Dancers at the Emancipation Village

Photographer: Anthony Harris

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Trinidad's major festivals & holidays

This festival island constantly celebrates life, creativity, and diversity – Archbishop Desmond Tutu called T&T a “rainbow nation” when he visited in the 1980s (though he gave his native South Africa the same description as well). Indeed, every day’s a celebration in Trinidad — or so it can appear at times when our many ethnic groups and religions have given us such a wide array of festival and holidays. These are some of our most distinctive celebrations.

And don't forget to visit our Calendar for an updated list of the current year's holidays and events.

Hosay

This originally Islamic festival commemorates the martyrdom of Hussain, the Prophet Muhammad’s grandson, and later murder of his brother Hassan. The lively three-day procession sees tadjahs (fanciful replicas of the tomb) carried through the streets to tassa drumming; they are eventually cast into the sea. Popular venues for watching and joining Hosay activities are St. James, Curepe, Tunapuna, Couva, and Cedros. Dates vary each year according to the moon. In 2009, for example, Hosay happened twice: in January and in December.

Carnival

Undoubtedly the island’s largest and most famous festival, showcasing some of the nation’s most distinctive artforms: calypso, soca, steelband, limbo and others. For the full low-down, see our Carnival articles.

Phagwa (Holi)

Each March the Hindu community recognises the beginning of the Indian spring and the Hindu New Year. A major hallmark of the festival is the vegetable dye abir, a fuschia liquid that Phagwa (or Holi) participants spray over one another as part of the revelry. Celebrations also include chowtal singing and dancing competitions. (If you attend a Phagwa celebration make sure to wear old clothes!)

Orisa Family Day

A traditional procession in which devotees accompany Orisa (also spelt Orisha) drummers from Lopinot Junction to ancestral lands for a day of rituals and prayer. Usually held in March.

Spiritual (Shouter) Baptist Liberation Day

Celebrated on 30 March, this day commemorates the abolition of the British-instituted Shouters Prohibition Ordinance, which forbade participation in this African-influenced religion. The Baptists are also sometimes referred to as just Shouter Baptists or as Shango Baptists.

La Divina Pastora

A Catholic devotion with origins in Spain, this tribute to the Divine Shepherdess now includes Hindus, who refer to the Black Virgin statue in Siparia’s Catholic Church as Siparee Kay Mai. Held annually on the second Sunday after Easter, the festival is one of the main events in the southern town of Siparia.

Trinidad & Tobago Fashion Week

Founded in 2008, the event showcases some of the most talented local and regional designers and models, both established and emerging, every May.

Taste T&T

This event showcases some of the island’s best and favourite foods and chefs. Venues like the Jean Pierre Complex and Adam Smith Square are converted into massive restaurants, hosting signature events like the T&T Recipe and Cooking Competition, the community-oriented Pot Spoon Throwdown, and the Demonstration Kitchen with gourmet chefs. During the subsequent Restaurant Week, featured restaurants offer specials and coupons.

Indian Arrival Day

Celebrated on 30 May, in commemoration of the arrival of the first indentured labourers from India following the Emancipation of African slaves in 1838. The day is celebrated as an affirmation of Indo-Trinidadians’ contribution as citizens of Trinidad and Tobago, with re-enactments and street parades. The Divali Nagar is a focal point for the festivities.

Red Earth Eco Arts Festival

Hosted at natural oases like Chaguramas and Blanchisseuse, the festival raises environmental awareness through environmental and arts events. It is held each year around World Environment Day (5 June).

WeBeat Festival

An annual festival each June centred around the Western Main Road in St. James, featuring vintage kaiso (calypso), talent shows, a pan explosion and a steelband parade to end the festival.

Emancipation Day

Celebrated on 1 August to commemorate the emancipation of African slaves in 1838. It’s marked with street processions (including towering moko jumbies, and a flambeaux-lit Canboulay procession in the evening); church services; cultural shows; and countless events and activities at the Lidj Yasu Omowale Emancipation Village in Port of Spain's Jean Pierre Complex. The Village hosts craft and clothing stalls and shows featuring local and international acts.

Santa Rosa Festival

Celebrated in late August, the festival honours the patron saint of the local Amerindian Carib (or Karina) community. Commemorations include sharing traditional Amerindian foods, church services, and a street procession with the Santa Rosa statue, led by the Carib Queen.

Independence Day

The commemoration of the islands’ independence from Britain on August 31, 1962 with parades, fireworks and big concerts (sometimes featuring international acts), plus the Independence Day Cycling Classic.

Panyard Sensations

An annual series each September in panyards across the island showcasing the national instrument, the steelpan, as well its top bands and practitioners.

Trinidad & Tobago Film Festival

This September festival started in 2006 and is now the second largest of its kind in the region. It showcases a range of dramatic, documentary, short, and animated films from or about the Caribbean and Latin America, and hosts a number of workshops and educational programmes. W: www.trinidadandtobagofilmfestival.com

Republic Day

Commemorates the nation’s status as a republic within the Commonwealth, achieved on September 24, 1976. Events include the Hyundai Open Water Classic at Maracas Bay and the Republic Day Cycling Challenge and 5K Fun Run.

Amerindian Heritage Day

Descendants from around the region gather for a smoke ceremony and street procession in Arima on October 14 to honour the heritage of Caribs, Awaraks and other Amerindian groups.

Divali

Celebrated in October or November according to the moon, this Hindu festival of lights honours Mother Lakshmi (goddess of light, beauty, riches and love) and celebrates the return of Lord Rama from exile: thousands of flickering deyas light his way. The Ramleela, theatrical re-enactments of stories from the Hindu scriptures, takes place just before Divali (usually in October). Hindus across Trinidad attend the outdoor spectacles, which involve bright costumes and an epic finale. Felicity in south Trinidad is among the most popular venues.

Best Village

The Best Village competition keeps folk traditions alive in local communities, and is where some of the nation’s finest performing arts professionals make their start. It culminates in October/November, and encompasses all indigenous local culture – dance, drama, folklore, food and farming products, sports, and the selection of a Best Village Queen, La Reine Rivé.

Eid-ul-Fitr

Eid marks the end of Ramadan (the ninth month of the Muslim year), during which fasting is practised from sunrise to sunset. The day begins in the mosque and continues with alms-giving, hospitality and shared meals with family, friends and neighbours of all backgrounds. The date of this festival varies, since it depends on the sighting of the new moon.

Though not all of these are official public holidays, there are other religious and non-denominational days that have been designated holidays.