Lucian Carnival is gearing up for an electrifying finale this weekend and into early next week, culminating in the highly anticipated Parade of the Bands on Carnival Monday and Tuesday.
The organizers have announced that a total of 10 bands, accompanied by over 7,000 revelers, will participate in the Lucian Carnival – Parade of the Bands.
On Monday’s public holiday and on Tuesday, the participating bands will kick off from the Mega J base at Choc, proceed along the John Compton Highway, through Vigie, and into the vibrant streets of Castries.
The parade is due to begin at 10.00 a.m. on both days at the Choc Roundabout. The 10 participating bands include Xuvo Carnival Band, Fuzion Mas, Tribe of Twell, Xpressions Carnival Band, Island Tribe Carnival Band, Royalities Xtreme Carnival Band, Just 4 Fun, Pheonix Carnival Band, Legends Carnival Band, and Insonmeil Carnival Band.
Parade Route
The parade will begin at the Choc Roundabout and proceed south, using the southbound lanes toward the Vigie Roundabout. From there, it will turn right onto the John Compton Highway into the city.
The bands will then turn left at the junction of Baptiste Street for judging near Anchorage. Next, they will make a right onto Darling Road, a right onto Jeremie Street, a left onto Peynier Street, a right onto Micoud Street, a right onto Manoel Street, a right onto Jeremie Street, and finally a left onto the John Compton Highway, returning to the Choc Roundabout.
This week, the 2K25 festivities ignited with a series of dynamic private fetes, most notably the popular and fan-favorite Color Me Red entertainment blitz at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground (DSCG) on Friday.
Stakeholders of the Color Me Red event celebrated its 20th anniversary with enthusiasm, featuring one of the region’s premier soca groups—Kes the Band—as the headlining act.
In the wider entertainment landscape, the iconic Color Me Red (CMR) is recognized as one of the biggest fetes during Lucian Carnival, and was this year themed: The Greatest Love. CMR showcased various shades of love through music, culminating in a spectacular finale by one of soca’s most electrifying acts, Kes the Band, alongside a dynamic lineup of top Lucian artists.
Additionally, the Vieux Fort Carnival Association successfully hosted its ‘southern carnival’ festivities earlier this week, featuring colorful displays from bands and spirited revelers on the road.
Participants included:
– Phoenix – Band of the Year
– FER D’ilis
– LAVISH Carnival Band
– Southern Invasion
Organizers also incorporated two ‘Day of Peace’ moments to honor the occasion.
Furthermore, the 2025 King and Queen of the Bands competition on Monday (July 14) delivered an unforgettable showcase of artistry, displaying 18 magnificent costumes, comprising 9 queens and 9 kings.
This competition is one of the most visually stunning events on the Lucian Carnival calendar, featuring costumes soaring over 30 feet in a breathtaking parade of history, myth, and fantasy.
The results were as follows:
Queen of the Band
| Rank | Carnival Band | Portrayal | Carrier | Score | |
| Winner | Tribe of Twel | Madame Vaval | Sharon Tanner | 431 | |
| 1st Runner- Up | Tribe of Twel | La Wenn La Woz | Safiya Paul | 411 | |
| 2nd Runner- Up | Xuvo | Angel of Twilight | Maier Sifflet | 409 | |
| 3rd Runner-Up | Fuzion | Zariah | Rosemary Paris | 365 | |
King of the Band
| Rank | Carnival Band | Portrayal | Carrier | Score | |
| Winner | Tribe of Twel | Unto Us A Child is Born | Jordan Augier | 453 | |
| 1st Runner- Up | Xuvo | Ghost of Mas Past – Spirit of Mas Future | Lamar Sifflet | 409 | |
| 2nd Runner- Up | Xpressions | Papa Djab “Toes” | Cedrick Laurent | 408 | |
| 3rd Runner-Up | Xuvo | Anti-Angel of Rebellion | Jahn Sifflet | 398 | |
Carnival stakeholders confirm that the public will have another chance to view the remarkable costumes from this year’s competition during the carnival revelry and the street parade of bands.
Stay tuned for the full list of winners of the King and Queen of the Bands competition.