Carnival in Jamaica

Carnival in Jamaica consists of fetes, several J'ouverts, and one day of pretty mas - the Sunday after Easter Sunday. The next parade day for Carnival in Jamaica will be Sunday, April 11, 2026.

If you want to participate in the carnival parade, I recommend that you purchase a costume with a carnival mas band. There are currently 3 carnival mas bands in Jamaica:

• GenXS Carnival
• Xodus Carnival
• YardMas Carnival

Each carnival mas band will have its own parade route in and around New Kingston that starts in the morning, typically around 9/10am, and its own lunch spot in the afternoon. After lunch, each mas band will continue its parade route. The parade usually ends around 6pm.

Note that Bacchanal Jamaica is now a marketing partner with Xodus Carnival.

Carnival in Jamaica is held in Kingston, Jamaica. As such, I recommend that you fly into the Norman Manley International Airport (KIN). 

You can however fly into another airport like the Sangster International Airport (MBJ) and then rent a car, hire a driver, or take another form of transportation such as the Knutsford Express, to get to Kingston.

The parade route passes through New Kingston and I recommend hotels that are located in that area or nearby:

• AC Hotel
• Altamont Court
• Christar Villas
• The Courtleigh Hotel and Suites
• Courtyard by Marriott
• The Jamaica Pegasus
• R Hotel
• S Hotel (Spanish Court Hotel)
• Shirley Retreat Hotel
• Terra Nova All Suite

Planning for carnival can be hectic! I recommend that you work with a concierge service if you need assistance with arranging fete tickets, accommodations, car rental, a driver, costume registration, costume collection and delivery. Here is a list of businesses that offer carnival concierge services in Jamaica:

• Carnival Hunters
• Carnival Made Easy
• Kasey's Costume Couriers
• Mango Reef Promotions

Visit this link to see a calendar list of fetes for Carnival in Jamaica from IAmSoca. You can purchase tickets for most fetes and events online. However, should you wish to purchase a physical ticket, I recommend that you connect with the following ticket ambassadors or ticket outlets:

Ambassadors

• Keisha Kong
• Danielle HoLung
• Mark Lalor

Outlets

• Morgan's Creek
• The Life Store

Do you need carnival to purchase stockings, carnival tights, ac carnival thigh bag, a carnival wrist pouch, or other carnival accessories? Here are some contact for you:

Brands

• Carnivalista - discount code BELLE
• Micles
• MRCH
• Peavey
• StocKing by Kandi

In Store

• Fontana
• Party Experience

Online

• Amazon

Here are some suggestions if you need hair services such as braids, ponytail, or a wig installation:

• Blow by Blow
• Hair By Jhade
• NLPro Hair Co & Salon Studio (naturallylaced)
• Nidge's Image
• SoBabe

Book your makeup appointment in advance!

• Carnival Glam Hub - discount code BELLE
• Face Candy Studio
• Face Forward Cosmetics - please tell Sharon that I sent you
• Mas Ready Carnival
• Mekie Doll - please tell Mekelia that I sent you

Body Shimmer Products

• byCela
• immortelle

Spray Tanning Services

• Juanita Diaz
• SunlessGlowJamaica

• DST Swim
• Miakalani
• miSimBeachBabe
• Swim Fest

• Courtney Chen
• Dacx Productions
• Live Feed
• OH Zeen
• Peter Anguin, Penguin Photography
• Rokin Entertainment
• Savant Media Services Ltd
• Sleek Jamaica Media
• SKKAN Media