St Lucian Carnival

The highlight of the celebration takes place, usually during the second week in July beginning on the weekend and ending on Tuesday (Monday and Tuesday are public holidays). Following the launching of Carnival in June, Mas Camps are formed and members begin to designed and built their costumes. Pan-yards are usually full of practising steel-band performers and, calypso tents throughout the island compete through a series of performances by local calypso and soca artists. During the height of the Carnival fever, competitions for beauty queens, soca and calypso monarch gets under way and Mas bands compete for king and queen of the bands, and the band of the year title.
If you are planning to visit St. Lucia for Carnival, be there one week before or at least by Friday before the Monday and Tuesday parades (see calendar of events).