Known as the second largest carnival only to Brazil, full of colourful costumes, non-stop rum and exciting happy music, how could one not want to attend?<\/strong><\/p>\n

For all you soca music fans, Trinidad and Tobago (T&T)\u2019s Carnival is the place to be to get that full-on experience that you having been searching at other\u00a0festivals! For the carnival virgins, download some soca music, start dancing in your room and get excited, as this festival is a once in a lifetime event that cannot be missed!<\/p>\n

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Carnival \u2013 What it is all about?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Carnival was introduced to T&T during the late 18^{th<\/sup> century by the French who would parade down the streets for the two days preceding Ash Wednesday, which is the start of Lent (i.e. 40 days before Easter). These are known as the last two days before one must give up something they truly desire \u2013 so Why not throw a crazy party? This tradition was parallel by the African slaves whom eventually turned this celebration into one of the greatest festivals of all time. Those of African descendants influenced the music, the costumes and large number of events to occur during the \u201cCarnival season\u201d.<\/p>\n}

Carnival season usually starts a month before the actual street parade where one can partake in music competitions for pan, calypso, soca and chutney as well as costume competitions such as Kings and Queens as well as Kiddies Carnival. The atmosphere is pulsating with positive energy and loud music. It is quite difficult to escape.<\/p>\n

I will take you through the process of how one organizes \u201ccostumes\u201d which are basically your tickets to enter this amazing street\/ road festival.<\/p>\n

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Costumes – Tickets<\/strong><\/p>\n

Start your journey to Trinidad Carnival by securing your costume in one of the many band available.<\/p>\n

Why buy a costume, can I not just make my own?<\/p>\n

If only this was the case! But unfortunately no you cannot do this. Think of your costume as a ticket to entering a festival. Carnival is a competition of the various bands of masqueraders in beautifully hand decorated costumes competing to win the best band of the year. Carnival Bands come in all sizes. The largest and more up-beat bands are: Harts,<\/a> Tribe<\/a>, Bliss<\/a>, Fantasy<\/a>, Island People<\/a>, Trini Revellers<\/a>!<\/p>\n

As the theme of each band changes annually, the costumes change the same. Once you buy your costume, you will receive wrist bands that allow you enter the band within a secured area on the streets in which the bands roams and the revellers “chip down d road”.<\/p>\n

During the summer months of July and August, these Carnival Bands have \u201cband launches\u201d to display the new costumes for the upcoming year. Within a few days of the band launch, the costumes become available to purchase the \u201cBand House\u201d or online. Therefore you need to determine which band you will play with at least 6 months in advance. Costumes can sell out within days after up the event but I recommend buying as soon as they are available (by July\/August).<\/p>\n

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Getting there & Accommodation<\/strong><\/p>\n

Flights – Once you book your costume, I would recommend booking your flight! You can direct flights to T&T from London, Frankfurt, New York, Miami, Orlando, Houston, Toronto and many Caribbean islands. Key airlines to look into include Caribbean Airlines, Liat, British Airways, American Airlines, Jetblue, WestJet, Condor etc. For more listing on flights check here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Accommodation \u2013 If you are a large group, I would recommend renting an apartment in Port of Spain on airbnb or tripadvisor. Top hotels in Port of Spain include the Hyatt ($$$), Hilton ($$), Carlton Savannah ($$), Radisson ($$) and Mariott ($$).<\/p>\n

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The Event<\/strong><\/p>\n

Listen to Soca Music<\/p>\n

You will hear Soca non-stop once you arrive in T&T around Carnival time so it is best to catch up on the best tunes of the season. One way to do that is to search carnival soca music on youtube or look out for DJ mixes online such as DJ Private Ryan or DJ Marcus Williams or DJ Nick Pena. Top soca artists include Machel Montano, Kes, Bunji Garlin & Fayann Lyons, Destra and many more.<\/p>\n

Pre-Carnival Activities<\/p>\n

Book your trip to T&T a couple days before the Carnival Event so that you have time to visit Carnival pre-parties, pan yards or relax in the sun to get that tan beforehand! Carnival schedule is updated one month before the event at Trinidad Carnival Diary<\/a> \u2013 have a look around December and it ought to be online!<\/p>\n

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Key Essentials for the Ladies<\/p>\n

Not only do you have to buy a costume for Carnival, but a popular new tradition is to buy another costume to wear on the Monday. This is called \u201cMondayWear\u201d \u2013 it usually consist of a monokini that is decorated lightly with beads and feathers. Other recommendations include buying boots (with dr schools insols) for true comfort on the road, accessories such as necklaces, bracelets, earrings, earcuffs and of course glitter and diamontes for your face. Many ladies book make-up, hair and even spray tan appointments months in advance to ensure they look perfect on the day, even if it means waking up at 4am.<\/p>\n

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Carnival Monday<\/strong><\/p>\n

J\u2019ouvert (Optional but worth it)<\/strong><\/p>\n

It starts at 3am where you arrive in Port of Spain with an old pair of clothes and sneakers to parade in the streets until sunrise where you will be covered in mud, paint, powder or cocoa powder. Organize your J\u2019ouvert package from numerous bands that specialize in this unique activity. The big bands include Red Ants, Cocoa Devils, Fantasy, Simply J\u2019ouvert etc. If you are playing carnival, best not to take a nap and go straight through until Carnival if you can handle it!<\/p>\n

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The bands usually start around 11am in Port of Spain. If you are driving, go early to get a good parking spot near to where you band finishes for the day. A safe and reliable spot to park is St. Clair. Pack a little bag with essentials such as phone, id, cash, makeup, sunscreen and camera! Your band will provide you with food and drinks but take your time as the sun is hot and there may be not shade for hours at a time. Enjoy yourself and don\u2019t go too hard as remember you have another 24 hours of partying to go!<\/p>\n

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Carnival Tuesday<\/strong><\/p>\n

The bands start much earlier than Monday and everyone is in their full costume. It is quite the sight especially at the stage where the costumes come together to present a show to the numerous judges determing who has designed the most awe-inspiring costumes for that year! It is a long day and there is even after parties in secret locations for selected bands. Have a great time and don\u2019t stop dancing!<\/p>\n

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Post Carnival<\/strong><\/p>\n

A Carnival cooldown in Tobago for the following few days to relax those poor feet and burnt out bodies. Book your flights or boat across to Tobago at least two months in advance to ensure you get a spot as this is top post carnival activity!<\/p>\n

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Carnival Newbies<\/strong><\/p>\n

Grab your friends,\u00a0Buy some costumes, Book your flights and get some good dancing shoes as this is a once in a lifetime experience!<\/p>\n

Check out \u201cTrinidad-Eat, Stay, Do\u201d and \u201cTobago \u2013 Eat, Stay, Do\u201d for more information on the best places to stay, the best places to eat and top activities to do in this beautiful sister isle nation.<\/p>\n

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