2012 Charleston Carifest Caribbean Carnival

'Play Mas' Caribbean Carnival is celebrated with a Carnival Street Parade, often referred to as a 'march'. Many of the Caribbean Islands celebrate Carnival year after year. The largest and most well known celebrations are held in Trinidad, Tobago, New York, and Toronto. In June 2012, you too can participate in this exciting, annual celebration right here in Charleston, South Carolina! Join us for three special days of fun filled festivities during the 2012 Charleston Carifest!

Carifest Symposium
June 14, 2012 from 6:00PM - 9:00PM 
Masquerade Fete 
June 15, 2012 from 7:00PM - Midnight 
Carnival Street Parade
June 16, 2012 at 3:00PM 
Carnival Finale: Caribbean Carnival Celebration in the Park
June 16, 2012 from 2:00PM - 8:30PM 
Carifest After Party at Tropix Bar & Grill
June 16, 2012 from 10:00PM - 2:00AM


The celebration begins on Thursday, June 14, 2012 with the Carifest Symposium at the Avery Institute, College of Charleston. This event is FREE so save the date today. The featured country for the 2012 festival is Jamaica! On Friday, June 15, 2012, the celebration continues with Masquerade Fete, a Mardi Gras party! This dinner & dance fundraiser supports the Carifest Children's Steel Band Project. This event will take place from 7PM - Midnight at the International Longshoreman's Hall which is located at 1142 Morrison Drive, Charleston, SC. The price for this event is $40.00 and tickets can be purchased at this website.

Finally, on June 16, 2012, the big event will finally arrive. This day full of fun includes a Carnival Street Parade, a Celebration in the Park, and a Carifest After Party! The parade starts at the Visitor's Center on Ann Street at 3:00PM. Enjoy the splendor of the Caribbean with colourful Revelers in beautiful costumes dancing to the beat of Reggae and Soca music as they make their way through the streets to Brittle Bank Park. If you would like to participate in the parade, you can email info@charlestoncarifest.com. The parade ends at the Carnival Celebration in the Park located at Brittle Bank Park, across from the Charleston Police Station. The Celebration in the Park starts at 2:00PM and ends at 8:30PM. Park Entry is $6.00 in advance and $10.00 at the door. Children under 12 years old are FREE! Join us at this event to celebrate Caribbean American Heritage Month. Enjoy cultural festivities including steel bands, Reggae / Soca Music, Caribbean dancers, Indian dancers, Caribbean Food, Drinks, Crafts, and more! As the Celebration in the Park comes to an end, round up your friends and head over to the Carifest After Party at Tropix Bar and Grill. 'Wine down and whine down' with your friends to end this spectacular day of Caribbean festivities. Visit the Charleston Carifest website for additional details about this exciting weekend coming up in June 2012 and get your tickets here.

We hope to see everyone there at this wonderful Charleston event. If you will be visiting us from out of town, we invite you to stay with one of our Charleston SC Events hotel partners. We look forward to your arrival!

Danielle Snyder
Charleston SC Events