Spicemas 2026 Guide
Come Celebrate Grenada’s Most Exciting Festival, Spicemas
Spicemas in Grenada should be at the top of your travel list if you want to go to a Caribbean carnival like no other. Every August, the island becomes a world of energy, culture, and nonstop celebration thanks to the fetes, music, colors, pounding soca rhythms, bright costumes, and, yes, the oil. Spicemas is the perfect mix of getting to know the island and having your own home base for people who are renting a vacation home there.
This guide will help you get ready for an unforgettable Spicemas 2026 holiday in beautiful Grenada, West Indies. You can dance until dawn at J’ouvert, jump with your favorite mas band on Carnival Tuesday, or enjoy a mix of nature and culture between events
What is a Fetes
In the Caribbean and within the global Carnival community, the term “fête” refers to a large, high-energy party or concert associated with the Carnival season. These events are integral to the cultural experience leading up to the main parade days.
- Characteristics: These are often intense, ticketed parties (which can be “all-inclusive” with premium food and drinks, “drinks-inclusive,” or “cooler fetes” where you bring your own alcohol).
- Atmosphere: They are known for vibrant music (soca, calypso, dancehall), dancing, and massive crowds celebrating late into the night or starting before dawn (as with J’ouvert).
When does Spicemas 2026 happen?
Spicemas isn’t just a two-day carnival; it’s a cultural season that officially starts in April and lasts for five months. In the first few months, there are parties, band launches, traditional masquerade parades, and shows of famous characters like:
- Vieux Corps: “old body” is most commonly used to refer to a traditional carnival character, which means “dead body” in French, and a former French military unit made up of regiments from border provinces. The term can also mean the visible signs and changes in the body that happen as it gets older.
- Jab Jab: Jab jab is a traditional masquerade in Grenadian and Caribbean culture. It is a strong symbol of freedom, resistance, and the end of slavery for Black people.
- Moko Jumbies: A traditional stilt walkers that come from West African traditions and are found all over the Caribbean. They are famous figures at Carnival and other cultural festivals, and they stand for spiritual protection and a link to ancestors.
- Shortknee: A unique and colourful traditional masquerade in Grenada’s Spicemas Carnival, known for its vibrant costumes, rhythmic movements, and acapella chants. The name refers to the distinctive trousers that end just below the knee..
The big finish happens on Carnival Monday and Tuesday in early August, when soca trucks drive through the streets and people in costumes dance from sunrise to sunset.
When to Start Making Plans for Your 2026 Spicemas Trip
The sooner, the better.
Spicemas is Grenada’s busiest time of year, and hotels, flights, and costumes sell out months in advance. You have more freedom when you stay in a vacation rental than when you stay in a hotel. You have more space, a kitchen, privacy, and better access to local neighborhoods. But even rentals fill up quickly.
If you want to do something, start planning at least 6 to 9 months in advance.
- A costume: essential for “playing mas” (masquerading) in the 2026 carnival, featuring both vibrant, elaborate modern designs and traditional cultural characters rooted in history and folklore.
- Fete tickets: high-energy parties, often associated with Carnival celebrations. “Fête tickets” are essential for entry to these popular, often exclusive, events.
- A vacation rental home: St. George’s or the areas around it are good places to go to and from different events and attractions, and it’s easy to find restaurants and bars there. Our affordable accommodations in Mt. Parnassus and other recommendations Beachside Way, Coconut Creek
Follow the Spicemas Corporation for official news that can be helpful to visitors planning to be a part of Spicemas 2026.
How long should you book your stay in Grenada?
7 to 14 Days is the best amount of time to fully enjoy Grenada and the carnival. This gives you time to enjoy:
- Soca Monarch 2026: The highly anticipated annual music competition in Grenada (part of the Spicemas festival) where artists battle for two prestigious titles: Groovy Soca Monarch and Power Soca Monarch.
- Competition for panorama steel pans 2026: The annual event where steel orchestras compete for the championship title during the Spicemas festival. They do this by playing complicated arrangements of popular calypso or soca songs.
- Calypso Monarch 2026: A major event during Spicemas carnival, where artists perform songs with witty, potent lyrics, often offering social and political commentary. The winner earns one of the most prestigious titles in the national festival.
- Monday Night Mas 2026: A one-of-a-kind and exciting event during Spicemas, when the streets of St. George’s, become a colorful “parade of lights.”
- J’ouvert 2026: The official pre-dawn street party that starts the last two days of Spicemas.
- Carnival 2026: The grand finale and main event of Grenada’s Spicemas festival, filled with the most elaborate and colorful parade
- Parade of the Bands: The best part of Spicemas, Thousands of people in colorful costumes, called masqueraders or “mas” players, parade through the streets.
- Pretty Mas 2026: .The main parade on Carnival Tuesday is the most spectacular and visually stunning part of Carnival. It is the most important part of the festival, which is known for its beautiful costumes, music, and festive mood.
- Carnival 2026: The grand finale and main event of Grenada’s Spicemas festival, filled with the most elaborate and colorful parade
Can’t afford to spend that much time! You can visit for four days. You can arrive on Sunday, do J’ouvert on Monday morning, Carnival on Monday and Tuesday, and fly out on Wednesday. Just be ready for very, very, little sleep and a whole lot of fun.
Flying to Spicemas 2026
Your adventure begins with a flight into the Maurice Bishop International Airport (GND), the island’s main international hub.
For the best experience and value, savvy travelers know that early planning is key. Airlines are expected to open their booking windows for the Spicemas 2026 season in October or November. Mark your calendar! This is the perfect time to snag the most competitive fares before they rise. Set up price alerts and be ready to book to ensure your spot at the Caribbean’s most exhilarating festival.
Start Monitoring Fares: Begin checking prices in October – January 2026.
Prime Booking Window: The best deals for international travel are typically found 8-10 months in advance. Aim to book between November and February 2026.
Set Price Alerts: Use tools like Google Flights, Skyscanner, or Hopper to track prices for your desired route. Prices will spike as the festival draws closer.
Major Airlines & Common Routes:
You’ll likely have at least one connection. Major carriers that serve GND include:
American Airlines: Hub in Miami (MIA).
JetBlue: Hub in New York (JFK) and connections via San Juan (SJU).
Delta Air Lines: Hub in Atlanta (ATL).
Caribbean Airlines: Hub in Kingston (KIN) or Port of Spain (POS).
British Airways: Direct from London (LGW).
Air Canada: Direct from Toronto (YYZ).
Common routing examples:
From the US: New York (JFK) -> Grenada (GND) or Miami (MIA) -> Grenada (GND)
From Canada: Toronto (YYZ) -> Grenada (GND)
From the UK: London (LGW) -> Grenada (GND)
Key Pre-Travel Checklist:
Accommodation: Book this even before your flight! Hotels and villas in Grenada, especially in the St. George’s and Grand Anse areas, sell out over a year in advance for Spicemas. This is crucial.
Travel Documents: Ensure your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your planned departure date from Grenada.
By following this expanded plan, travelers will be well-prepared to secure the best possible travel arrangements for an unforgettable Spicemas experience. Thank you for providing such a helpful and accurate foundation
How to Get Around During Spicemas
There are a lot of local buses and taxis that you can use to get around. You can also rent a car to have more freedom when your ready to tour the island, but parking on the street can be hard to find during festival events. Many places to go in St. George’s are in the center of the city, so walking is an option:
- Book your transportation in advance or hire a private car service.
- Get to big events early.
- If you rent a car, be ready for traffic that moves slowly and not much parking.
Staying in a vacation rental close to St. George’s, Grand Anse, or the Carnival route can cut down on the time it takes to get to events by a lot. We recommend our affordable vacation rentals of course, that are just minutes from the Spicemas attractions.
To fully immerse in SpiceMas, think about joining a mas band before you go. SummerCrew and Lavish are two local bands that offer different packages for the parades. These packages include costumes, drinks, food, and security. Contact these bands through their websites to make sure you can play.
Things to Do During Spicemas Besides the Fetes
You might think Spicemas is the best part of your trip, but Grenada has a lot more to offer.
Check out the Island
In between events, take time for:
- Fort Frederick: One of Grenada’s best-preserved and most important military fortifications. It is best known for its unique “backward-facing” design and stunning views of St. George’s and the island from all sides.
- River Antoine Estate Rum Distillery: a historic and functional rum distillery in Grenada that has been operating since 1785. Located in the northeastern parish of St. Patrick, it is considered the oldest water-powered rum distillery in the Caribbean.
- The tour concludes with tasting of Rivers Rum, known for its high alcohol content (up to 75% ABV) and potent, funky flavor profile.
- River Antoine Estate Rum Distillery: a historic and functional rum distillery in Grenada that has been operating since 1785. Located in the northeastern parish of St. Patrick, it is considered the oldest water-powered rum distillery in the Caribbean.
- Belmont Estate: A working plantation and agro-tourism attraction in the northern parish of St. Patrick, Grenada. It dates back to the 17th century, Know it for its organic farming methods, its historic grounds, and its chocolate-making experience from tree to candy bar.
- Grand Etang National Park: A protected area in the middle of Grenada that is centered around a volcanic crater lake called Grand Etang. It is a tropical rainforest with lots of plants and animals. It is one of the island’s most popular attractions thanks to it’s great, hiking, and wildlife viewing..
- Molinière Underwater Sculpture Park: A famous ecological art installation and protected marine area off the west coast of Grenada. It has more than 75 sculptures that are underwater in Molinière Bay. These sculptures make the bay an underwater art gallery and an artificial reef.
Grenada vacation rentals make it easy to store your gear, prepare picnic meals, and unwind after long days of adventure.
Go to Panorama or Soca Monarch
People who have never been to these competitions before love the music.
Soca King: A high-energy battle between Grenada’s best soca artists, with big stage effects, dancers, fireworks, and people in the crowd. Power soca shows are known to get thousands of fans’ hearts racing at once.
Panorama: conventional steel bands, some with up to 100 musicians, compete for the championship title.
Attend Fetes
There are parties for every mood, from fancy all-inclusive events to laid-back beach parties:
Special Events
- Pinknic: a fancy, high-end, all-inclusive party that happens every year during the Grenada Spicemas Carnival season. Anyone attending this event have to buy tickets. During the day, the atmosphere is like a chic picnic, and at night, it’s like a lively party.
- Pier 57: Grenada’s best event space, located in Grand Mal, just north of the capital city of St. George’s. It is not a restaurant that is open every day; instead, it is a place for private events and special events that are open to the public.
- Ultra Gold: all-inclusive fête held during Spicemas at the Pier 57 event venue in Grand Mal, Grenada.
Try Grenada’s national dish, oil down.
Oil Down: The national dish of Grenada, which is a one-pot dish. When you slow-cook a rich mix of local vegetables, starches, salted meat, and chicken in a thick, turmeric-infused coconut milk broth, the liquid will get thicker and only the coconut oil will stay at the bottom of the pot. No Spicemas trip is complete without it. It’s seasonal and best cooked by locals, so if you can get it while your at Spicemas, don’t miss out.
Expect fancy food, themed decorations, and a glamorous crowd. Fetes often change their name and specific theme each year while maintaining a high-end, all-inclusive concept.
Where the Spicemas parties at?
Boat Cruises: There’s a wide variety to choose from including Rum Boat
Legend Killa Day: Witness the unparalleled performance of Mr. Killa as he takes the stage and will leave you in awe. With his electrifying performances and show-stopping acts.
Traditional community fetes: A highlight of Cretan culture is the traditional fetes, where the island’s long-standing traditions, music, dance, and warm hospitality take center stage
Monday Night Mas: another parade on Monday that usually goes from the evening to 2 or 3 a.m. It’s like a glow parade, and some bands sell packages. We missed it, but we heard it’s always a good time.
No matter which one you pick, you’ll dance, jump, and sweat in the Spicemas way.
The J’Ouvert Magic
J’Ouvert (means daybreak in french) is a messy, chaotic, emotional, and very cultural event. Participants cover their skin with black oil, charcoal, or paint and act like Jab Jab, which is a form of rebellion based on freedom and emancipation.
Jab Jab is a mix of resistance, community, and celebration, and Grenadians welcome visitors from all over the world to join in the fun. It starts before dawn and sends a wave of drumming, chains, helmet with horns, don’t be surprised at the other additions you may see along the way.
Which Band Should you Play With?
To fully immerse in SpiceMas, think about joining a mas band before you go. SummerCrew and Lavish are two local bands that offer different packages for the parades. These packages include costumes, drinks, food, and security. Contact these bands through their websites to make sure you can play.
Spicemas Budget
You can have a great time at the Spicemas Festival no matter your budget. Smart travelers can save a lot of money by booking their flights and hotels well in advance, but the real magic is often in the extras. Diving into the full range of activities and getting a colorful costume, even if it costs more, is what makes a simple visit an unforgettable, real experience.
| Category | Typical range (USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | $100-400/night | Varies by location and hotel type |
| Flights | $500-1,500 | Round trip from major US cities |
| Costume | $300-1100 | Depending on the band and style |
| Food & Drinks | $30-60/day | Varies by dining choice |
| Fetes | $15-120 | Depending on the events |
Grenada Currency
Spicemas Events Tips
- Bring clothes that you don’t mind ruining.
Especially for J’Ouvert, because oil stains everything. Bring old clothes, old shoes, and a case for your phone that protects it.
- A sponge, dish soap, and baby oil or vaseline
Use vaseline/baby oil on your skin prior to the Jab Jab oil. This is how Grenadians get rid of Jab Jab oil. A scrub with beach sand and dish soap, then a shower, works great.
- A sponge, dish soap, and baby oil or vaseline
- Drink water all the time
The rum in Grenada is strong, the sun is hotter than you think, and the parties last all night. Water and ice are your best friends.
- Expect to get very little sleep
Carnival is a long race, not a short one. Keep going with the soca music.
- Take a dip in the beach
A visit to the beach afterwards which was therapeutic and help with the breakdown of Jab jab oil.
- Take a dip in the beach
Most places take USD, but change is usually in Eastern Caribbean Dollars (EC/XCD). Plan ahead because many Carnival events and local businesses prefer cash. Travelers from the United States, Canada, the UK, or Europe will benefit from a favorable exchange rate when converting their currency into Eastern Caribbean dollars.
- Note: Some local businesses exchange $1usd at $2.50ec, local banks offer $1usd at $2.67ec.
- Note: Local businesses and banks do not except heavily warn or torn US Dollars.
Turn Your Vacation Rental into your Spicemas Base
Having your own Airbnb or vacation rental home during Spicemas makes things go more smoothly and comfortably, You should do your own research to find places that fit your budget and taste. When coming to Grenada for Spicemas, you should book your hotel as soon as you can.:
- Vacation homes are ideal for groups of friends or families traveling together, offering multiple bedrooms, shared living areas, and kitchens.
- Splitting the cost of a large home is often more economical than booking multiple hotel rooms, especially during the peak carnival season when hotel prices surge.
- Staying in a neighborhood allows you to experience the daily life and rhythm of Grenada beyond the main tourist areas.
- A vacation home provides the comfort and convenience of a fully equipped kitchen, laundry facilities, and a personalized living space.
- A central base is great for getting ready on your own time, storing costumes, and arranging transportation to different Spicemas events.
- Vacation flats offer private spaces to relax, retreat from the noise of the carnival, and host small gatherings without hotel restrictions.
Whether you’re traveling as a couple, family, or group of friends, a Grenada vacation rental lets you enjoy Spicemas with more freedom and convenience than a hotels, resorts, and boutiques. Truthfully, this isn’t an inexpensive experience, but the key is to plan ahead. That way, you can spread out payments and not feel the burden in one hit. Like any major event around the world, prices increase during Spicemas.
Spicemas isn’t a cheap experience, but the most important thing is to plan beforehand. This way, you can make payments over time and not feel the weight all at once. at Spicemas, prices go up much like they do at any big event worldwide.