Hi, I’m Shelley — the writer behind Carnival Vibez, and a proud St. Maarten girl at heart.
My journey to building this platform began somewhere you might not expect: China. When I moved abroad, I found myself far from the soca music, the mas, the food, and the people that made me who I am. But what started as homesickness turned into something powerful. My Chinese students — many of whom had never met a Black person before — were captivated by the stories I shared about the Caribbean. The colours, the costumes, the culture, the energy. They wanted to know everything.
Those conversations reminded me just how special what we have is — and how much of the world had never experienced it. As I continued to travel and meet people across the globe, that feeling only grew stronger. So I built Carnival Vibez — a platform to take Caribbean vibes to the world and invite everyone to the party.
While Carnival Vibez covers festivals across the globe, its soul is rooted in Caribbean culture and perspective. This isn’t just a directory of parade dates — it’s a love letter to everything Carnival represents: the culture, the connection, the community, and that indescribable joy you feel when the music hits and the road opens up.
We’re here for the Carnival curious, the first-timers, and the die-hard masqueraders already planning their next jump. Whether you’re figuring out where to start, learning the culture before you land, or building a full trip around a festival — this is your home base. We’ll connect you with everything you need to make it happen, from cultural guides to trusted resources for flights, accommodation, and tours.
Carnival Vibez exists to make Carnival more accessible, more understood, and more appreciated by people of all backgrounds and from every corner of the world.
Too often, Carnival gets reduced to costumes, parties, and parade photos — but anyone who’s ever been on the road knows it goes so much deeper than that. It’s history, identity, music, community, migration, creativity, and expression all wrapped into one. Our mission is to share that fuller picture, while giving you the practical tools to experience it for yourself.
Shelley is the founder of Carnival Vibez and a St. Maarten native who has spent years traveling the world, sharing Caribbean culture, and building a space where Carnival lovers everywhere feel at home.
Whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned masquerader, she built this for you!
Carnival Vibez is built to bring global attention to every corner of the Carnival world — from established festivals to emerging bands and new cultural events. By partnering with us, you’ll join a platform that connects tens of thousands of Carnival enthusiasts with the experiences, stories, and celebrations that make your event unique.
We currently feature more than sixty Carnivals across the globe and are constantly expanding. If your Carnival isn’t listed yet, we’ll create a dedicated page for your event to showcase key details, imagery, and links that help travelers discover you. Once published, you’ll be able to update your festival’s schedule and event information directly on our website through our upcoming ‘carnival organizer portal’.
If you’re ready to get your Carnival featured, complete these 2 simple steps, and we’ll handle the rest.