Nearly every month there is a festival or mini festival in Tobago which is the perfect way to experience the Island's Rich Diversity and Culture.
Festivals in Tobago - scroll down to see all
- Pan Championships and Junior Panorama
Held in January in the run up to Carnival. Steel pan bands from Trinidad and Tobago compete for the coveted titles. You can listen to the heats at venues up and down the island of Tobago. Visit their official website here.
- Carnival
Coincides with Trinidad's Carnival but with a much more laid back atmosphere. There is the traditional Mud Mas as well as J'ouvert, the Parade of Junior and Senior Bands through the streets of Scarborough and the Roxborough Afro-Queen and Windward Calypso Show.
- Tobago Carnival Regatta "A Festival of Wind"
A multi-faceted contest that includes the traditional locally made wooden bum boats; the Young Optimists sailor boats, wind surfers and kite boarders are all competiting in a high charged event on Pigeon Point Heritage Park. This event attracts competitors from all over the world.
- Fishing Tournament
There are two major game fishing tournaments held in Tobago each year where game fishermen from all over the world come to part take in these annual events. First there is the Tobago International Game Fishing Tournament, which is usually held in March but has been rescheduled to May 2013 at Charlotteville; click here to visit their website or click here to view a video of their 2012 event. After the March event, the game fishermen then descend to the Pigeon Point Heritage Park for the Marlin Madness Tournament, in April, held by the Trinidad and Tobago Game Fishing Association; to visit their website click here or to get a preview of what to expect click here for their 2012 event.
- Goat and Crab Racing
Held every year for over eighty years on Easter Tuesday at the Buccoo Integrated Facility. This activity is the same as horse racing, with stables and trainers; except the jockeys run alongside their steads.
- Tobago Jazz Experience
Experience music all over the island. World Music Day brings the festival to a close at Pigeon Point Heritage Park. Past acts include Elton John, Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder, Emeli Sande and Chaka Khan. This event is held in April and offers different performances, venues and experience. Visit their official website here.
- Tobago Culinary Festival
Held in May at Pigeon Point Heritage Park. A festival showcasing the culinary skills of local chefs, cooks and caterers. Demonstrations and live entertainment awaits you.
- Rainbow Cup Triatholon
An international triatholon with a sprint triathlon, olympic triathlon and many other events such as a 2000m open water swim, 5k run, tag team triathlon, and children's triathlon all spread out over two days. Usually held in May.
- Tobago Fashion Weekend
Part of Trinidad and Tobago Fashion Week is held at the Pigeon Point Heritage Park and features runway shows highlighting creations by designers right here in T & T and the wider Caribbean. Click here for their website.
- Harvest and Fishermen Festivals
Always held on a Sunday, these festivals have grown from thanksgiving celebrations by local farmers to ones which involve locals and visitors alike. Fisherman festivals happen in coastal villages, mainly on St Peter's Day June 29th. Both festivals start with a church service in the morning followed by eating, drinking and partying into the night at various homes.
- Tobago Hertiage Festival
Usually held between mid July and August. A celebration of Tobago's culture and heritage. Islandwide events, including the Ole Time Tobago Wedding in Moriah and Folk Tales and Superstitions in Golden Lane and Les Coteaux.
- Great Fete Weekend
This is a five day beach party held at Store Bay, Pigeon Point and Mount Irvine. Expect to lime well beyond sunrise. Held in July/August every year where each year is something different!
- Emancipation Day
A national holiday held on August 1st to commemorate the abolition of slavery in 1838. There is a street parade in Crown Point which ends at the Pigeon Point Heritage Park, featuring traditional derss.
- Tobago Mutahdi International Drumming Festival
Drummers from all over the world arrive in Tobago in August for daytime workshops and live performances at night.
- Carib Great Race
The annual powerboat race between Trinidad and Tobago held in August. The race starts early in the morning from Port of Spain and boats start crossing the finish line at Scarborough from 9am. It's a nice and calm family and friends lime.
- T & T Film Festival
The second largest festival of its kind in the Caribbean which is held every September. It showcases a range of films including documentary, animated and dramatic from or about the Caribbean and Latin America. As well as screenings, there are also workshops and educational programmes. Visit their website here.
- Tobago International Cycling Classic
Now a major cycling race and part of the international cycling calendar of the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI). It attracts competitors from across the world. As well as the main Tour of Tobago UCI International Road Race there are other cycling classic races in different parts of the island which are open to international, regional and local cyclists.
- Blue Food Festival
An all day gastronomic event in October with a focus on indigenous and creative food offerings. Local chefs vie for prizes in the Blue Food Cooking Competition and showcase their creativity in designing and producing dishes using the root vegetable Dasheen, the major ingredient. Dasheen, known in the USA as Taro, is also called ‘blue food' by locals as some versions of the vegetable turn varying shades of blue and indigo when cooked. Held at L'Anse Fourmi.
- Tobago Flying Colours
A kite flying festival held each year at the Plymouth Recreational Grounds, usually around Christmas.
