Cover Photo by Ary Milligan on Unsplash
As a Caribbean American growing up in NYC, my first memories of celebrating carnival in the US were in the streets of Brooklyn.
Every year, my family would drive or take the subway from Queens to see masqueraders young and old chippin’ behind the trucks on Eastern Parkway for WIADCA’s annual Labor Day Parade.
The sounds of the steel pan, live music from throughout the Caribbean region playing, smells of jerk chicken, fresh bake and saltfish, and the vibrancy of spectators and masqueraders made me fall in love with the spirit of carnival and Caribbean culture as a whole.
Caribbean carnivals have been the display of colorful costumes, music, and creativity within the Caribbean region.
While many people associate Caribbean Carnivals with destinations like Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, or Antigua, living in the United States you don’t have to travel far to get the carnival experience.
As more Caribbean islands start to highlight their carnival as a tourism product, we have seen the cost of carnivals rise whether it be for fetes, flights, costumes, lodging, or a combination.
If you can’t make it to the islands this spring and summer carnival season, here’s where you can celebrate Caribbean carnivals in the US.
Tampa Bay Caribbean Carnival
Location: Tampa, FL
Dates: April 20-22
Atlanta Caribbean Carnival
Location: Atlanta, GA
Dates: June 21-24
Arizona Caribbean Carnival
Location: Phoenix, AX
Dates: May 26-28
Orlando Carnival Downtown
Location: Orlando, FL
Dates: May 26-28
South Carolina Carnival
Location: Columbia, SC
Dates: June 8-11
Philly Carnival
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Dates: June 16-18
New Orleans Caribbean Carnival
Location: New Orleans, LA
Dates: June 21-24
Hollywood Carnival
Location: Hollywood, CA
Dates: June 22-25
Charlotte Caribbean Carnival
Dates: June 23-25
Charleston Carifest
Location: Charleston, NC
Dates: June 29-July 1
Houston Caribbean Festival
Location: Houston, TX
Dates: June 29-July 3
Baltimore Washington One Carnival
Location: Baltimore, MD
Dates: July 7-9
Virginia Beach
Location: Virginia Beach, VA
Dates: July 20-23
Twin Cities Carifest
Location: Minneapolis MN
Dates: July 21-22
Jersey City Carnival
Location: Jersey City, NJ
Dates: July 22
Jacksonville Caribbean Carnival
Location: Jacksonville, FL
Dates: August 5-13 (Grand Parade August 12)
WIIC Hartford Parade
Location: Hartford, CT
Dates: August 12
Chi Carnival Weekend (Chicago’s Carnival Experience Weekend)
Location: Chicago, IL
Dates: August 18-20
Caribmask (Raleigh Carnival)
Location: Raleigh/Durham, NC
Dates: August 19
Boston Caribbean Carnival
Location: Dorchester, MA
Dates: August 25-27
New York Carnival
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Dates: August 31-September 4
Columbus Caribbean Festival
Location: Columbus, OH
Dates: September 3-4
Virginia Caribfest
Location: Norfolk, VA
Dates: September 8-9
Cambridge Carnival
Location: Cambridge, MA
Dates: September 10
Dallas Carnival Caribbean Fest
Location: Dallas, TX
Dates: Septemeber 14-17
Long Island Carnival
Location: Wyandanch, NY
Dates: September 16
Miami Broward Carnival
Location: Miami, FL
Dates: October 6-8 (Jr. Carnival September 30)
Honorable mention…US Virgin Islands
If you’re a US citizen, you can get the Caribbean carnival experience without using your passport by visiting the US Virgin Islands. USVI has three separate carnivals in the winter, spring, and summer.
You can find out more information by visiting the US Virgin Islands Division of Festivals website and Instagram
St Croix Festival
Location: St Thomas, USVI
Dates: December 30-January 6
St Thomas
Location: St Thomas, USVI
Dates: April 24-29
St John Celebration
Location: St John, USVI
Dates: June 29-July 4
While the Caribbean is the epicenter of carnival festivities, you don’t have to travel far to experience the sound of the steel drums and the joy spread in this unique celebration.
For a country with its citizens having different cultures and backgrounds, the United States has many cities that host various carnival celebrations. This annual celebration offers a “taste of home” for immigrants and naturalized citizens and an introduction to the cultural heritage and experience that you can get in the Caribbean for first-generation children or anyone interested in learning more about Caribbean carnivals.
Whether you’re in Miami, Brooklyn, Atlanta, Houston, or Washington, D.C., get ready to celebrate and create unforgettable memories.
If you found this guide on where to celebrate Caribbean carnivals in the US helpful, share it with your social community and pin it for future use.
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