Once an annual event associated with the Catholic calendar and celebrated just before Lent, carnivals have now become more cultural festivals celebrated at various times during the year. Annually most islands continue the tradition of celebrating their own carnival in their unique way, and these centre around large street parties better known as “jump ups” or “fetes”, and include traditional music, dancing, floats and costumes.
 
TRINIDAD & TOBAGO CARNIVAL – February
The first carnival of the year and often termed as the mother of Caribbean carnivals, Trinidad & Tobago plays host to the oldest and largest carnival in the Caribbean region and many other parts of the world. These two sister islands are also the home of Calypso – the main form of music to accompany Caribbean carnivals. Although the main celebrations take place over two days, the carnival season takes place between January and Ash Wednesday each year and then culminates in the final two days of fetes commencing with J’ouvert on Monday morning and ending in masquerades and parades accompanied by the island’s biggest Calypso and Soca bands. Very few know how to party the way “Trini’s” party, so any visitor to Trinidad - the main island where carnival celebrations take place each year - are sure to have a memorable stay. Then to wind down after your eventful week of partying, why not spend a few days on sister island Tobago where you can enjoy a few days of rest and relaxation before returning home.
Packages and details will be available later in the year for 2008 festival.
 
ST LUCIA CARNIVAL – July
The island’s carnival season launches during the month of June and like many of its neighbouring islands, will include weeks of Calypso, Steel band, King and Queen competitions. The main event will take place on the Monday and Tuesday in the Parade of the Bands. In 2007 this takes place on 16-17 July.
Hotel Package – stay at the island’s newest beachfront resort in the heart of RodneyBay. Costs based on Excel Airlines flights, 7 nights stay room only basis at Bay Gardens Resort including airport transfers - £730 per person based on 2 travelling from 15-22 July.
 
ANTIGUA CARNIVAL – July/August
One of the biggest events on the summer calendar for Antigua, carnival season commences around the middle of July and builds up to an exciting finale early in August with the highlight of the event, J'Ouvert, which takes place in the early hours of the last Monday morning and concludes with the parade of the troupes and “Last Lap” headed up by Antigua’s biggest bands like Burning Flames, Onyan and El A Kru. However 2007 will see the most spectacular of carnivals ever hosted on the island as Antigua celebrates its Golden Jubilee Carnival – celebrating 50 years of carnival. Events will commence on 21 July-7 August 07and include Junior Calypso Monarch, Caribbean 5-A-side Pan competition, plus the traditional Calypso Monarch and Queen show competitions and a host of other events – all highlighting the development of carnival on the island over the years. Visitors to the island will have the opportunity to have a costume and join one of the many troupes “jumping up” during the final street parades on 6&7 August. Various hotels will participate in assisting visitors with this and Culsen Travel can also assist in organising this. For more information on this special carnival celebration see www.antiguacarnival.com.
Package includes Virgin Atlantic flights, 7 nights stay all inclusive at JollyBeach Resort including airport transfers: from 27 July-8 August – Total Cost for 2 persons sharing £1200 per person.
 
BARBADOS CROP OVER – July/August
Celebrating the final harvest of sugar cane, Crop Over takes place each summer (when the crop is over). The festival starts in July and takes place over five weeks and mirrors many of the carnivals which take place on neighbouring islands. Calypso “Tents” compete as local Calypsonians battle it out for the title of Road March or Party Monarch and bands display their costumes during an elaborate show. But, the event culminates on the first Monday in August with Grand Kadooment, when the big parades takes place, and familiar Road March winners such as Krosfyah and Square One lead the processions which end at the famous “SpringGarden” Highway.
For groups travelling out together why not enjoy a Villa Package which includes return Excel Airlines flights, 8 persons sharing Innisfree Villa with Cook, Pool & Cabana on Sandy Lane Beach, including airport transfers travelling 3-10 August - Total Cost: £855 per person 

GRENADA CARNIVAL ‘SPICE MAS’ – August
Held on the second Monday and Tuesday in August, the island enjoys its two day finale after a preceding week of events which commence with the opening of Rainbow City Festival. Festivities which include steel band and calypso competitions. Revellers dance to the music performed by local bands and are entertained by the Jab Jab Molassi, wearing traditional devilish costumes and smeared with charcoal and engine oil. Carnival Monday ends with the Monday Night Mas' street jump-up which continues into the early hours of Tuesday morning. On Carnival Tuesday the bands and crowds take to the street again as they parade through St Georges, again to late into the night.
Package includes return Virgin Atlantic flights, 7 nights stay at Blue Horizons Cottage Hotel including airport transfers for 2 persons travelling from 9-16 August: Total Cost: £965 per person