For me, Miami is the best carnival outside of the Caribbean. I have been to several country’s’ celebrations of Caribbean culture: Trinidad Carnival, Batabano in Cayman Islands, Crop Over in Barbados, Spicemas in Grenada and Notting Hill Carnival in the UK. No matter where I go throughout the year, I always end my tour in Miami!
Miami Carnival takes place every year during Columbus Day weekend, so if you are lucky enough to have those days off: book that flight.
The fete lineup alone is enough to bring me to the city in October—and a lot of frequent Miami Carnival goers would agree—but what I love the most is the parade of bands on Sunday. My main reason is because the route up until the stage crossing only allows masqueraders.
There’s something about seeing a sea of beautiful costumes from multiple bands that brings immense joy. Once the bands reach the judging point, lovers of soca and carnival outside of the bands are waiting to jump with the revelers as the trucks all pull into their designated areas: that’s when the final stage of the party starts.
