Mas Domnik: Dominica's Carnival
The Real Mas!

Dominica's Carnival, held at the traditional pre-lenten time, is a feast of calypso, shows and two exciting days of street jump-up. Carnival is formally opened about a month before the two final days of jump-up.
Carnival 2008 Dates are February 4th & 5th.

NBD Flag Wavers
Carnival 2006: Costume Parade, Monday

2006 Slideshow





Sensay!
Sensay






Carnival Queen Contestant
Who will be the next Carnival Queen?

Carnival Events (2008)

Parade & Opening of Carnival (Jan 12th, 2008, 3-10pm)
This event kicks off Carnival. The Queen Contestants, Calypsonians, Princess Show Contestants, the most popular bands, people in sensay costumes, the 'Blackies', stilt walkers (moko jumbies), cheerleaders, and many more people parade through the streets in a kaleidoscope of colours, encouraged by a huge crowd of on-lookers. The event finishes at Festival City, know known as Spider City in honour of recently-deceased Calypsonian Spider.

Calypso Semi Finals (Jan 19th)
Newtown Savannah 8pm

Carnival Princess Show (Jan 20th)
 The Old Mill 4pm

The Stardom Calypso Tent (Jan 23rd, 8pm)
Commonly called "Stardom," this event is held every Wednesday before Carnival at the Reigate Downtown Hotel. It is a Calypso Show Series by which, through a method of elimination that lasts for weeks, the Calypsonians to participate in the Calypso Monarch Competition are chosen. The serious calypso commentary and mix of humour and local scandal makes the tent a favorite among locals.

Showdown Mas Camp (Jan 25th, 8pm)

International Artist Concert (Jan 18th)

Teenage Pageant (Jan 27th)
Carnival City 5pm

Lagoon Street Jam (Jan 28th, 8pm, Roseau)
This one is a definite favorite. It's another pre-taste for the real thing: Calypso, Bouyon Music, lots of people and Kubuli would accurately describe this jam. Like the other activities, this is open to everyone because Carnival in Dominica is a time when all differences are put aside.

Lapeau Kabwit/Sensay Festival (Jan 29th)
Bayfront, Roseau.

Stardom King of the Tent (Jan 30th)
Reigate Down Town 8pm

Showdown Champ of the Camp (Jan 31st)
Harlem Plaza 8pm

Related Links

  Carnival Dates
2007 19th & 20th February
2008 4th & 5th February
2009 23rd & 24th February

2008 Winners

2007 Winners

2006 Winners

2006 Slideshow

Carnival 2005 Photos

Carnival Through the Years

Previous Carnivals: 1998 to present

A History of Carnival by Lennox Honychurch

Carnival Jigsaw Puzzle

Flag Waving

The National Queen Show (Feb 1st, 8pm)
Several intelligent beauties from around the island vie for the title of Miss Dominica. Commonly called "Queen Show," this is always very, very well attended. Held in Festival City, we all look foward to this one!

National Calypso Finals (Feb 2nd, 8:30pm)
The finalists from the Calypso tent compete for the title of Calypso King or Queen. >> More about Calypso.

Kiddies Old Mas Festival (Feb 18th)

Carnival Street Parade (February 4th & 5th, 2008)
Known as Carnival Monday and Tuesday or Jump Up. This is the time of year that thousands of Dominicans look foward to... Costume Bands on Monday, Tee-Shirt Bands on Tuesday. Music, culture, people and wild celebration merge to form what we know as Carnival. It is the most festive time of the year where there are no enemies, where everyone comes together to have fun. So let loose, make new friends and enjoy! These parades are held in Roseau, but many other villages have small parades.

Vaval (Wednesday after Carnival)
In certain places such as the west-coast village of Dublanc and in the Carib Territory, there is one final event to Carnival - the Ash Wednesday burying (or burning) of the 'spirit' of Carnival and the beginning of Lent. Read more...

Prize Giving Ceremony (March 7th)

 


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