5 Caribbean Carnivals You Can Still Make It To This Year

Spice Mas, Grenada If you haven't been to Grenada, you need to add it to your list… and soon. Affectionately known as the "Spice Island," it's only right that their annual carnival would be known as "Spice Mas." The most anticipated event of the year for locals and tourists alike, Spice Mas transforms the island of Grenada into a celebration like none other. Jab Jabs, which are unique to Grenadian culture, walk and dance through the streets wearing a horned headpiece covered in black oil to mark the celebration of Spice Mas. This masquerade takes place early Monday morning and goes through to Monday Night Mas where party goers in bright t-shirts wave light sticks and dance through the streets well into the night. The week climaxes with parades of the explosively colorful mas bands, calypso and soca competitions along with a frenzy of steel pan music. Want to feel the energy of Grenadian culture? At Spice Mas you'll feel it running through your veins.

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Crop Over, Barbados Rihanna isn't the only good thing to come out of Barbados. Its signature Crop Over Festival has made its mark on the Caribbean, and some say, even rivals that of the legendary Trinidad Carnival. The festival, which ends with the spectacular Carnival/Kadooment Parade, is the season used to celebrate the ending of the local Sugar Cane harvest. This in itself makes it distinctly unique from the Carnival festivities in other Caribbean countries. Additionally, local cultural characters mix with modern additions to give this festival a character unlike any other. While you may love to party and "jump the line," Crop Over gives you the opportunity to learn all aspects of Barbadian culture. A mixture of African survival heritage and Western modern culture is displayed through exhibitions of art, craft, music, and dance. Barbados' Crop Over events are varied with plenty of things to do for everyone's taste.

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Caribana, Toronto, Canada What has long been known as Caribana, is now referred to as the Scotiabank Caribbean Carnival. At the center of Toronto's melting pot, Caribbean descendants and enthusiasts hits the streets and stages for what's known as one of the biggest island-style celebrations in North America. This summer will mark the 47th year of the festival which features events that celebrate the music, cuisine and arts of the Caribbean region. Some of the highlights include the Caribana Grand Parade, Annual Gala and the tent villages. Known for drawing close to a million spectators in past years, the Caribbean Carnival is the largest cultural festival of its kind in North America.

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Vincy Mas, St. Vincent and the Grenadines Not familiar with Vincy Mas? Well, it's time to get familiar. St. Vincent's Carnival kicks off with an official launch in May, with carnival celebrations stretch all the way through to July. A mix between J'Ouvert and Mardi Gras, there is something for every party-goer at Vincy Mas. In addition to the street parties, there's also a wide range of events that are family friendly, such as the Miss SVG competition, the Soca Monarch Competition, Miss Carival, the Junior Pan Fest and so much more. Band of The Year is a much sought after prize by those competing and partying during the Mardi Gras Parade of Bands, a fabulously colorful bonanza of costumes, music and dance.

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Notting Hill Carnival - Visit London: Yes Yes, Notting Hill Carnival takes place every year on the Sunday and Monday of the UK summer bank holiday weekend, which is the last weekend in August. In 2017, the carnival is expected to take place on 27 and 28 August.