Grenada Spicemas: dates, Jab Jab J'ouvert and how to go

Spicemas is held every August and peaks with J'ouvert and two days of parades through St George's. The official calendar for each year is set by the island; we'll update this page as dates are confirmed.

Our 2027 Spicemas departures are sold out. 2028 is open: 9–16 August 2028 (8 days) or 11–16 August (6 days).

Spicemas blends traditional masquerade with modern soca, and it's known above all for Jab Jab J'ouvert, when revellers covered in oil, paint and mud take over the streets before dawn. Over the season you'll find the Soca Monarch Finals, boat rides, all-inclusive fetes, Monday Night Mas and the Parade of the Bands.

This is the shape of our Grenada Spicemas itinerary, day by day. Events can change from year to year, so the trip page always has the current plan.

• Day 1: Arrive in Grenada – Preeday VIP. Arrive at Maurice Bishop International Airport (GND) and transfer to your accommodation. Take some time to relax after your journey, then meet the group at the Soca Islands meet and greet.
• Day 2: Island Tour – Free Time. A day to explore the island. Begin at Grand Etang Lake, a crater lake high in the rainforest, then tour a rum distillery to learn how Grenadian rum is made, with samples along the way.
• Day 3: Soca Raff Up Grenada – Soca Monarch Finals. Take to the water for Soca Raff Up, a cooler boat cruise where you bring your own drinks and dance to soca as you sail along the coast.
• Day 4: Free Time – Shhhhh All-Inclusive. The morning is free for the beach or a slow start. In the afternoon it's Shhhhh, a premium food and drink inclusive fete that is anything but quiet.
• Day 5: Rum Boat Drinks Inclusive – Sunny Side Up All-Inclusive. Start the day on Rum Boat, a drinks-inclusive boat party with an open bar and soca on the water.
• Day 6: J’ouvert – Grenada Carnival Street Parade Day One (Monday wear) – Monday Night Mas. The big day starts before dawn with Jab Jab J'ouvert. Covered in paint, oil or mud, you'll dance through the streets to soca as the sun comes up.
• Day 7: Grenada Carnival Street Parade Day Two (full costume). The grand finale. In full costume, you'll parade through St. George's, Grenada's capital, with your band on the final day of the street celebrations.
• Day 8: Good-bye Grenada. Enjoy a relaxed final morning. Depending on your departure time, there may be a few hours for souvenirs or a last swim before you say goodbye to the group and transfer to the airport.

2028 from US$4,149 per person sharing; shorter join-in from US$3,275.

Costumes are bought directly from the band. On our trip you play mas with Lavish the Band (registration through lavishtheband.com), and we help with registration and choosing your section. International flights and travel insurance are extra.

Compare every carnival in Caribbean carnival packages 2027.

You need to fly into and out of the Maurice Bishop International Airport (GND).

Our small groups of 6 to 16 travellers include fete tickets, hotel, airport transfers and a Soca Islands host. See the Grenada Spicemas trip for dates, prices and what's included.