1 month ago
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The streets of Kingston came alive on Sunday in a dazzling display of feathers, music, and uncontainable energy as Carnival in Jamaica 2025 took over the city. For the Jamaica-based Yard Mas Carnival, a steady stream of revellers in local-centric costumes, spectators with flags waving high, and the infectious pulse of soca music mixed with that of our very own dancehall music, created an electric atmosphere that only carnival brings yearly.
Throughout the road march, The Gleaner caught up with returning Yard Mas reveller and dancehall artiste Stacious, who was full of praise for her carnival experience.
“This is my second year with Yard Mas, and I don’t foresee myself jumping with any other band,” she shared. “I realise Yard Mas gives the ultimate carnival experience ... everything a reveller could need, they provide. I’m so happy I’m jumping with them!”
Reflecting on the day’s highlights, Stacious said the best part was definitely “the vibe and the overall energy”.
“Everybody in Yard Mas seems like a family. Of course, the costumes are a highlight as well. Look how mi costume sidung like a mek dem mek it pon mi!”
To those who questions carnival and are missing out, Stacious had a simple message: “You just have to understand the sound, the energy, the rhythm, the vibe of carnival, and if you understand that, then Yard Mas is the place to get it.”
But beyond the costumes and glitz, Carnival in Jamaica is telling a bigger story — one of growth, economic impact, and a promising future.
Speaking with The Gleaner, Peter Mullings, deputy director of marketing at the Jamaica Tourist Board, emphasised how important carnival has become to the island’s tourism strategy.
“Carnival is huge for Jamaica,” Mullings shared. “To the extent that when we are putting together our events calendar for the year, carnival is positioned as one of the big-ticket items that we put in that position very early.”
When asked if carnival has plateaued in Jamaica, Mullings noted that there was a disruption in carnival due to the pandemic; however, tourism tied to carnival continues to grow year after year, especially after the disruption.
Out on the road, The Gleaner caught up with Shana Simson, a contestant in the 2013 Miss Jamaica World competition, and her friend Martin Lin, both seasoned carnival-goers who chose to walk on the sidelines with the Yard Mas band instead of jumping this year.
Both agreed that the surge in local and international spectators signals strong economic growth around carnival.
“The draw of carnival has always been Trinidad. And, in the last couple [of] years, Jamaica has taken over,” Lin stated boldly.
He continued, “I’m in real estate and all of the Airbnbs are sold out, all of the rentals are rented for this long. They’ve rented everything. There’s nothing in Kingston to rent right now. That tells you everything you need to know. And, since COVID, that’s how it has been the last couple [of] years.”
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