Trinidad and Tobago’s Greatest Show on Earth has, for years, been a tourist attraction. With 100 days to go before the two-day street parade in Port-of-Spain, the excitement is steadily building and with momentum, the National Carnival Commission is moving full speed ahead.

Carnival 2026 will be publicly launched at the Brian Lara Promenade on Friday, November 7th. The NCC, in a media release said the spectacle will begin at 9am and go through the day, transforming the city’s hub into an active thoroughfare featuring all things T&T carnival. Th event will feature traditional Carnival characters, informative workshops and exhibitions, a mini concert from reigning Panorama champions, Republic Bank Exodus Steel Orchestra, and much more. “In bringing Carnival to the city, we’re hoping to bring people to the city to come out and show their support for the culture, for the NCC, the Special Interest Groups, the vendors and small business community, and the Regional Carnivals because we’re all part of Trinidad and Tobago Carnival,” said NCC Chairman, Peter Kanhai.

TEACHING THE YOUTH ABOUT CARNIVAL

This year, the NCC will introduce something they’re calling, “The Children’s Zone,” where school children and their parents and guardians will be able to experience a distinct youth-oriented energy to Trinidad and Tobago’s Carnival. The zone will feature cultural exhibitions, displays, giveaways and more, even offering youths the opportunity to pen a ‘Love Letter to Carnival.’ “School children would be invited to write what it is they love about Trinidad and Tobago Carnival for a mural that will be displayed at the Grand Stand, Queen’s Park Savannah for Carnival next year,” the press release explained.

At 4pm, a concert will engage the public with performances by Swappi, Terri Lyons, Orlando Octave, Ravi B, Drupatee, Shal Marshall, Erphaan Alves and other featured cultural acts.

Back in August, at the corporate launch of Carnival, Minister of Culture, the Arts and Community Development, Michelle Benjamin, shared her ministry’s vision for carnival.

What has been described by the National Hurricane Centre as the most catastrophic hurricane of 2026 – Hurricane Melissa, has moved past Jamaica and now moves onward to Cuba and neighboring territories. In the aftermath of the brutal natural disaster, videos across social media show fallen trees, massive swells, invasive water courses through streets and byways and certainly, infrastructural wreckage. The people of Jamaica, though resilient, are in need of strength and aid to rebuild.

The Bob Marley Foundation and the Bob Marley Museum, in a social media post said despite having gone through the hurricane, “we’re still standing.” The honorary organizations that stand in memory of Jamaica’s most loved icon, Bob Marley, relayed via social media, “The winds may have shaken us, but they could never break our spirit.” Noting that the journey to rebuild will not be an overnight one, the post read, “but together, we’ll rise again- stronger, more united and full of love.”

Consistent in the Marley legacy’s tone and posture of love and unity, the expression continued, “We can’t wait to spread the message of peace and love with you once more and help in whatever way we can. Until then, hold on to hope and remember – every little thing is gonna be alright.”

The government of Jamaica has created an official digital platform for information, and for the global community’s input where relief and assistance is concerned.

Visit https://supportjamaica.gov.jm. The website lists a preliminary needs list, which includes items such as batteries, bedding foam, flashlights, lanterns, mattresses, pillowcases, pillows, mobile storage units, heavy duty garbage bags and certainly much more.