A Guide to Saint Lucia Carnival: The Region’s Most Vibrant Carnival this Summer

If you’re looking for a Carnival that has fun, sun, creativity and culture all in a stunning setting then Saint Lucia is for you.

The Saint Lucia Carnival runs from 1^st-18^th July. If you want to be in Saint Lucia for the biggest festivities from 11^th-18^th July, then plan your holiday around these dates. There are national events and fetes (ticketed parties) organized in the countdown to the Parade days on 17th and 18th July which mark the culmination of the Carnival.

You’ll hear music everywhere from steel pans, drums, Calypso and Soca with people taking to the streets to dance. There are national competitions to select a Groovy, Power and Calypso Monarch champion as well as Steel Pan.

Here is our guide to the Saint Lucia Carnival along with tips on the best parties and things to do, see, eat and drink when you want to ease up on the revelry.

Carnival Events:

The main events take place in the north, in Castries and Gros Islet. Many of the districts around Saint Lucia also have their own community carnivals in the weeks leading up to the National Parade which offer a more affordable and intimate option for revelers.

The most colorful elements of Saint Lucia Carnival are the costumes. If you want to take part in the National Parade, there are two days when locals and visitors can join a band (17^th and 18^th July). When you join in, this is also called ‘playing mas’ and you can choose the section that you jump with. Each band has a theme which comes to life in the costumes with different colors, patterns, gems and feathers. The King and Queen of the mas bands can be easily spotted with their 30 ft high costumes as they lead the bands in the streets.

There are 7 main bands:

Just 4 Fun
Fuzion Mas
Legends Carnival Band
Tribe of Twel
Red Unlimited
Xuvo
Island Tribe

Bands like Legends, Fuzion and Just 4 Fun have a mix of locals and visitors, regulars and first-timers so there is a place for everyone. Legends is a premium band and has been going for seven years. Their 2023 theme is ‘The Essence of Time’ celebrating the heritage of Saint Lucia and life today. Xuvo is celebrating Alice in Wonderland with ‘Down the Rabbit Hole’ as their theme and Fuzion’s look and feel for 2023 honors the music of Carnival with Fuzion FM. Tribe of Twel usually has more modestly covered costumes if preferrable.

It’s a good idea to register early so that your costume can be measured and made. You’ll also get an ID wrist band to wear so that you’re officially part of the event. The cost of joining a band includes your costume, unlimited food and drinks and security during the parade, mobile comfort stations and some fetes. Depending on the band and the section of your costume, you may get tickets to other events. Registration is via the band website.

You can also have a great time as part of the crowds lining the streets to watch the parades. Look out for all the different country flags to see how far some visitors have come. No tickets needed.

Fetes:

Fetes are essentially parties that are planned across the Carnival period. They take place in the days or evenings. The fetes vary in prices and offerings but all feature brilliant Soca artists including some stars from across the region.

Some highlights include:

Escape: Promoter, Just 4 Fun. This is an all-inclusive event that provides food and drinks for party goers, in a garden with an amazing view overlooking Rodney Bay. Tickets are generally more expensive than that of other events, but the ambiance, music and vibe, make it worth it. This is a day time party from 2 – 10pm.
Breakfast Fete: Promoter, Just 4 Fun. Similar to Escape but held at Pigeon Island. This is a breakfast event from 6-11 am with local and international DJs and artists.
Brazen: This is an evening beach party held on Pigeon Island beach. Dress code is swimwear.
Color Me Red: Promoter, Red Unlimited. This is an evening concert style party which features local and international Soca artists from around the Caribbean.

You could also go to a J’ouvert (day-break) party where everyone gets covered with colourful paint, chocolate and water so it gets messy! They take place during the early hours of the morning into sunrise.

For more information on how to book tickets visit https://carnivalsaintlucia.com/

What to bring:

If you’re planning to enjoy the revelry from the side bring cash, sunscreen, a hat, umbrella and comfortable shoes. Consider bringing a lounge chair and find a shaded spot next to a food stall along the route to enjoy the day’s festivities. You don’t need to bring your own food and drink as there are approved vendors, but you can bring a cooler of drinks if you’d prefer. Leave your valuables at home or at your accommodation.

Around Saint Lucia:

At only 27 miles long and 14 miles wide, fringed with soft sandy beaches with a rainforest at the centre, it’s easy to get around. There are plenty of brilliant things to see and do in Saint Lucia. Here’s just a few suggestions:

Sapphire Falls: Saint Lucia is a nature lover’s dream and this is one of many spots to enjoy. Hidden next to the popular Sulphur Springs is the quieter spot of Sapphire Falls and Jungle Spa. Take a gentle hike down to the secluded mud baths, warm mineral pools and waterfalls. The volcanic mud and minerals are a tonic for your skin and will sooth aching muscles from partying. https://stluciaecoadventures.com/
Kayak on the Bay: This new experience is situated within Praslin Bay on the east coast of Saint Lucia, surrounded by Mangrove with a sandbar running two miles down the Bay making it perfect for paddling. There is an islet along the way where guests can stop for a barbecue lunch. It’s also home to the Whiptail and other birds so it's good for bird watching too. All tours are with a guide and include a look at the sea moss farms (how it's planted, cultivated, harvested and dried) and then you can sample it. Allow three hours for the experience. Contact Kayak on the Bay at https://www.instagram.com/kayakonthebay/?hl=en
Bamboo Rafting: This new Roseau river rafting experience in the north of Saint Lucia offers guests the opportunity to glide along one of Saint Lucia’s largest and longest waterways. Along the journey you’ll see birds, butterflies and other small wildlife in the most idyllic rainforest setting. There are different experiences to book such as the Deluxe, the Rum and River Raft which includes a tour of the distillery and finally, Romancing the River which includes champagne and lunch on board. https://stluciabamboorafting.com/
Make your own chocolate: Cocoa is widely grown in Saint Lucia and it's where Hotel Chocolat has its cocoa farm. Visit Rabot Hotel from Hotel Chocolat to try the bean-to-bar experience called Project Chocolat. You can also stay at the luxury eco-resort or enjoy a meal at the restaurant. https://www.hotelchocolat.com/uk/rabothotel.html
Climb Gros Piton: Whether you are a beginner or experienced hiker, this is a great experience. The Pitons are iconic peaks in the south of Saint Lucia. The first half of the nature trail from Fond Gen Libre is an easy hike, while the second half is more challenging with a steep ascent to the summit of Gros Piton. When you get to the summit, you’ll get a spectacular view of St. Vincent to the South and Martinique to the North. It takes around four hours and the trek must be completed with a guide. http://soufrierefoundation.org/gros-piton-nature-trail

Where to Eat:

Saint Lucian restaurants offer an eclectic mix of African, American, European, Indian, and Caribbean cuisine. From hearty stews to fresh seafood dishes, healthy options and farm-to-table experiences, the food is second to none. Look out for variations of the national dish of green figs and salt fish.

Some of our top recommendations are:

Orlando’s – Orlando, a Birmingham chef of Jamaican and Barbadian extraction, has a restaurant in Soufriere. The menu retains Caribbean traditions while reconstructing recipes.
Jambe du Bois – this laid back bar and eatery has a superb location right on the beach at Pigeon Island. Enjoy the freshly made rotis, salads and sandwiches while enjoying the view. Check out the local art displayed on the walls too.
Naked Fisherman – A relaxed beach bar and grill that is part of the luxury boutique hotel Cap Maison. Located in one of the coves on the north west coast, it serves up fresh seafood dishes and delicious cocktails. You can also relax in the sun after lunch!
Golden Taste – a popular local restaurant near the waterfront in Gros Islet, it serves around a dozen dishes. All beautifully cooked and a friendly, laid-back atmosphere.