Caribbean Festivals Show Island Culture
Cold winters mean many travelers head to the Caribbean for a
break from the snow and ice, but freezing temperatures aren't
the only reason to stop in on these islands. No matter what your
interests are, you're sure to find something to do in the
islands year-round, particularly when you consider the many
delightful festivals that take place on the isles.
Carnival Events
The best-known Caribbean festival is Carnival, which is
sometimes spelled "Carnaval." Many islands celebrate this annual
event just before Ash Wednesday, but the dates do vary from
island to island. This event is generally an island-wide party,
so while some parents with younger children may not consider
Carnival the most appropriate festival, those interested in
experiencing a genuine slice of island culture will usually
enjoy this event.
These traditional Carnival dates are followed throughout much of
the Dutch and French Antilles: Aruba, Bonaire, Cura�ao,
Guadeloupe, Martinique, St. Barthelemy, and Saint Martin - but
not Sint Maarten. The Dominican Republic, Dominica, Montserrat,
Puerto Rico, Cuba, and Trinidad and Tobago also share these
Carnival dates.
In Sint Maarten, the Cayman Islands, Haiti, and Jamaica,
Carnival falls directly during Easter week, while those in Cuba,
the Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico continue their
celebrations from the week before into Easter itself.
Vacationers can enjoy Carnival on St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin
Islands toward the end of April.
With Sint Eustatius (also known as Statia), St. Lucia, and
Antigua and Barbuda travelers can take part in the festivities
of a Caribbean Carnival in July. Grenada's Carnival falls in
August while St. Kitts' is celebrated for a week beginning on
Christmas Eve.
Each island has its own style of celebration, but one thing you
can be sure to find is a distinct expression of an island's
culture. Carnival is particularly known for its festivities
filled with colorful and traditional characters from island
lore. Often, a king and queen are named for the event and,
though all Carnival celebrations include music, on some islands
musicians vie for competitive titles. If you're looking for a
sure way to see and hear the best the islands have to offer,
Carnival is one cultural event you shouldn't miss.
Mass Music
Music may be required for Carnival celebrations, but it is also
something islanders take particular pride in. Islands often host
annual festivals featuring the cream of the crop in reggae,
jazz, soca, and more. With so many music festivals in the
region, it's easy to find one year-round.
One of the most popular festivals in the Caribbean, the Barbados
Jazz Festival is called "Paint it Jazz." The event is generally
held early in the year, around the middle of January, which is
the same month a different type of crowd comes to the U.S.
Virgin Islands for the St. Croix Blues and Heritage Festival.
Travelers can enjoy Jamaican styles at the Negril Music Festival
the following month.
In May, the sounds of jazz are everywhere. Cura�ao's KLM Jazz
Festival happens early in the month, but mid-month the St. Lucia
International Jazz Festival opens its
doors. At the end of May,
those who like jazz can also stop in at the Jazz Festival on
Antigua or visit Puerto Rico for the Heineken Jazz Festival.
Sample something different in June at the St. Kitts Music
Festival, or enjoy Jamaican jazz at the Ocho Rios Jazz Festival.
Those who enjoy reggae may also want to be on the island in late
July or early August for the Reggae Sumfest. Latin dance fans
also have something to look forward to in July, when the
Dominican Republic hosts the Merengue Festival.
Cura�ao invites travelers to experience jazz again at the
Cura�ao Jazz Festival in early October, but those who would like
to stop in the Dominican Republic can also enjoy the Annual Jazz
Festival early in the month. While Jamaica kicks things off in
November with the Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival, Trinidad
is host to the Pan Jazz Festival mid-month.
Those who like music, particularly jazz, will always find it in
the Caribbean, but a music festival in these islands is a unique
experience. Throughout the Caribbean you'll find these and
plenty more musical festivals to enjoy each year.
Local Socials
While some loves and festivals, like music and Carnival, are
shared throughout the Caribbean region, each island has its own
unique festivals as well. These many include Independence Day or
the celebration of a ruler's birth, there are some traditional
festivals that differ among the islands. Of course, most islands
host plenty of local festivals, but some of the most famous
parties include the following:
*Reggae lovers will find plenty to enjoy on the island of
Jamaica around January 6th, when Reggae Sunsplash coincides with
the Bob Marley Birthday Bash.
*Puerto Rico celebrates its agriculture with a Coffee Harvest
Festival for its popular mountain brew. You can celebrate
alongside the locals in mid-February.
*Pirates Week is a popular time to enjoy the Cayman Islands,
especially for the young at heart, while the islands celebrate
their history. Pirates come to the spotlight alongside the
islands' seafaring past during the last week of October.
*The nautically inclined can also enjoy Antigua Sailing Week at
the end of April. This popular celebration has included as many
as 1,500 participants, with 5,000 onlookers watching some of the
world's top sailors.
*Historically, Barbadian field workers celebrated the end of the
growing season in July or early August, and this tradition has
carried forward in the form of Barbados' Crop Over Festival, one
of the best-known Caribbean events.
No matter when you're planning a trip to the islands, you're
sure to encounter a culture with a cause for celebration. On
some islands, towns each have their own local festivals and
events, while on others you may find commonly celebrated
Caribbean pastimes. Either way, celebrations are a fun way to
round out any trip to the Caribbean.
About the author:
Jennifer Smith writes for StLucia-Guide.info, Jamaica-Guide.info, and
other Segisys travel Web sites.
� 2005, Interactive Internet Websites, Inc. Article may only be
reprinted if it is not modified in any way, and if all links
remain live.
Written by: Jennifer Smith
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