How to celebrate 50 years of independence in Grenada

The tri-island state of Grenada recently marked its 50^th anniversary of independence on 7 February. The Spice Isle – as it's nicknamed due to the variety of spices it grows – kicked off its year-long celebratory programme with a spectacular Golden Jubilee Military parade, an event demonstrating the strength and unity of Grenada across the past five decades.

“One People, One Journey, One Future” is the theme of its anniversary year, delivering a jam-packed calendar of events that showcase its melting pot of culture and heritage. Whether you want to join the street parties of Spicemas, eye up local art or tuck into the island’s culinary delights, there’s so much to enjoy in Grenada in 2024. 

Here’s our pick of favourite festivals and exhibitions...

When: 20 April 2024

Grenada's sister isle of Carriacou has its own strong sense of identity. On 13 April, visitors will be able to immerse themselves in the unique culture of the island at an event named ‘This is us’. Located in the botanical gardens in Hillsborough, you’ll be able to learn more about the island’s local crafts, with art, jewellery and books available to browse and buy. We're also promised tasty culinary offerings too: expect to try dishes such as saraca, a traditional thanksgiving meal, and oil down, made with stewed breadfruit and meat.

When: 23 April-26 April 2024

Held annually at the end of April, this three-day long cultural celebration is rooted in African heritage and merges Carriacou Maroon Music Festival and Stringband Festival into one incredible event. The word 'Maroon' derives from the Spanish word cimarrón, meaning fugitive or runaway, after enslaved people from Africa managed to escape and live their lives in the mountains. During this time, the Maroons were praised for preserving their African cultural traditions, religion and language. Music, unsurprisingly, is a key part of the festival, with drumming and string band performances taking place alongside a style of dancing called quadrille. Another major part of the festival is Carriacou's signature smoked food, including rolled rice and variety of different cooked meats.

When: 17-19 May 2024

Away from Grenada’s intoxicating musical traditions, the island is also known for its chocolate heritage, dating back to the 1700s. It held its first chocolate festival in 2014, and ever since has celebrated it annually every May. The festival not only provides visitors and attendees a chance to enjoy a decadent treat, but for them to gain insight into the island’s tree-to-bar production process and meet the men and women behind the organic farming of the cocoa beans. Grenada has the ideal environment for growing cocoa, combining volcanic soil, lush rainforests and a balmy climate.

When: 15 February-30 April 2024

The community centre in St Paul’s will be hosting an immersive exhibition celebrating the work of renowned local artist Oliver Benoit. Painting for more than 35 years, Benoit began as a landscape and still life artist before venturing into more abstract territory, often using oils and acrylics in his work and also using audio and video installations to bring his visuals to life. Benoit’s masterpieces often explore socio-political themes, inspired by the landscape of his country and the Caribbean. Reflexion will display 60 pieces of his work that span across three decades, with the exhibition inviting community members and visitors to engage with and appreciate the various expressions of Grenadian identity. 

When: 7-14 August 2024

Although the highlight of Grenada’s festival calendar, Spicemas (also known as August Mas) is one of the Caribbean’s most underrated carnivals. For the one-week long celebration, the island comes to life with Soca and Calypso music (both inspired by African-Caribbean beats) and colourful processions. One of the carnival's key events is the unique street party of Jouvert (originating from jour ouvert in French, meaning daybreak). It sees people emerge before dusk to join traditional jab-jab bands parade through the town, following the beat of the steel drums and coated in black paint, oil or mud. But that’s far from all the action of Spicemas. From the launch day of the festival to the concluding Monday Nite Mas (held on Carnival Monday), one thing's for certain – you’re guaranteed to be immersed in Grenada’s vibrant culture and heritage.

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