksonville Caribbean Carnival (JAX)
WIIC Hartford Parade (BDL)
Manchester Caribbean Carnival (MHT)
Grenada Carnival “Spice Mas” (GND)
Where to Stay in Grenada for Spice Mas
- Calabash Hotel
- Radisson Hotel Grenada
- True Blue Bay Resort
Chi Carnival Weekend (ORD/MDW)
- Location: Chicago, IL
- Date: TBD
Raleigh Carnival “Caribmask” (RDU)
- Location: Raleigh, NC
- Date: August 15, 2026
Delaware Caribbean Carnival (ILG)
Nottinghill Carnival (LHR)
- Location: London, United Kingdom
- Dates: August 28-31, 2026
- Website | Instagram
- London Travel Guide
Leeds West Indian Carnival (LBA/MHT)
September
New York Carnival (NYC)
Norfolk “Virginia Caribfest” (ORF)
Cambridge Carnival (BOS)
Belize Carnival (BZE)
Japan Carnival “Japan Soca Weekend” (NRT/HND)
Austin Summer Carnival (AUS)
October
Miami Carnival (MIA/FLL)
Tobago Carnival (TAB/POS)
- Location: Scarborough, Tobago
- Dates: October 30- November 1, 2026
- Website | Instagram
- Tobago Carnival Guide
Best Places to Stay in Tobago for Carnival
- Comfort Inn & Suites
- Carolina Point Resort
- Le Grand Courlan Spa Resort
I hope this 2026 carnival calendar was helpful with your planning. Whether you’re celebrating Carnival in the USA or abroad, each destination provides a unique and unforgettable experience.
If you don’t see your Carnival listed, notice an inaccuracy, want me to cover your Carnival, or need help planning your trip, read these travel resources I use for Carnival trips, or contact me directly.
Read More Carnival Guides and Tips
Last Minute Carnival Monday Wear Ideas for Every Budget
Carnival Prep: Tips for Getting Ready for the Road
The Ultimate Trinidad Carnival Packing List
