What's Happening in Atlanta, GA…

Atlanta Caribbean Carnival takes place next month, bringing a history as a vibrant cultural celebration of music, art, and costumes.

Presented by the Atlanta Caribbean Carnival Bandleaders Association (ACCBA), the annual festival showcases the colors and sounds of Caribbean nations. Each year, the theme is based on a different country. For 2026, the focus will be on Haiti.

The festival began when a group representing different island nations was formed in the late 1980s. The members created the festival as a way to educate Atlanta residents about Caribbean heritage and culture. It later came under the direction of the ACCBA, which was designed to represent the masquerade bands participating in the festival. The association mentors those who work to make the iconic carnival costumes, and advocates for Caribbean art.

The three-day festival will include an opening J’ouvert, a traditional celebration in which people paint their bodies and dance in the streets. The showcase event of the weekend will be the four-hour Carnival Mas Parade, which will include many bands accompanied by large groups of masqueraders. The parade concludes at the Rodney Cook Sr. Park, where there will be food and music.

Participants in parades often use area banner printing services to highlight their group or organization.

The Atlanta Caribbean Carnival will be held May 22 to 24 in downtown Atlanta. Further details are available on the event website.