Do you want to witness the biggest cultural and traditional display of Montserrat, then know other things can be better than the Montserrat Carnival for you? Celebrated annually, this is a multi-day cultural activity, which never fails to amuse people. This carnival intensifies the festivity of Christmas and New Year in Montserrat a million times more and creates a completely festive aura throughout its celebration days. The event is popular not just in Montserrat but in the whole world and attracts international tourists as well.
Today, let us tell you everything in detail about the festival.
History of Montserrat Carnival
Montserrat Carnival was celebrated for the first time in 1962 with the purpose to celebrate and promote Caribbean heritage and culture. Initially, the festival was just a celebration but, gradually, it started gaining popularity among local people and, today, it is popular worldwide. At first, only a certain group of people used to participate in the festival. However, it is the same no more. Today, people from all over the territory participate in the event to celebrate the carnival joyfully together.
How long does the festival last?
Montserrat Carnival is around a two-week long festival. The interesting thing is that despite having such a long duration, the festivity and celebration of the carnival are not at all decreased by the passing days. In fact, it gets only more and more exciting. The last few days of the festival are incredibly electrifying. The enthusiasm of participants and local people is really on another level.
When does Montserrat Carnival take place?
Every year, Montserrat Carnival starts in mid-December and lasts till New year’s day. Usually, the dates are also the same every year, from 17 December to 2nd January. However, the pre-activity and events start taking place from the beginning of December itself. The carnival officially starts in mid-December though.
Who participates in the Montserrat Carnival?
Obviously, it’s the local people who take the centre stage in the event. There is nothing as such that a foreigner can do in the event. However, as a spectator, you can enjoy every bit of the event and get a completely new cultural experience.
How is the Montserrat Carnival celebrated?
Actually, the festival is celebrated by participating in music shows, dance, road parades, and many other such activities. In fact, the carnival is packed with all Montserratian cultural and traditional activities such as Carol singing, colorful masquerades, energetic dance, calypso, pageants, private fetes, and street parades. People wear colorful traditional costumes, masks, accessories, and many other such things and get on the streets to celebrate the festival with utmost joy.
Montserrat Carnival 2022
In 2022, Montserrat Carnival is going to Mark its 60th edition. Yes, it has been 60 years since the carnival has been impressing to the worldwide people. Because of the covid 19, the festivity of the carnival was definitely affected in the last couple of years, but this year, it is going to be celebrated with more enthusiasm, zeal, and, of course, excitement.
When will the Montserrat Carnivals 2022 start?
As we already said, the Montserrat Carnival will take place from 17 December (Saturday) and continue till 2nd January (Monday). Yes, the same dates are this year too. However, the pre-activities of Montserrat Carnival 2022 will start on 3rd December. Means, they have already begun.
Schedule of Montserrat Carnival 2022
To understand better, have a look at the complete schedule of pre-activities as well as event activities of Montserrat Carnival 2022.
- Montserrat Carnival 2022 pre activities
Saturday, December 3
Calypso Eliminations
Monday, December 5
Willie Kinny – Great ’50 Years and Beyond Exhibition’ (Until December 9)
Tuesday, December 6
Regional Basketball Tournament (Until December 10)
Saturday, December 10
Female Calypso Competition
Montserrat Red Cross
Awards and Fundraising Dinner
Sunday, December 11
Domino Knock-Out Competition
Friday, December 16
Kenny B’s Birthday Bash
Nah Laugh Ent. Climax
- Montserrat Carnival 2022 main event
Saturday, December 17
Opening of Carnival
Calypso Semi-Finals
Sunday, December 18
Salem Reunion Opening
Monday, December 19
Salem Reunion Sports Day
Ground Breaking for Eco Play
Tuesday, December 20
Salem Reunion Business Crawl
COPE Awards and
Movie Premiere – Calypso, Love Nia
Emerald Community Singers
Wednesday, December 21
Nite of Pan
Thursday, December 22
Salem Reunion Family Day
The Art of Serenity-The Art Show
Miss Teen Montserrat 2022
Friday, December 23
Salem Reunion Hike & Bus Tour
Desert Storm Promotions
Road Show TAL
Imperial Ent Tipsy
Saturday, December 24
Salem Reunion Children’s Day
Igloo Fun Day & Fete
Sunday, December 25
Christmas Day
Carol Singing
Monday, December 26
Boxing Day
Street Jam
MMSA King of Corkhill
Soca Monarch
Tuesday, December 27
St. John’s Day Celebrations
Salem Reunion Banquet
Wednesday, December 28
Salem Day Celebration
Thursday, December 29
Calypso Monarch Competition
Friday, December 30
Regional Female
Calypso Competition
Chess Ent. Trouble Inna Di Camp
Saturday, December 31
Festival Day
Island Diva Mas Powdah
Children’s Fun Day
Immortal Promotions
Elegant Affair
Sunday, January 1
New Year’s Day
Monday, January 2
Street Parade & Closing of Carnival
So, this is the whole schedule of Montserrat Carnivals 2022. If you can’t attend the whole event, or you are interested in any particular activity, here you can have an overview of the schedule and attend it according to the availability of your time.
Other Montserrat cultural festivals to attend
It’s not just the Montserrat Carnival that graces the territory with its awesomeness and electrifying celebration, but there are many other cultural festivals and carnivals that are joyfully celebrated in Montserrat and they all are really worth attending. Here we have listed down a handful of festivals and carnivals of Montserrat that you must attend at least once in your lifetime.
- St Patrick’s Festival ( In March)
- Calabash Festival (Mid July)
- Cudjoe Head Celebrations ( August)
- Montserrat International Fishing Tournament ( October )
- Alliouagana Festival of the Word ( Mid November )
Conclusion
The culture and tradition of Montserrat are beautifully displayed in the Montserrat Carnival, which is not just graceful but also pleasing to the eyes. Seriously, there can’t be any better celebration of the year-end and beginning of a new year than this. So, just be a part of it and experience the fun on a completely different level.
Did you check our exclusive IC Caribbean Shop? Go through it to explore some unique travel accessories and enjoy your upcoming vacation.
IC Caribbean invites aspirants to join our internship program. Work with us to get exposure in the international travel industry and work with a diverse team of professionals.
Comment (0)