Summer Carnivals We’re Looking Forward To In 2022
The world is slowly returning to normal — the new normal — and large-scale events like Carnival are back on the agenda. Carnival is embedded in the DNA of Caribbean people, whether you’re in the region or its diaspora communities around the world.
WI spoke with locals about Carnival in their home country to assist WI People with their travel plans. (*Answers edited for clarity and brevity.)
VINCY MAS 🇻🇨
🗓 June 24th –– July 5th, 2022
Answers by policy analyst, Dalano DaSouza.
What do you like about Vincy Mas?
I love how Vincy Mas brings people together. Thousands literally come together in one place, nobody cussing, no strife. Just enjoying the culture, music and vibes.
What should patrons expect at Vincy Mas?
Patrons should expect energy and pace. Vincy Mas is known for an energetic display of celebrations. Vincentians let go and release it all during Carnival. Event after event, after event, the vibe is always there; you have to come prepared to go the distance.
What makes Vincy Mas unique?
I love that there are several rural/village Carnivals in the lead up to the official Vincy Mas celebrations. You have the opportunity to see how different parts of SVG put their own spin on Carnival and then experience it all come together during the main week of Vincy Mas.
SPICEMAS 🇬🇩
📸 @dygo784
🗓 August 8th –– 9th, 2022 (*some events take place before these dates)
Answers by Spicemas CEO, Kelvin Jacob.
What do you like about Spicemas?
For me, I like the safety of going to Spicemas. I have a good time, there’s nice vibes.
What should patrons expect at Spicemas?
Fun, excitement, high energy at all events; love and friendliness of the Grenadian people.
What makes Spicemas unique?
The things that separates Spicemas from other Carnivals are our unique traditional mas, J’ouvert and Monday night mas; as well as the safety and friendliness of the people.
ST. LUCIA CARNIVAL 🇱🇨
🗓 July 7th –– July 19th, 2022
Answers by Fuzion Mas committee member, Tihannie Leo.
What do you like about St. Lucia Carnival?
The vibes at Carnival are immaculate. The music is always amazing and everyone is just in pure bliss. Nothing is sweeter than this!
What should patrons expect at St. Lucia Carnival?
Endless flowing drinks, amazing DJs, great vibes and plenty, plenty fun.
What makes St. Lucia Carnival unique?
Everyone is one. The focus in St. Lucia is less on the looks of the people around you and more on the endless vibes.
ANTIGUA CARNIVAL 🇦🇬
🗓 July 27th –– August 2nd, 2022
Answers by accountant, Rakeem Nicholas.
What do you like about Antigua Carnival?
What I like about Antigua’s Carnival is that it’s still almost a hidden gem for those who have had the opportunity and pleasure to experience it. What truly makes it different and lovable is that it is not yet as commercialized (as some other regional Carnivals) and patrons who participate really enjoy themselves whilst still remembering the true meaning of the celebration, which is the emancipation of slavery.
What should patrons expect at Antigua Carnival?
Patrons and spectators alike can expect to witness the revelry of mas, be immersed with a beautiful display of culture and learn about its rich history, all whilst displaying their costumes through a kaleidoscope of colours on the road with two days of non-stop fun.
What makes Antigua Carnival unique?
Antigua’s Carnival is unique for the simple fact that it’s the greatest summer festival in the world. There is a sense of utopia and social unity, the music is second to none, the costumes and the street parades allow patrons to set aside their everyday livelihoods and bask in an alternate reality that can only be described as euphoric!
CROP OVER 🇧🇧
🗓 July 29th –– August 2nd, 2022 (*some events take place before these dates)
Answers by Soca artiste, Rhea Layne.
What do you like about Crop Over?
Personally, I love the cultural aspects of Crop Over. I enjoy the celebration of our history and folklore and I love that we incorporate that into the national festival. It’s a great opportunity for creatives of all kinds of arts to express themselves and our culture; from literary, dance, designers, musicians, poets, culinary, etc.
What should patrons expect at Crop Over?
This year the Grand Kadooment jump, as we call it (or parade) will be on a different path to the usual route. It will go from Warrens along the ABC Highway to the Emancipation Statue, back along the highway through Waterford and culminate at the national stadium.
Patrons can also expect a different kind of party experience from other islands. Bajans tend to be very waistline oriented and don’t necessarily jump up and “wild out” but we gine pelt nuff waist and wuk up bad bad bad, and we will be having the time of our lives! We just party different!
What makes Crop Over unique?
What makes Crop Over unique is that it’s primarily a traditional celebration of the harvesting of the last canes, as the name suggests. It’s one of the oldest festivals in the Western Hemisphere and is directly linked to the history of our nation and I love that we still open our festival with the ceremonial delivery of the last canes as an ode to our ancestors.
It extends beyond partying and Grand Kadooment (which is just the culmination of a 2 month-long festival of celebration), unlike Carnival which was traditionally a Christian festival preceding the Lenten season. It really is the sweetest Summer Festival!
NOTTING HILL CARNIVAL 🇬🇧
📅 August 27th –– 29th, 2022 (*some events take place before these dates)
Answers by Bèl Dyès Mas brand director, Emma Mathurine.
What do you like about Notting Hill Carnival?
I like the celebration and recognition of Caribbean culture in the UK.
What should patrons expect at Notting Hill Carnival?
If you are a masquerader, you should be expecting to be dancing alongside the float (or truck). Whether you’re a drinker or not, you should expect to receive food and beverages throughout the day. You should expect to hear Soca and Calypso –– the true sounds of the Caribbean; and be amongst other people who have a love of the Caribbean and its culture. You can also expect street vendors selling Caribbean-themed products and food.
What makes Notting Hill Carnival unique?
Notting Hill Carnival is unique because it has a history that is very specifically Caribbean but also of London. You have a history that goes back to why Notting Hill Carnival was started in the ‘60s/’70s.
There was a lot of unrest and racism faced by the Caribbean/Black community and a celebration was needed of their culture. It is unique because it is the biggest street festival or Carnival in the whole of Europe and second biggest in the world behind Rio de Janeiro. It’s unique because you’re very much having a Caribbean experience in London.