February has welcomed the verbal launching of the 2026 St. Lucia Carnival season, marked also by the marketing of pre-carnival fringe events.
The conversation this year is not vastly different from what obtained in 2025, with revelers and carnival band leaders and supporters calling for much more time on the road and at organized band fetes. In recent years, revelers on carnival Monday and Tuesday, have had to get their fun and enjoyment before a 7pm cut off point administered by the Royal St. Lucia Police Force. Additionally, the apparent 2am shut off time for carnival fetes has attracted more disdain for the island’s authorities.
Band leaders and administrators have taken to social media to express their dissatisfaction, making comparisons with situations that exist in Dominica and Trinidad and Tobago carnival. One of their key arguments is that both those territories boast longer party time, street and fete, because of heightened security and police presence and that we must do the same.
How much is one life worth? Is this question premature in this discussion? Let’s continue.
It is a fact that measures were installed during local mass crowd events largely because of the rising violent crimes at night time events. It seemed, as some online have recognized, that sadistic behaviour spawns at sunset. Others online have suggested that these decisions to trim the fete and jump-up times were made because the police have chosen the easy, lazy path and refuse to work later hours.
In the years leading up to the decision to trim the times at Vaval events the island experienced and recorded increased violent activity during the carnival season almost as if the occasion was being used as cover for nefarious activity. In the process numerous young lives were lost. At the time all of St. Lucia agreed that something had to be done to curb the growing unwanted trend.
The supporters for the relaxation of the time restrictions have cited the fact that Dominica and more so Trinidad and Tobago are not without incident during the carnival season, yet they enjoy more playing time than we do.
If we agree that trimming the late night off carnival events may have saved some lives, can we then agree that a few hours is a small price to pay for a life?
It would be reckless to suggest that carnival lovers and band leaders are willing to sacrifice a few lives for the fun and enjoyment of the rest, however, if we are clamouring for a return to times past particularly in this volatile time, isn’t that what we are saying?
If we must be honest, the issue of misbehaviour during the Vaval season is not restricted to criminal elements. Revellers themselves or at the least, individuals posing as revellers, have done themselves no justice.
It is therefore a bit disingenuous to attempt to castigate the police or individuals supporting the curtailed times, many of whom are former revellers.
The Carnival Bands Association and the other entities responsible for the staging of St. Lucia Carnival probably need a reset and install a proper plan to fully exploit the allotted time.
And by the way, as the vaval lovers clamour for extended hours, should not the citizens who wish to rest in comfort at their homes at night not also be considered?