Jacksonville Caribbean Carnival has been cancelled for 2026; check back for updates on the 2027 dates.
The Jacksonville Caribbean Carnival is celebrated at the Metropolitan Park in downtown Jacksonville, Florida.
Jacksonville Caribbean Carnival is Northeast Florida’s Caribbean celebration, held in the fourth week of August. The organisers describe it as a three-day staycation — two nights of events leading into a full day built around a parade, a festival, and a live stage concert.
What sets it apart from most US Caribbean carnivals is how wide the programme reaches. Rather than running on soca alone, the concert spans reggae, Haitian, and Spanish-language Caribbean music, reflecting a Jacksonville community drawn from across the region rather than from one part of it.
It is organised by a non-profit whose stated purpose is to share Caribbean culture with the wider city and act as a conduit for diversity and inclusion in Jacksonville. Unlike many US carnivals, it is a ticketed event rather than an open street festival — worth knowing before you plan, since access to the parade, festival, and concert all runs through the same gates.
At Jacksonville’s Caribbean Carnival, you can expect a vibrant celebration filled with colorful parades, traditional Caribbean music, and lively dances. The event features elaborate costumes representing various Caribbean nations, with the sounds of calypso and steel drums setting a festive atmosphere. The parade culminates in a lively festival at Metropolitan Park, where attendees can enjoy live performances, cultural showcases, and a variety of Caribbean-inspired food and art. The carnival draws a diverse crowd from across Florida and beyond, making it a significant multicultural event on the First Coast.
The parade features masqueraders in costumes, adorned with feathers, beads, and bright colors. Participants can enjoy energetic performances by dance troupes, stilt walkers, and floats playing soca and calypso music.
Participants can join masquerade bands, competing in costume contests for the best designs and performances. The creativity and craftsmanship of these costumes add to the spectacle of the carnival.
The event includes family-friendly zones with activities for children, cultural displays, and workshops. Visitors can learn about the history, traditions, and artistry of Caribbean culture through interactive exhibits.
A lineup of local and international Caribbean artists takes the stage, performing reggae, soca, dancehall, calypso, and steelpan music. These performances often keep the crowd dancing well into the night.
This late night/ early-morning celebration is marked by participants dancing and partying in paint, powder, and mud. It’s a lively, immersive experience rooted in Caribbean traditions, symbolizing freedom and joy.
A variety of food stalls offer authentic Caribbean dishes like jerk chicken, curry goat, roti, oxtail, and fried plantains. Tropical drinks such as rum punch, sorrel, and coconut water are also favorites.
Date: CANCELLED
Location: Jacksonville, Florida, United States
Time: Various times
Jacksonville Caribbean Carnival has been cancelled for 2026; check back for updates on the 2027 dates once they are announced.
Note: Changes to the schedule are beyond our control, so please check for updates before finalizing travel plans.
Jacksonville is easy to reach whether you’re coming from elsewhere in the United States, the Caribbean, or internationally.
Ready to lock in your flights? Use the search tool above to compare fares and find the best deal for your Carnival trip.
The best area to stay for Jacksonville Caribbean Carnival is downtown Jacksonville, close to Metropolitan Park on the St. Johns River where the parade culminates and the festival and concert take place — putting you within easy walking or rideshare distance of all the Carnival action.
Use the above map to find and book stays near the Carnival parade route!
Getting around Jacksonville during Carnival is easiest if you stay near the festival area or downtown.
Stroll along the Jacksonville Riverwalk for waterfront views and live music, or hit the sand at Jacksonville Beach for sun, surf, and chill Carnival downtime. Explore the art and food scene in Riverside and Avondale, or dive into local history at the Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens. When night comes, the vibez pick up in Downtown Jax, where rooftop bars and Southern sounds keep the celebration going.
We’ve gathered some of our most useful Carnival travel blogs to help you plan for Jacksonville Carnival and other Global festivals:
