Lehwego’s guide to Jamaica carnival in July 2022
Carnival in Jamaica is a little different this year in that the government and several of the bands have declared July 10th to be the date for carnival in Jamaica 2022. This is to give bands the chance to complete their 2020 business which was halted at the last minute by covid.
Love or hate the date, it’s happening. For those of you coming in for a week of fun and frolic here is a guide to help navigate this unusual carnival.
WHY SHOULD YOU COME.
The bands are just now coming out from the shadow of covid. They are itching to get back to business to pay years of bills. If you support carnival in Jamaica, supporting the bands to stay afloat is a good thing. As masqueraders we also have had 2 years of drought and Jamaica is an affordable, and easy to reach, Caribbean carnival that never disappoints.
GETTING TO JAMAICA.
Flights to Jamaica are plentiful and among the cheapest of all the islands having carnival in the summer. A flight from Florida to Kingston at the time of this writing from Wednesday to Monday costs as little as $430.
GETTING A COSTUME
This year is special in that the bands were close to delivery of costumes in 2020. Having carnival in July allows bands to finally deliver these costumes to masqueraders. At the same time many masqueraders can’t come because of work, short notice, other carnival plans etc. This makes the costume resellers marker a buyers bonanza, with great deals likely available for the discerning masquerader.
Fine ah ban as well as Bacchanal and xodus have costume resale sites that you can cop a costume with.
2023 edit: This year we have Bacchanal/Xodus, GenXs Jamaica and Yardmas/Xaymaca offering costumes for the road.
WHERE TO STAY
The hotel scene in Kingston has changed slightly since my last guide. Some old stalwarts have taken the time to close and renovate and new hotels have popped up .
As usual I suggest using New Kingston as a convenient location for accomodations, be it hotel or Airbnb.
TRANSPORTATION.
Finding reliable transport can be challenging. Stick to reliable taxi services to ensure safe movements on your travels. Though expensive, JUTA tours has long been a trusted taxi and tour operator and are always a safe choice.
FETES
2023 edit: See the MAIN MENU for a link to a new, interactive fete calendar.
From Wednesday to Sunday you can be sure of great daily fetes once you come in to the island despite the smaller expected size. Of course fete prices are quite reasonable with drink inclusive events starting from approximately 50-70usd.
The roadmarch in Jamaica traditionally starts around 9am at the national stadium and ends at about 7pm at the start location, Bacchanal Jamaica Mas Camp, located at the stadium. The parade usually has a few thousand participants and tens of thousands of spectators along it’s route.
Our costumes are all traditional bikini, beads and feathers as we have no long traditions or history as it pertains to carnival. Our experience with carnival is that its a rolling street party filled with scantily clad, beautiful people obsessed with the need to wine (more or less). So you don’t find too many people trying to look pretty or posing. Most are, to some degree, trying to get their party on. Even the overachievers, with their collars and big headpieces, can be found taking a wine.
We have all of the amenities that come as standard fare in trinidad as well as a few little “extras”. We have little bags of water that we use to keep hydrated and, inevitably, to use as ammunition in the rolling water war that results soon after their release to the crowd. You will also see the occasional bacchanal staff carrying platters of finger food or a mobile bucket bar.
The sun in April isn’t too bad but you will still need some form of sunblock. Its not unusual for a short midday shower in april as well so mentally prepare for that possibility.
Lunch is usually straight to the point. Eat….rest….gather your strength for the afternoon. That is unless you are a Lehwego+Sleek reveller. They will have air-conditioned lounge, makeup touch up, sweet treats etc.
Security is good and even at points where it is lax, our culture is such that stormers rarely appear in the band. Spectators know to stick to the sidewalk and follow along.
Crime is non-existent during carnival but don’t do anything reckless please!
So get your crew together and come enjoy yourself. It’s going to be a fun and affordable Jamaica carnival.
Come jump up on the road!
