The Caribbean is an exciting place to visit at the best of times, and it is perfectly understandable why it attracts so many tourists each year. After all, what's not to like about sandy beaches that stretch for miles, crystal-clear, emerald-blue waters, picturesque scenery and friendly locals? The mild, tropical weather these islands enjoy all year round puts the final touch to an all-around attractive package, leading visitors to the islands in droves.
Those lucky enough to visit at certain, specific times of year, however, will find yet another reason to enjoy their stay: the manifold events which, at regular intervals, fill each of the islands in the archipelago with colour, personality and an authentically Caribbean atmosphere.
Guests visiting St Lucia, and staying at resorts such as the renowned Cap Maison are in for a treat. The St Lucian locals put on a number of quaint, traditional festivals and celebrations throughout the year, any of which will undoubtedly delight tourists lucky enough to witness them.
June/July - Carnival
The first of these celebrations is Carnival, perhaps the most traditional of all St Lucian festivities. Marked by masquerade parades, beauty pageants, and performances by calypso, soca and steel bands (for that unique Caribbean twist), the St Lucian carnival brightens up the months of June and July. The events will certainly delight guests staying in resorts such as Cap Maison during that peak period.
The highlight of the Carnival usually takes place in July, but the preparations start well beforehand. Contestants in the beauty pageant and the masquerades are given the themes for their costumes, and immediately form into camps in order to work on them. At the same time, bands begin a cycle of warm-up gigs to ensure their skills are well honed on the big day. After all, only one artist can be crowned soca and calypso monarch!
Guests wishing to partake in the Carnival celebrations in full are advised to arrive in St Lucia at least a week before the climax of the event, so that they can join in all the peripheral concerts and parades as well.
The Flower Festivals - August/October
August and October mark the dates for two other of St Lucia's main yearly events: the flower festivals. For these particular festivities, the streets of the island are given an added layer of colour through the efforts of two competing flower societies, who each put on their own separate festival of Creole poetry and culture.
The August festival, known as the festival of St. Rose de Lima, is organised by the La Rose Flower Society, whilst the October Feast of St. Mary Margaret Alacocque is the responsibility of the Les Marguerite flower society. Both allow tourists staying at Cap Maison, or another of the island's major resorts, to become acquainted with the Creole language and culture, through song, poetry, parades and traditional religious services.
The Jazz Festival - May
Taking place in May, the Jazz Festival is the last of the main yearly events likely to entice guests staying at resorts like Cap Maison. Although rather more straightforward and €westernized' than the other two events described, this festival still provides guests with the opportunity to see some of the main names in both the Caribbean and international jazz scenes. Visitors will also have the opportunity to sample great local food and enjoy the balmy weather, to a soundtrack of jazz, blues and lounge pop.
It is clear, then, that tourists visiting the island from May through October will be treated to an extra attraction factor, in the form of any of these highly popular events.
Those lucky enough to visit at certain, specific times of year, however, will find yet another reason to enjoy their stay: the manifold events which, at regular intervals, fill each of the islands in the archipelago with colour, personality and an authentically Caribbean atmosphere.
Guests visiting St Lucia, and staying at resorts such as the renowned Cap Maison are in for a treat. The St Lucian locals put on a number of quaint, traditional festivals and celebrations throughout the year, any of which will undoubtedly delight tourists lucky enough to witness them.
June/July - Carnival
The first of these celebrations is Carnival, perhaps the most traditional of all St Lucian festivities. Marked by masquerade parades, beauty pageants, and performances by calypso, soca and steel bands (for that unique Caribbean twist), the St Lucian carnival brightens up the months of June and July. The events will certainly delight guests staying in resorts such as Cap Maison during that peak period.
The highlight of the Carnival usually takes place in July, but the preparations start well beforehand. Contestants in the beauty pageant and the masquerades are given the themes for their costumes, and immediately form into camps in order to work on them. At the same time, bands begin a cycle of warm-up gigs to ensure their skills are well honed on the big day. After all, only one artist can be crowned soca and calypso monarch!
Guests wishing to partake in the Carnival celebrations in full are advised to arrive in St Lucia at least a week before the climax of the event, so that they can join in all the peripheral concerts and parades as well.
The Flower Festivals - August/October
August and October mark the dates for two other of St Lucia's main yearly events: the flower festivals. For these particular festivities, the streets of the island are given an added layer of colour through the efforts of two competing flower societies, who each put on their own separate festival of Creole poetry and culture.
The August festival, known as the festival of St. Rose de Lima, is organised by the La Rose Flower Society, whilst the October Feast of St. Mary Margaret Alacocque is the responsibility of the Les Marguerite flower society. Both allow tourists staying at Cap Maison, or another of the island's major resorts, to become acquainted with the Creole language and culture, through song, poetry, parades and traditional religious services.
The Jazz Festival - May
Taking place in May, the Jazz Festival is the last of the main yearly events likely to entice guests staying at resorts like Cap Maison. Although rather more straightforward and €westernized' than the other two events described, this festival still provides guests with the opportunity to see some of the main names in both the Caribbean and international jazz scenes. Visitors will also have the opportunity to sample great local food and enjoy the balmy weather, to a soundtrack of jazz, blues and lounge pop.
It is clear, then, that tourists visiting the island from May through October will be treated to an extra attraction factor, in the form of any of these highly popular events.