Grenada Spicemas is one of the most talked-about carnivals among seasoned carnival veterans — and one of the least known to first-timers. That gap is precisely what makes it special.
If you want to experience Caribbean carnival in a form that feels raw, joyful and genuinely community-rooted, Spicemas belongs on your list.
When Is Spicemas?
Grenada Spicemas takes place in August, typically culminating in the second week of the month. The official Road March (Parade of the Bands) falls on the Monday and Tuesday before the Emancipation Day public holiday.
2026 dates: Road March on 10–11 August 2026.
Key events run across the preceding two weeks — J'ouvert, Pretty Mas, pageants and fetes begin well before the final Monday and Tuesday.
What Makes Spicemas Different?
Several things set Spicemas apart from larger Caribbean carnivals:
Jab Jab. The Jab Jab tradition — where revellers paint themselves in oil, chocolate, mud or molasses and dance through the streets in a raw, ancestral form of mas — is most powerfully expressed in Grenada. If you have seen footage of thousands of oil-covered people dancing under the Caribbean sun, that is Jab Jab at Spicemas. It is one of the most visceral and meaningful carnival experiences in the region.
Scale. Spicemas is smaller than Trinidad or Barbados carnival. That is a feature, not a bug. You are in the road, part of something — not watching from behind a barrier. The community is visible. The artists are accessible.
Authenticity. Spicemas has not been fully packaged for mass international tourism. It retains a local heartbeat that larger carnivals sometimes lose as they grow.
Jab Jab: What to Know
Jab Jab (from the French diable — devil) is a masquerade tradition with deep roots in the post-slavery history of the Caribbean. Participants cover themselves in oil, grease, mud, chocolate or paint and move through the streets in a large group. It is loud, physical, joyful and loaded with meaning.
If you want to participate:
- Wear old clothes you are prepared to throw away afterwards
- Bring a change of clothes in a sealed bag kept at your accommodation
- Be prepared to get covered — this is not optional
- Sunglasses protect your eyes from oil splashes
Jab Jab takes place on J'ouvert morning (typically the Monday before Road March). It starts in the early hours and runs until mid-morning.
Playing Mas at Spicemas
If you want to play mas (wear a costume and parade in the Road March), you register with a mas band. The main bands in Grenada include Fantasy Jouvert, Island Dreams and Xplosion. Costume prices are generally more affordable than Trinidad or Barbados — expect to pay approximately £180–£350 for a section.
Registration for popular sections typically opens 6–9 months before the event. Follow the bands on social media to catch registration dates.
Getting to Grenada
Grenada's Maurice Bishop International Airport is served by direct flights from London (British Airways and TUI), New York, Toronto and other Caribbean islands. August is high season so book early — direct flights from the UK typically run £600–£900 return if booked several months ahead.
Where to Stay
St George's (the capital) and Grand Anse (the beach strip south of the city) are the main accommodation areas. Grand Anse is the tourist hub — beaches, restaurants and easy access to transport. St George's puts you closer to the carnival action.
Book accommodation 4–6 months ahead for Spicemas weekend. Guesthouses and small hotels offer good value compared to larger Caribbean destinations.
What to Pack
- Old clothes for Jab Jab (expect to ruin them)
- Your mas costume (collect from band headquarters before Road March)
- Comfortable trainers for the road march
- Small waterproof bag or thigh pouch for your phone and cash
- Sunscreen, lip balm, hydration tablets
Is Spicemas Safe?
Yes. Grenada is one of the safer islands in the Caribbean and Spicemas is a community event with local policing and event security. The usual festival precautions apply — keep valuables minimal, stay with your group at night events, and use hotel-recommended taxis rather than unmarked vehicles.
The Verdict
Spicemas is the carnival you go to when you are ready to go deeper. It is not the biggest, but it might be the most memorable. The Jab Jab alone is worth the trip.
Visit the TriniTravels carnival calendar to see Spicemas alongside every other Caribbean carnival and plan your full season.