If you are looking for a festival in 2023, you might be interested in visiting the Caribbean. The region is famed for its colourful and vibrant festivals. Whether you’re a famous person like Michael Jackson or Samuel Egbuson, you’ll have a great time. Here is our round up of Caribbean festivals in 2023.
Caribbean Festivals in February
Barranquilla Carnival 2023, Colombia
We start on the Caribbean coast of South America where the Barranquilla Carnival is rated as the second largest carnival in the world after Rio. In 2023 it will be held between 18 and 23 February. The carnival reflects the multiculturality of Colombia, with great Latin music, colourful parades, throwing of cornflour, and plenty of rum.
Trinidad Carnival, Port of Spain 2023
Though not as last as Rio and Barranquilla, theTrinidad Carnival benefits from being easier for people to participate in all the revellery. The carnival is held on the two days before Ash Wednesday, so on the 21 and 22 February 2023. Expect a wild mix of music from soca to steel pan and calypso as well as plenty of rum.
Festivals in Caribbean in May
Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival, 2023
Sting and Shaggy will headline the Saint Lucia Jazz and Arts Festival, the leading jazz festival in the region held on the lovely Carribean island from 5 to 14 May, 2023. Alongside the jazz festival which features national, internatonal and regional performers is the arts festival highlighting the island’s creativity.
Romerias de Mayo, Holguin, Cuba, 2023
Held in the first week of May, Romerias de Mayo is a week of colourful parades, as well as a range of music from traditional Cuban to Jaz and acoustic. One of the largest festivals in Cuba, it commenced as a Catholic ceremony in 1790 but has evolved into an inclusive carnival atmosphere free street party.
Caribbean Festivals in July to August
Anguilla Summer Festival 2023
Held in late July to early August, in 2023 the ten-day Anguilla Summer Festival is scheduled around the first Monday in August which is known as Emancipation Day. Expect music parades, boat races, beach parties, soca music and great food and rum. Anguilla has more than 30 white sand beaches and the party revolves around here and the water.
Barbados Crop Over Festival 2023
The first of our two festivals in Barbados, the Barbados Crop Over Fest started in the 1780s to mark the end of the sugar cane cutting season. The carnivals are spread over three months concluding with the Grand Kadooment, held on the first Monday of August, so that makes it the 7 August 2023. Expect carnivals, parades, great music and loads of rum – especially as the sun rises!
Festivals in the Caribbean in October
Barbados Food and Rum Festival 2023, Bridgetown
The second of our festivals in Barbados is held at the end of October just before the start of the main tourism season. Barbados Food and Rum Festival is arguably the premier Caribbean food festival, with top chefs from around the world joining in food destinations around the island. A highlight of the festival is Rise and Rum held on the island’s Copacabana beach where you can wake up with some rum as the sun rises – a remarkable experience.
Limon Carnival Costa Rica 2023
Held in the Caribbean town of Puerto Limon around Culture Day (Dia de las Culturas) on 12 October each year, the Limon Carnival is the biggest street party in Costa Rica. Smaller in scale than other Caribbean festivals the Limon Carnival will involve parade and floats, lots of colourful costumes and fireworks in addition to calypso and reggae music. As for food enjoy the patis (patties) and salsa caribeana fish stew. Bit beware, just like the music, the food is spicy!
More Festivals in the Caribbean
This is just a sample of what the Caribbean has to offer in terms of festival. To discover more about the many Caribbean festivals, visit our Festivals section.