The Caribbean's Top Events and Festivals

Millions of tourists travel to the Caribbean annually, but it’s not just because of pristine white sand beaches and the warm tropical climate along that brings visitors to these islands yearly. Caribbean people know how to throw a great event. The Caribbean region host thousands of events annually, from unceremonious local parties to traditional cultural festivals celebrating its heritage with music, food dance and much more. Here are 10 Caribbean events that you should check out next time you visit the Caribbean.

Reggae Sumfest, Montego Bay, Jamaica 
July 23 – 28

Thousands of reggae fans swarm the birthplace of reggae and the “Reggae Legend” Bob Marley of 4 fantastic nights of reggae, dancehall and other Jamaican genres of music. This reggae music festival has been joined by international megastars over the years like, Rihanna, Nicki Minaj, LL Cool J, Sean Paul, Mary J. Blige, Shaggy just to name a few. These festivals are known to go on all night and continue way past sunrise, it’s more popular nights are International Night and Reggae Night it also has an All White Party and a Beach Party. Reggae Sumfest is the only place where you can experience the feeling of being relaxed and chilled at the same time.

Trinidad Carnival: Port of Spain, Trinidad
September 15 – 29

Though New Orleans makes a strong case, Trinidad and Tobago host the best carnivals in the world. Many other Caribbean islands try to replicate by hosting their own carnivals but Trinidad is still the big daddy. Over 50,000 locals take to the streets, dressed up as devils, monsters, demons bathed in mud, oil, chocolate while others dress in skimpy feathery costumes grating to soca music. Throughout the event groups host JOuverts and fetes with steel drums and calypso music.

Cropover, Barbados 
July – August (exact dates TBA)

Crop Over is a critical part of Barbadian’s calendar. This spirited, celebration has been a tradition dating back o the 19th century when plantation works broke out in exultation after the crop harvest has ended. Nowadays the festival represents concurrent Barbadians, a modern fusion of squawky rum-fueled events, children’s pageant climaxing in a rollicking by crazy party animals through the streets of Bridgetown, on Kadooment Day. Cropover in Barbados is the summertime alternative to Trinidad’s Carnival with equivalent amounts of soca and calypso.

Dream Weekend, Negril, Jamaica 
Final Week of July to August

If you are more of a party enthusiast than a stage performance lover, you should consider Dream Weekend in Negril Jamaica. This event takes place during the countries’ Emancipation Day holiday, one week filled with non-stop water and beach parties, with unlimited liquor gives tourists traveling to Jamaica’s west coast the license to party like crazy and have fun. The event also includes a host of parties featuring international artists.

Jazz and Blues Festival, Jamaica
January 29 - 31

The Jazz and Blues Festival, held in the Trelawny Stadium Jamaica has become a firm favorite on the International Jazz event scene, and it lures tourist from all over the world each year. The art of sweet Jazz and Blues music sets the stadium a light for the straight nights. The event also features a lot of big international acts, most recently featuring Mariah Carey.

Junkanoo, Bahamas 
December 26

The day after Christmas, while everyone around the world is tucked away in their beds high on sherry or turkey, Bahamians flock the streets of Nassau for their annual Junkanoo Festival. There is a Junkanoo festival held in other months, like May 7-9th and also a summer Junkanoo Festival during June and July, but the real dates are on the Legendary Boxing Day and New Year’s Day in downtown Nassau. The event is quite the spectacle to behold, vivacious dancers take to the streets dressed in colorful feathery costumes, supported by musicians playing horns, whistles and goatskin drums.

St. Patrick's Day, Monserrat
March 17

The tiny Island os Montserrat ay be the last place that you would have expected to see Leprechauns frolicking about the streets, but the Island hosts one of the Caribbean’s largest St. Patrick’s Day event. Immigrants from Ireland left a lasting mark on the small Island. Islanders dressed in animated top hats and tails dance and skip to the sounds of drums and fife. You may have thought you've had some great experiences of St. Patrick’s Day celebration, but Montserrat takes it to a whole new level.

Britjam, Montego Bay, Jamaica
March 11-18

The annual event includes ten fun-filled parties, jam packed in seven days, each of which has its own theme. The parties are hosted in Montego Bay, generally in the middle of March. Party themes include a lingerie party, beach parties, 90’s Party, All white party, Pyjama Parties, Water Parties, lots of parties, packed int the Montego Bay nightclubs, raving to the Islands hottest DJs. If you are a hard hitter, you could buy the season pass to all ten parties.

Mocha Fest, Negril Jamaica
May 25th - 30th

Mocha Fest is a destination party event that takes place every year over the Memorial Day weekend that mostly caters for urban adult partygoers, hosted at Hedonism II in Negril Jamaica.It is more than safe to say, in only its  3rd year, Mocha Fest is probably the best thing happening anywhere in the world over the Memorial Day Long Weekend. For six days and five nights, you get to party at one of the most notorious adults only playground in the world, Hedonism II, enjoying non-stop parties, day and night, all inclusive premium alcohol, sexy open minded people, and great urban entertainment. If that does not sound like an amazing experience to you, I am not sure what else is.  Mocha Fest will be once again hosted at Hedonism II for the fourth year, from May 25th - 30th 2017.

St. Kitts Music Festival
June 25 – 27

St. Kitts is the home to one of the Caribbean,s most awesome annual music festival. Party goers have praised the natural beauty of the island as being the ideal destination for a fun-filled three-day music festival. The festival includes traditional calypso and soca musicians along with other international stars, most recently Kelly Rowland. The festival includes other activities such as tasty West Indian meals being served up on a festival campsite at the Warner Park, whatever the line-up is for the next summer it will surely be an absolute highlight of the season.