Carnival

Carnival Review

Outrageous costumes, blowout parades, pulsating Tumba rhythms, miniprocessions known as jump-ups, and frenetic energy characterize Carnival. The season lasts longer here than on many other islands: the revelries begin at New Year's and continue until midnight the day before Ash Wednesday. One highlight is the Tumba Festival (dates vary), a four-day musical event featuring fierce competition between local musicians for the honor of having their piece selected as the official road march during parades. For the Grand Parade, space is rented along the route and people mark their territory by building wooden stands, some lavishly decorated and furnished.