Summary
Carnival
Carnival dominates Trinidad and Tobago’s annual events calendar for months leading up to its pre-Lenten peak of week-long madness. Therefore, visiting during January to March guarantees a taste of this remarkable Carnival experience. Moreover, Easter week is known for goat races in Tobago, and the island’s rich cultural diversity is celebrated during Heritage Week. Unique to the Caribbean, T&T’s expansive Divali festival highlights the traditions of its Indian population.
Trinis are passionate about Carnival: when they are not creating costumes or engaging in the exciting weeks leading up to Lent, they are frequently planning for the next year’s festivities. While Carnival is celebrated across Trinidad and Tobago, the central event takes place in Port of Spain. This is the largest and most vibrant Carnival celebration in the Caribbean, and arguably, one of the best globally. Unlike Carnival in Rio, Trinidad Carnival invites everyone to participate, including joining the costumed “road marches” and swaying to the melodies of indigenous soca and calypso music.
Divali
With more than a third of Trinidad & Tobago’s population tracing their roots to India, the Hindu celebration of light, Divali (or Diwali), is a cherished tradition. Celebrated during October and November, Divali is highlighted by a five-day festival featuring the lighting of lamps filled with coconut oil to welcome Lakshmi Mata, the goddess of light. The zenith of this family-oriented religious festival, known as Divali Night, features stunning light displays (deeyaas), singing, and Indian cuisine predominant in East Indian communities, notably in Felicity, Chaguanas.
Tobago Heritage Festival
The Tobago Heritage Festival kicks off in mid-July, culminating on Emancipation Day, August 1, with a vibrant Carnival-style j’ouvert celebration. This festival primarily showcases African music, dance, and traditions, featuring a mock traditional wedding ceremony in Moriah that honors the blend of African and European customs. Tourists and locals alike are welcome to join in the wedding procession!
Santa Rosa Carib Festival
Taking place in August during the week before Trinidad and Tobago’s Independence Day on August 31, the Santa Rosa Carib Festival honors the indigenous First Peoples who inhabited the islands for thousands of years before European arrival. This vibrant celebration features the crowning of a Carib Queen, a church procession, and traditional music performances, along with ritual smoke ceremonies and prayers.
Tobago Jazz Experience
The Tobago Jazz Experience is a week-long international music festival held every April, showcasing renowned headliners like John Legend, Brandy, and Earth, Wind & Fire on Tobago’s scenic beaches, including the famed Pigeon Point. Apart from jazz, attendees will enjoy soca and reggae, indulge in local delicacies such as dirt oven bread, and experience the renowned Buccoo goat races on Easter Tuesday.
Trinidad and Tobago Film Festival
Although the summer blockbuster season may have ended, the cinematic excitement begins in September with the Trinidad and Tobago Film Festival. This annual event showcases Caribbean cinema alongside international feature films, short films, and documentaries. Additionally, it includes free screenings and panel discussions, enriching the cultural landscape of film in the region.
Blue Food Festival
Many may not realize that blue food is not merely a sci-fi concept stirred up by old Star Trek episodes. Dasheen, a Caribbean root vegetable that turns a striking blue when cooked, is the star of Tobago’s Blue Food Festival, which occurs every October. This delightful festival features culinary demonstrations and competitions with local chefs who create an array of delicious azure dasheen dishes that visitors can enjoy without guilt, as dasheen is low in sodium and gluten-free.
