De vibes cyah done
World-class T20 cricketing action is in full swing at venues across the region for the Caribbean Premier League (through 21 September). In the penultimate weeks, cheering, flag-waving, and festive vibes move from the stands to the streets as the finals are hosted in Guyana, along with the exhilarating Cricket Carnival.
There’s even more music and merriment at the West Indian Day Parade in Brooklyn, New York (28 August–1 September), Belize Carnival (September), Japan Soca Weekend (19–23 September), Miami Carnival (4–12 October), and Tobago Carnival (24–26 October)!
Each year, a heritage village is selected for Guyana’s Amerindian Heritage Month (September), where festivities honouring Guyana’s nine Indigenous tribes — each with their own language — include food and craft exhibitions, a cultural extravaganza, sports and family day, Heritage Day (10 September) village celebrations, and the Amerindian Heritage Dinner.
Caribbean literature enthusiasts are always in for a treat at the Brooklyn Caribbean Lit Festival (5–7 September) and the Brooklyn Book Festival (14–22 September) in New York, while Mum & Me Production’s Minnesota 10,000 Lakes Meets Trinidad Carnival showcase (13 September) brings the energy of steelpan music and carnival to New York Fashion Week.
Theatre lovers, meanwhile, can enjoy the Shakespeare in Paradise Theatre Festival (28 September–11 October) in Nassau, The Bahamas. And film buffs won’t want to miss the Toronto International Film Festival (4–14 September), Trinidad & Tobago Film Festival (24–30 September), CaribbeanTales International Film Festival (3–13 September), New York Film Festival (through October), and BVI Film Festival (30 October–2 November), celebrating established and emerging filmmakers.
Challenge yourself against regional and international runners at the Nevis Marathon & Running Festival (6 September) in the 5K, 10K, half marathon, or full marathon events. This race day is family-friendly and perfect for every skill level.
Then, indulge in inspired meals — including flavourful signature dishes and cocktails — at Flavours of Martinique (9–21 September), Trinidad & Tobago Restaurant Week (26 September–5 October), Caesar’s Army’s Street X Food Festival (4–5 October in T&T), Taste of Bermuda (10 October), New York City Wine & Food Festival (15–19 October), Cayman Restaurant Month (October) and Cayman Cocktail Week (24–31 October).
From culinary creativity to other creative ventures, support the innovative products and services promoted at Expo Belize Market Place (13–14 September) and Buy BVI Trade Expo Tortola (19–20 September).
In St Lucia, explore the vast splendour of marine life beneath the surface at St Lucia Dive Fest (14–21 September). Meanwhile, anglers compete on the water at the St Lucia Bill Fish Tournament (30 September–4 October); horticulturalists flock to the La Marguerite Flower Festival (17 October); and Creole Heritage Month (October) preserves and showcases the island’s strong Creole culture and traditions.
In neighbouring Dominica, Kalinago Week (15–19 September) honours Indigenous culture through traditional ceremonies, educational programmes, debates, and pageants; while Creole Heritage Month (also October) celebrations reach a crescendo at the World Creole Music Festival (24–26 October), now in its 25th year!
Not to be outdone, the World Wellness Weekend (19–21 September) and Francis Nunes Jr Fishing Tournament & Seafood Festival (28 September) draw visitors to Antigua; while Curaçao PRIDE (26 September–5 October) celebrates the power of love with a range of festivities, from mixers to parades.
El Día Nacional de la Zalsa (5 October) celebrates Puerto Rico’s musical heritage and legendary salsa musicians in the mammoth Estadio Hiram Bithorn in San Juan’s Plaza de la Independencia; while adrenalin junkies can see 12,000lb trucks at Monster Jam (31 October–2 November) in the Coliseo de Puerto Rico.
The COCO Dance Festival of Conversations (through October) invites discussion around Caribbean dance, both online and at various venues in Trinidad, while those conversations and past performances from the COCO (the Contemporary Choreographers’ Collective)’s archives culminate with screenings the last week of October. Further north, the Dance Grenada festival (16–20 October) explores “Caribbean excellence: striving for more, disrupting the narrative”.
On 10 October, Suriname observes Maroon Heritage Day with a public holiday recognising the victory of the Maroons over Dutch colonists. A genuine sense of community is palpable among the diverse crowd enjoying dance, storytelling, music, and local cuisine.
Fun fact, Barbados has the highest number of centenarians per capita in the Caribbean. Could sweet music — including at the Barbados Jazz Excursion & Golf Weekend (10–13 October) — have anything to do with it?
Up north, the Bahamas Bonefishing Tournament Series (7–26 October) on Andros Island runs alongside the Murphy Coppice Fest (10–11 October) — the island’s only street festival. Then, on Grand Bahama, the McClean’s Town Conch Cracking Festival (13 October) features conch-themed dishes, a conch salad-eating competition, a spoon race, and plaiting of the Maypole.
Experience the Chinese Arrival Day Dragon Boat Festival (12 October) in Trinidad, then head over to Tobago for the Tobago Panorama Festival (18 October) and the Tobago Blue Food Festival (19 October) … and of course, Tobago Carnival (24–26)!
At the distinctive Scents of Grenada (17–19 October), explore Grenada’s beauty through the world of perfume and scent at the historic Tower Estate, while Grenada’s Dive & Conservation Festival (25–31 October) and the Carriacou Corn Festival (26 October) are must-dos!
Finally, Divali (20 October), the Hindu festival of light symbolising the triumph of good over evil, is celebrated in Guadeloupe, Guyana, Jamaica, Suriname, Trinidad & Tobago, and anywhere with a significant Hindu community. In Guyana, a vibrant and spectacular motorcade organised by the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha, and delicious seven-curry (a dish with seven different vegetarian curries) are popular elements of the festivities — as is decking off in the best traditional Indian wear, and wearing intricate henna designs.