When is Atlanta Carnival 2021?
The dates for the 2021 Atlanta Carnivalย will take place on Saturday, May 29, 2021ย
What is carnival in Atlanta?
Atlantaย has its very own Caribbean Carnivalย celebration! ย Carnival in Atlantaย is about promoting a deeper appreciation and understanding for Caribbean culture amongst the Metro Atlantaย community. The Atlanta Carnivalย embraces multiculturalism and is about uniting people all across the city.
Atlanta Carnivalย celebrates Caribbeanย culture through music, dance, cuisines, masquerades,ย costumesย as well as Caribbean cuisine. It is a fusion of influences from lots of different Caribbean cultures.
Where is Atlanta Carnival?
The centre of Atlanta Carnivalย is the Festival Village. This is set up for the duration of carnival and is a hub for lots of carnival events as well as where all the shops and food and drink vendors are. The address is:
Festival Village
Address:
- Central Park
- 400 Merritts Ave NE
- Atlanta,ย GAย 30308
Check out some accomodation options here.
What is the history of Atlanta Carnival?
In 1987, a group ofย Caribbeanย islanders, from different islands came together to with the goal of familiarizing the Atlantaย metro community with Caribbean culture. They wanted to do this by throwing a West Indianย style of carnival.ย The first ever Atlanta Caribbean Carnivalย was held in 1988 and was the first Caribbean Carnivalย to kick of the US Caribbean Carnivalย season.
This first carnivalย was a huge success and brought in thousands of visitors to Atlanta for the Memorial Day Weekend.ย The carnivalย continued to grow more and more popular every year and continue to increase awareness of Caribbean culture.
This year’s Atlanta Carnivalย promises to be more exciting than ever before!. The Festival Villageย and the Atlanta Carnivalย Parade of Bandsย are guaranteed to take the Atlanta Carnivalย to the next level.
Atlanta Carnival The Parade of Bands
What is a Mas Band?ย Mas Bandsย are organisations who pay for the sameย costumesย which are all created by the sameย costume designer. Theย costumedย participantsย paradeย and dance together through the streets along withย steelpan bands,ย soca musiciansย or even a DJ. This is what is known asย playing mas.
The Atlanta Carnival Parade of the Bandsย is more than just watching a spectacular show. The Mas Bandsย compete against each other for the title of best band. A panel of judges sit along theย paradeย routeย watching the performers and rewarding them marks on different aspects of their performance, including costume, energy, creativity, performance, etc.
Thousands come out to watch and partake in the Parade of the Bands, it is a colorful, vibrant and energetic spectacle. Theย masquerades are dressed in the most colorful, beautiful costumesย that are adorned with feathers, jewels, headdresses and wings. The soca pumps loud and everyone dances the day away. Everyone is united and having the time of their lives.ย
Atlanta Carnival Parade Route?
- Parade assembles on West Peachtree St at MARTA Civic Center Station
- Left on Ivan Allen (Ivan Allen changes into Ralph McGil) to Piedmont Ave NE
- Right on Piedmont Ave NE to Baker-Highland Connector
- Left on Baker-Highland Connector to Central Park Pi
- Left on Central Park PI NE to Linden Ave
- Parade wil disband on Linden Ave into Central Park
Atlanta Carnival Mas Bands
Can I be a part of the Atlanta Carnival?ย Yes of course you can! The best way to enjoy Atlanta Carnival is to join in and play mas! There are several carnival bandsย that you can take part in and each offer their own unique Atlanta Carnivalย experience. All you have to do is pick a mas band, buy a costumeย and march with yourย bandย on the day.
The Atlanta Carnival Mas Bandsย are:
- We Kinda Ting:ย To check out their costumesย or register to theirย bandย you can do that here ย wktmas.com, or call (678) 622-4452
- Fantasy Island:ย Within the bandย there are different sections. You can either buy costumesย for the Edo Tribe, Zamunda, Dora Milaje or the Maasai Tribe. To view the costumes you can do that here atlantacarnival.org
- Fun Band: They are a T-shirt band and you can view their shirts here atlantacarnival.org.ย You can contact them here Bandleader: Oungku, Contact: (646) 403-7384, rhnfunzonesexo.com
- Taste of Elegance: To contact this band you can do this through bandleader: Karen David at (770) 837-6375 or atasteofpureelegance@gmail.com.
- Mystikal: Their theme will be Legacy. You can contact them to vie their costumes through bandleader Cherie Rhymer on (407) 310-6171 or look at facebook.com.
- Panasonic Steel Band: You can contact the bandleaders Vere Henry: (865) 256-2158, Carver Joseph: (770) 262-0443 at psteelband@gmail.com.
How much and where do I purchase tickets to Atlanta?
You can purchase a four days event bundle for $75 which will get you access to Jโouvert,ย the Festival Village, the Carnival Paradeย and the Breakfast Fete.ย Single ticket events cost $20 for Jโouvert, $28 general admission to enter the Festival Village and view the Carnival Paradeย on Saturday. To enter the Festival Village forย Socaย on Sunday it is $20, and it is $25 to attend the Breakfast Fete.
You can purchase your tickets here in eventbrite.com
How to get to Atlanta?
Whether you are coming from interstate or from overseas, it is very easy to get to Atlanta. Atlantaย is home to the worldโs busiest airport – Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. There are over 150 cities that have daily, non-stop flights to Atlanta.ย To get a quote for a flightย click here.
If you are coming from interstate than driving to Atlantaย is easy to. There are three major interstates that all come together in downtown Atlanta. They are the I-20, I-75 and I-85. Get a quote for a rental car here.
Where to stay in Atlanta?
In terms of proximity to the carnival we recommend staying in Downtown Atlanta. This is also convenient because it is located near the cityโs biggest tourist attractions like CNN World Headquarters, Phillips Arena, the World of Coca-Cola, the Georgia Dome,ย Centennial Olympic Park, andย America’s Mart.
The hotels in this area are a little less luxurious than the ones you will find in Midtown or Buckhead. So if you prefer five star luxury you should look in this area. That being said there is some excellent hotels in this area. There is also a lot of very affordable options of accommodation in this area too if you have a smaller budget. Of course you can always check out private rentals too.
For more information about tours, things to do, sightseeing tours, day trips and more click here. For longer vacations check out Tour Radar for some cool trips.
What to wear to Atlanta Carnival?
Atlanta Carnival is one of Atlanta’s most legendary events. A celebration of cultures from all around the world.ย The parades are colourful AF, with women dressed in colourful and elaborate feather headdresses and bejewelled bras. You don’t need to dress like the people in the parade but why not wear some playful pieces that will help you stand out from the crowds. Itโs the time to let your imagination one wild and get creative and wear something fun, you can check out some cool outfit ideas on Amazon. Remember though to wear comfortable shoes as you will be on your feet all day long!
Before you go!
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