The Ultimate Planning Guide to Mas Domnik 2024
Need a planning guide to Mas Domnik 2024? Known as ‘The Real Mas’ in the Caribbean, Mas Domnik is an annual celebration presented by the Government of Dominica through the Ministry of Tourism and Discover Dominica Authority. Events include Calypso music shows, village festivals, and pageants leading to a two-day street parade showcasing Dominica’s cultural traditions.
Mas Domnik combines African and French traditional roots with characters in sensay costumes such as the Darkies, Black Devils, BwaBwa (moko jumbies), and masqueraders in colorful costumes, dancing to Soca, Calypso, and Bouyon Music.
If you want to visit The Nature Island of the Caribbean for its carnival, here’s a complete guide to planning Mas Domnik 2024, including where to stay, mas bands, fetes, and things to do in Dominica outside the carnival celebration.
About Dominica
Located in the Lesser Antilles in the eastern Caribbean Sea between the French Caribbean islands of Guadeloupe and Martinique, Dominica (pronounced DAA-MUH-NEE-KUH) is an island known for its mountainous, lush rainforests, hot springs, waterfalls, and diving spots making it a great destination for ecotourism.
When is Carnival in Dominica 2024
Dominica’s Carnival begins shortly after New Years in mid-January, with the opening of the Carnival and the beginning of fetes and cultural competitions like the Calypso Monarch at Stardom tent and Carnival Queen competitions. Like Trinidad Carnival, Mas Domnik’s Carnival celebrations end on the Monday and Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, which is the beginning of Lent.
The Carnival street parades for Mas Domnik 2024 are Carnival Monday, February 12, 2024, and Carnival Tuesday, February 13, 2024. Dominica also has a ceremony called téwé vaval, a burial ritual held on Ash Wednesday by their indigenous Kalinago People, indicating the end of the carnival season.
Getting to Dominica
Dominica has two airports: Douglas-Charles (DOM), formerly known as Melville Hall and Canefield (DCF) Airports. Most visitors to Dominica will arrive through DOM.
Visitors can fly directly to Dominica via American Airlines from Miami International Airport (MIA), San Juan, Puerto Rico (SJU), or connect through other Caribbean travel hubs like Barbados (BGI), Trinidad & Tobago (POS), Antigua (ANU), and St. Maarten (SXM).
You can also get to Dominica by ferry service from the islands of Guadeloupe, Martinique, and Saint Lucia via the L’Express des Îles or Val Ferry, leaving from Guadeloupe and Martinique.
You can get more accurate information on how to get to Dominica via flight or ferry here.
Where to Stay in Dominica
For a small Caribbean island, Dominica has a variety of hotels, cottages, apartments, and guest houses for every budget. The best area to stay during Mas Domnik is in the capital, Roseau, where the Carnival Village is.
Recommended hotels include the Fort Young Hotel, Sutton Place Hotel, Intercontinental Dominica in Portsmouth, or Jungle Bay Dominica in Soufriere. You can look at the interactive map for hotels and guest houses that meet your budget.
Dominica Carnival 2024 Bands
There are several bands of various categories for carnival lovers to play with in Dominica. You must register with a band to fully participate in the grand parade.
- J’ouvert Morning 4-6 AM (Lapo Kabwit Bands- Goat Skins drum band)
- Hifi Bands 6-8 AM
- Traditional Mas – 10 AM -12 PM
Here is a list of traditional, contemporary, and t-shirt bands. For Mas Domnik 2024, I’ll be playing mas with Fantacy Tribe in their Overcast Section. A benefit of playing with Fantacy Tribe is the inclusion of a j’ouvert package and tickets to 6 fetes with the purchase of a costume.
Carnival Monday J’ouvert Bands
Triple K Band
Lumi-Nation
Traditional Bands – 10 am to 12 Noon
Afrikulture Stilt Walkers (Bwa Bwa crew)
Thunderbirds
T-Shirt Bands – 2-10 PM
Triple Kay International – Mega Monday
Klubird T-shirt Band
Carnival Tuesday Contemporary Costume Bands (Pretty Mas) 10 AM
Where to Fete for Mas Domnik
Popular fetes for Mas Domnik are Drift, Viva La Carnival, and Opulence Brunch. You can also check out the Carnival Calendar of Events on the Dominica Festivals Instagram page. Some fetes include live performances from top artists like Triple Kay, Signal Band, and Asa Bantan. Below is a list of events that are included with Fantacy Tribe registration:
Feb 7: Roll Call: The Calm Before the Storm
Feb 8: Fantacy Fitness Fusion
Feb 11: Band Practice – Bouyon for Breakfast
Feb 12: Lumi-Nation & KluBird
Feb 13: Fantacy Tribe Erratic Under the Weather
Best Things to Do in Dominica
Outside the Carnival festivities, Dominica has many things to do during carnival time, like visiting the Negre Mawon (runaway slave) tribute to the Maroons of Dominica, its black sand beaches and tropical rain forests, Emerald Pool, Trafalgar Falls, Cabrits National Park, and The Indian River, diving and snorkeling at Champagne Reef, and its natural hot springs.
A great resource for finding things to do in Dominica for the first time, including visiting popular sites and attending their World Creole Music Festival, is Dee’s Curve, a travel and lifestyle creator from Dominica.
If you’re looking for a Caribbean Carnival that offers a great mix of modern mas and old carnival traditions, try Mas Domnik. I hope this guide to Mas Domnik was helpful in your planning. Share this with your social community and pin it for future reference.
Read more Carnival planning guides and reviews:
Best Hairstyles for Playing Mas
Carnival Prep: Tips for Getting Ready for Carnival
No Place Like Home: Tobago Carnival 2023 Recap
