About - Baltimore Washington One Carnival

About Baltimore Washington ONE Carnival

Welcome to
Baltimore Washington ONE Carnival

The Baltimore Washington ONE CARNIVAL is an annual Caribbean-centric event that draws thousands of spectators and participants to Baltimore, Maryland and the surrounding areas.

Officially known as the Baltimore Washington One Carnival, 2025 marks this event's 44th year which is organized by the Caribbean American Carnival Association of Baltimore (CACAB) in conjunction with the DC Caribbean Carnival Committee (DCCC).

Carnival depicts Caribbean cultural expressions, historical significance, and most memorable the compelling performances by the masqueraders and the community marching bands.

Optimism and pride are the hallmarks that drive the Caribbean Festival, renowned for its colorful ethnic parade with creative and talented participants. Our efforts to promote our rich heritage and culture made the process of assimilation a much easier experience for Caribbean people. It created avenues and provides advertisement opportunities to sell and promote services that have an economic impact during the two-day weekend.

Thousands of residents and visitors line the street with great anticipation for the parade to lead them to the Festival site. In 2018 we had over 35,000 in attendance. Enjoy the historical sites and attractions, where you can discover the secrets of what makes Baltimore Great.

The Caribbean Carnival is sponsored, in part, by the Mayor of Baltimore City, and the Office of Promotions and the Arts. We hope you will join us this year for what promises to be one of the best festivals!

Throughout the Baltimore Washington One Carnival Festival, attendees get to enjoy live music and performances on stage and have access to plenty of mouth-watering Caribbean cuisine and a variety of arts & craft vendors.

FAQ’S

Questions

What should I expect to see at the parade?

The 3 mile parade features a stream of mas (short for masquerade) bands accompanied by flat-bed trucks equipped with sound-systems pumping out the latest in Caribbean music - soca, calypso and reggae. Each mas band boasts its own coordinated group of dancing revelers known as masqueraders dressed in eye-catching, elaborate costumes depicting a specific theme. Local steel pan bands, moko jumbies (dancing stilt walkers), 't-shirt' bands, and the popular mud mas (revelers who smear themselves with mud!) and paint 'n powder mas bands round-out the street party celebration. The parade is also a competition and the mas bands are judged on their creativity, costume design and the energy and participation of their masqueraders. The Baltimore Washington One Carnival parade is a free, public event for spectators.
I'd like to wear a costume during the parade, what should I do?

If you're interested in wearing a costume and being a part of the parade, please review the Mas Bands to contact individual Mas Band Leaders to arrange for the purchase of a costume.
How do I register a band to be a part of the parade?

If you would like to showcase your group or organization's creativity and form a mas band and be a part of this year's parade, please download the Band Registration Kit. Only registered bands are authorized to participate in the Baltimore Carnival parade.