Events

Play Mas

“Play Mas” Caribbean Carnival is celebrated with a Carnival Street Parade sometimes referred to as a March.
Most of the islands in the Caribbean celebrate Carnival. The largest and most well-known celebration is held in Trinidad and Tobago. The Dominican Republic, Antigua, Aruba, Cayman Islands, Barbados, Haiti, Dominica, Grenada, Jamaica, Sint Maarten, Saint Lucia, Saint Kitts, Saint Thomas and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines are also known for lengthy carnival seasons and large celebrations. The parade floats include music trucks with dancers called masqueraders dressed in colourful costumes dancing behind the truck. This is a special time of fun and enjoyment traveling through downtown Charleston on the way to the park.

Anyone wanting to be a masquerader will need to purchase a costume. Costumes will be on display in March. Come show your fun side and have a good time, Caribbean style!

Facebook: Charleston Carifest

The featured country for the 2012 festival is Jamaica

Carifest Symposium,
The Moore Town Maroons, Jamaica’s Intangible Cultural Heritage
Dr. Wiek and Dr. John Rashford

    Thursday, June 14, 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
    Avery Institute, College of Charleston, 125 Bull Street, Charleston, SC 29401

Masquerade Fete

Mardi Gras Party

    Dinner & Dance Fundraiser in support of the Carifest Children’s Steel Band Project
  • Date: Friday, June 15, 2012
  • 7:00 PM – 12 Midnight.
    Location: International Longshoreman’s Hall
    1142 Morrison Drive (top of East Bay Street) Charleston, SC 29403 $40.00 pp

Carnival Street Parade

  • Date: Saturday, June 16, 2012
    • 3:00 PM
    Parade Route: Visitor’s Center on Ann Street to King Street to Sumter Street to Congress to Hagood to Fishburne into Brittle Bank Park.
    View the splendor of the Caribbean with colourful Revelers in beautiful costumes dancing to the beat of Reggae and Soca music through the streets on their way to Brittle Bank Park. “Playing Mas” Caribbean style.
    Carnival FinaleCaribbean Carnival Celebration in the Park

  • Location: Brittle Bank Park, 181 Lockwood Blvd., Charleston, SC 29403 (across from Charleston Police Station)
  • Details: 2:00 PM – 9:00 PM
    Cultural Festival in the Park- Steel Bands, Reggae/Soca Music, Caribbean Dancers, Indian Dancers, Caribbean Food, Drink, Crafts.
    Children’s tent area.

    • $5.00 in advance $10.00 at gate

    Carifest After Party
    Tropix Bar and Grill    5131 Dorchester Road
    10:00 PM to 2:00 AM
    $10.00
    Wine down and Whine down

    www.charlestoncarifest.com