Hello, hello and thanks for stopping by! If you’re planning your own Tobago Carnival trip, you need to know the facts, like the Tobago Carnival 2025 dates and a bit more about Tobago, right? Well, we’ve got you covered…so read on!
General Information
- Tobago, and its sister island Trinidad, are located at the end of the Caribbean chain of islands, just off the coast of Venezuela. The twin islands are referred to as Trinidad and Tobago; Tobago is located about 20 miles from Trinidad and is the smaller of the two islands
- Tobago Carnival 2025 Dates: Friday Oct 24 to Sunday Oct 27
- Additional Tobago Carnival Dates: 2026 – Friday Oct 30 to Sunday Nov 1; 2027 – Friday Oct 29 to Sunday Oct 31
- Tobago Carnival parties (a.k.a. fêtes) start around mid-October (coinciding with the Blue Food Festival) and continue until the Carnival parade, held in Scarborough, Tobago (and surrounding areas) on last Sunday of October
- The capital of Tobago is Scarborough, where the parade, J’ouvert and other activities pass through
- The local currency is the TT (Trinidad and Tobago) dollar
- 1.00 USD = around 6.4 TT
- Be prepared to drive on the left side of the road if you’re renting a vehicle!
Famous Tobagonians
Here’s a list of some well-known Tobagonians:
- The Mighty Shadow (Winston McGarland Bailey), calypso singer
- Winston Duke, actor probably best known for playing the role of M’Baku in several Marvel films. He was also in Jordan Peele’s film, Us
- Calypso Rose (Linda Sandy-Lewis), singer who is considered the “mother of calypso.” She is the first female calypso star, oldest artist to perform at Coachella and the first soca artist to have a full set at this festival
- Dwight Yorke, football/soccer player. He played for various UK clubs including Aston Villa, Manchester United, Blackburn Rovers, and Birmingham City
- Shurwayne Winchester, soca musician
History of Tobago Carnival
- Prior to 2022, Tobago celebrated carnival festivities along with its twin island, Trinidad, as Trinidad and Tobago Carnival dating back to the late 1700s
- The Mas tradition began with French plantation owners and enslavers organizing masquerades (mas) and balls before starting the fasting for Lent. The enslaved Africans were not allowed to take part in these festivities, so they created their own celebrations called Canboulay
- Canboulay incorporated the rituals and traditions of the enslaved people, and they used the discarded garments from their enslavers to make costumes to imitate or mock their enslavers’ masquerade balls
- This outlet became a celebration of resilience, resistance, and creativity
- In 2022, Tobago decided to break off from Trinidad and have their own Carnival festivities in the month of October
How to get to Tobago Carnival
- Be prepared to purchase your flight at least 6 months in advance
- Most international travelers fly into Trinidad and then take a 20-minute flight to Tobago. While it’s a short flight, availability is scarce and prices may increase due to increased demand around this time, so consider booking early. Another alternative is to take the ferry service that operates between Trinidad and Tobago. The ride takes around three hours and can be impacted by the weather, so if you’re short on time this may not be the best option
- Trinidad’s airport code is POS and Tobago’s code is TAB
- Current airlines flying to Trinidad:
- United Airlines
- American Airlines
- Caribbean Airlines
- British Airways
- Jet Blue
- Copa Airlines
Where to stay in Tobago
- We recommend booking as early as possible as there are limited options on the island, and demand will increase around carnival time
- Staying in Scarborough or Crown Point is ideal as you will be closest to the main parade and other events
- There are a wide variety of accommodations on the island, from hotels and resorts to guest houses and private apartment rentals, however do your research!
- Here are a few accommodations for you to check out:
Tobago Carnival Benefits
- If you think you’ll have the Trinidad Carnival experience here then you’re mistaken—and that’s a good thing! Don’t expect the overwhelming crowds you’ll find in Trinidad here. In fact, this celebration is mainly attended by Trinidad and Tobago locals, so the vibe is very friendly, welcoming, and relaxed. If you’re a carnival newbie, this makes it perfect for your first carnival trip as it will be a less hectic, more intimate environment
- The cost of costumes and hotels are more reasonable than other islands, and you can cut down on transportation costs too if your hotel is walking distance to attractions like the beach and the promenade
- Tobago Carnival is 1 Day Parade where you chip on de road with the beautiful Caribbean Sea as your backdrop
- Mix of the familiar & unique events – familiar events like J’ouvert and Night Mas, where you light up the night as you dance under the stars. J’ouvert also has a different feel here with the addition of the Mud is Life Festival. This extended J’ouvert starts on de road and ends with live performances, as you get dutty!
- Easy access the natural beauty of the island, from the beautiful white sand beaches and you-have-to-see-it-to-believe-it turquoise waters and lush vegetation. The beautiful surrondings allow you to build some relaxation into your trip during down time between fêtes
- And because Tobago Carnival 2025 dates are in late October, you’ll be enjoying the warm tropical weather as the temps in North America start to get chilly (brrr!)
Check out this video for a lil taste of Ultimate Bago Carnival 2023
Tobago Carnival Costumes
- The businesses that you get your costumes from are called “bands”. The bands usually have an overall theme for their costumes each year. The costume options are divided into “sections”
- There are many bands for you to choose from. Here are a few of the more popular ones:
- Iconic Mas
- Jade Monkey
- Lost Tribe
- Similar to other islands, bands offer a full service experience—this means with the fee you pay for your costume you also get access to drinks trucks on de road and security in the band
- Playing mas with a band is DE BEST way to partake in Tobago Carnival!
- Costume prices range from $350-900 USD, and usually have a frontline and backline option. The frontline costumes are typically bigger, more elaborate and therefore, offered at a higher price point
- The typical parade route is 5- 6 miles and despite it being October, temps will range between 75° and 84°F. Expect passing rain showers periodically during your stay as Tobago Carnival happens during the rainy season
Tobago Carnival Music
- Steelpan was created in Trinidad and Tobago as resistance to African percussion being forbidden and, like Trinidad, you will see steelpan incorporated into the Tobago Carnival celebration. Be sure to check out the Rhythm and Powder, the local steelpan street parade
- Another essential part of Tobago Carnival is soca music. Born from calypso music, soca has more of a driving bass designed to make yu move yuh waist and yuh feet
- And here’s a lil’ something to bring the Carnival vibes from Tobago’s own Shurwayne Winchester
Want more?
Then get our FREE Ultimate Guide of Getting to and Surviving Carnival! In our guide, we’ve included info about Tobago and other Caribbean Carnivals. Click here to sign up.
And finally, if you’d like to just pack and show up Fri Oct 24 to Sun Oct 27 (Tobago Carnival 2025 dates), then Ultimate Bago Carnival is fuh you! Click here to find out more.
Now Over to You:
Got questions about Tobago Carnival? Leave us a comment below!
Til de next lime,
Team Events By Ashé
About Us: Events by Ashé is a company that provides unique and life-changing Caribbean Experiences and we’re all passionate about the Carnival lifestyle. The Founders and travel curators, Esha and Tarik, even met during Trinidad Carnival back in 2006! We’re so passionate about Carnival that we’ve created Ultimate Trinidad Carnival, Ultimate Spicemas, Ultimate Crop Over and Ultimate St. Lucia Carnival to share these experiences with hundreds of clients around the world. Visit our website by clicking here or click the links below for more!
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