St Lucia Carnival 2027: dates, what to expect and how to go

Saint Lucia Carnival takes over the island each July and peaks with two days of street parades in Castries on Carnival Monday and Tuesday. In 2026 the season ran from 1 to 22 July, according to the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority. The official 2027 dates haven't been published yet; we'll update this page when they are.

Our St Lucia Carnival 2027 trip runs 16–22 July 2027 (7 days), or 17–22 July (6 days).

Carnival week builds through big all-inclusive fetes and neighbourhood traditions such as the Gros Islet Street Party and a J'ouvert morning of paint and powder, then bands take to the road in costumes of feathers, beads and sequins. The season reflects the island's African, French and Caribbean roots in its music, dance and storytelling.

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

• Day 1: Arrive in St. Lucia – Meet and Greet – Escape All Inclusive. Arrive in Saint Lucia and transfer to your accommodation. Once you've settled in, meet your Soca Islands Host and the group you'll be celebrating with this week.
• Day 2: Breakfast at Dawn – Sa Ka Fete – Gros Islet Street Party. Start early at Breakfast at Dawn (BAD), an inclusive morning party with food and drinks. Later comes Sa Ka, a food-inclusive fete built around Saint Lucian cooking.
• Day 3: Mess Fete – Soca Raff Up. At 4 am it's J'ouvert at the Mess Fete: paint, powder and music as the sun comes up. Return to the hotel to rest, then set sail in the afternoon for Soca Raff Up, a boat fete with music and drinks on the water.
• Day 4: Land and Sea Tour – Brazen Cooler Fete. A day to see the island. Drive through Castries and down the west coast through the fishing villages of Anse La Raye and Canaries to Soufrière, beneath the Pitons.
• Day 5: St. Lucia Carnival Street Parade Day One. Parade day one. Put on your full costume and take to the streets of Castries with your band as the Carnival street parade gets underway.
• Day 6: St. Lucia Carnival Street Parade Day Two. Back on the road in Castries for day two of the parade, this time in Tuesday wear. Some bands provide Tuesday wear, so check what your band includes.
• Day 7: Goodbye St. Lucia. There are no scheduled activities on the final day. 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 head to the airport.

From US$4,195 per person sharing; shorter join-in from US$3,250.

Costumes are bought directly from the band. On our trip you play mas with Xuvo (registration through xuvo-carnival.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 can fly into and out of either of the island's airports: George F. L. Charles Airport (SLU), near Castries, or Hewanorra International Airport (UVF), near Vieux Fort in the south of the island.

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