DC Caribbean Carnival

DC Caribbean Carnival

Last full weekend in June

Held annually in Washington, D.C., during the last weekend in June, the D.C. Caribbean Carnival is a colorful pageant celebrating the rich cultural life of the Caribbean region. The festival is organized by the nonprofit D.C. Caribbean Carnival, Inc., which conceived the event as a way to foster appreciation of Caribbean culture and to promote cross-cultural understanding.
Since beginning with nine bands in 1993, the carnival has nearly tripled in size, with groups representing every country in the Caribbean. The festival highlight is the opening-day parade that features more than two dozen calypso and steel drum bands accompanied by thousands of costumed masqueraders representing such themes as "Quest for Gold," "Party Time," and "Angels and Jumbies." The parade originates at the intersection of Georgia Avenue and Missouri Avenue N.W. and ends at Banneker Field, where the site has been transformed into "De Savannah," an international marketplace. Entertainment continues throughout the weekend, and craft and food vendors offer regional arts and cuisine. More than 300,000 people attend each year.

CONTACTS:
DC Caribbean Carnival, Inc.
4809A Georgia Ave. N.W., Ste. 112
Washington, D.C. 20011
202-726-2204; fax: 202-726-8221
www.dccaribbeancarnival.org
Washington, D.C., Convention and Tourism Corporation
901 7th St. N.W., 4th Fl.
Washington, DC 20001-3719
202-789-7000; fax: 202-789-7037
www.washington.org

SOURCES:
AAH-2007, p. 119
(c)

Celebration days:
2011: Jun 25; Jun 26
2012: Jun 23; Jun 24
2013: Jun 29; Jun 30
2014: Jun 28; Jun 29
2015: Jun 27; Jun 28