Feature

In the Caribbean an excuse is rarely needed to put on some music, have a drink and dance with abandon. But when the big festivals come around, the party takes on a whole new magnitude. Here are five of the Caribbean’s best booming, booty-shaking, bottle-clutching celebrations.

Junkanoo

Where? Nassau, New Providence Island, Bahamas

When? Boxing Day and New Year’s Day

While most of the world is safely tucked in bed sleeping off a sherry and turkey overdose, Bahamians are taking to the streets in the most garish costumes imaginable. The first Junkanoo takes place in the early hours of Boxing Day morning and anyone staying near the parade route can forget about getting any shut-eye.

For hours, different crews – family or community groups that can number nearly a thousand - dance through the streets to the cacophonous sound of Goombay music. They’re all in loose procession, all clad in ludicrously flamboyant gear with many clutching bottles of rum.

There are prizes available for the best crews, and preparation is taken incredibly seriously. A crew can take months sorting their costumes out.

More information: www.junkanoo.com

Trinidad Carnival

Where? Port of Spain, Trinidad

When? Two days before Ash Wednesday (either February or March)

Many Caribbean islands have their own version of the Carnival – the one in Sint Maarten at the start of May is another great party, for example – but Trinidad’s is the daddy. It’s by far the biggest in the region, and for lovers of steel bands, calypso or soca, it’s heaven.

The Trini Carnival is not just one big parade. There are launches, where the ‘mas bands’ unveil their costumes; there are fetes which are essentially giant outdoor parties run by various companies and institutions; there are panyards and calypso tents where the dirty dancing takes place.

It’s not a locals-only affair. Visitors can buy a costume (be warned – it won’t leave much to the imagination) and join a mas band if they wish.

More information: www.gotrinidadandtobago.com

Reggae Sumfest

Where? Montego Bay, Jamaica

When? Mid-July

It’s only proper that the birthplace of reggae has a week-long festival devoted to it. Imagine Glastonbury lasting for a week, take away the mud and concentrate on only one form of music and you’re just about there. Just about anyone who’s anyone in the world of reggae will be on stage on at least one night, while the beach party on the opening Sunday sets the tone. If you didn’t think it was possible to be chilled and animated at the same time, then here’s the proof that it happens.

More information: www.reggaesumfest.com

Crop Over

Where? Barbados

When? July/ August

A ceremony designed to celebrate the harvesting of the sugar crop has been turned into an excuse for a five week long party.

It all starts with the last of the season’s cane being delivered and the crowning of the most productive cane cutters as Crop Over King and Queen. This happens in the National Stadium at the end of a rowdy parade, and is followed up with an all night session.

Over 24 days of markets, concerts and heavy drinking, it then builds up to the Grand Kadooment. This involves another parade, bands and floats everywhere and, for visitors, the high chance of being swept up in it. Just accept the rum punch and go with the flow.

More information: www.barbados.org/cropover.htm

Pirates Week

Where? The Cayman Islands

When? Mid-November

In a more family-friendly alternative to the hedonism, drinking, bumping and grinding at other festivals, the Cayman Islands celebrates the bloodthirsty thieves of the sea.

Luckily, there’s no plank-walking or scourging – it’s all good clean fun with sporting events, parades, costume competitions and food festivals part of the mix.

It all kicks off with a ‘surprise’ pirate landing at George Town Harbour – two old-school sailing ships full of locals in pirate garb rock up in a blaze of arrrrrrrrrrs and squawking parrots.

The last Saturday is the big day – it features the Trial of the Pirates, the Street Dance Finale and the inevitably doomed Cardboard Boat Race.

More information: www.piratesweekfestival.com

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About the writer

Since winning the Guardian Student Travel Writer of the Year award in 2001, David has been published in newspapers and magazines across the world, including the Sunday Times, Sydney Morning Herald and the Boston Globe.