Caribbean Week New York 2019

Now you can experience the Caribbean a little closer to home!

Delectable Caribbean cuisine, enlightening workshops, and rhythmic live music. All those thing will be part of this year’s Caribbean Week event in New York. According to the Caribbean Current, the annual event is “a celebration of the sights, sounds, color, culture and unique vacation experiences of the Caribbean.”

Organized by the Caribbean Tourism Organization, the week-long affair brings celebrity chefs, musicians, fashion designers, and big names in the tourism industry together for spectacular shows, contests, and workshops.

When to go and what to see

June 1st – June 9th 2019

This year, Caribbean Week New York begins on Saturday, June 1st. Local politicians will participate in the official opening and ribbon cutting ceremony. That same day, events kick off with a cricket match at Idlewild Cricket Grounds in Queens, followed by a Caribbean Celebrity Chef cooking demonstration at Bloomingdales. In addition, you can attend a church service and a Caribbean fashion show on Sunday. Monday’s highlight is the tourism industry forum, in which experts and industry representatives will discuss media marketing in tourism. However, this event isn’t open to the general public.

Other interesting events throughout the week include a Caribbean Students Colloquium. In this workshop, young people will present sustainable tourism projects.

Finally, you can’t miss the Rum and Rhythm Benefit on Saturday. It’s a rum, food and entertainment experience that’s not just a posh party! It’s a fundraiser to provide scholarships to Caribbean nationals who wish to study tourism, hospitality, or languages. So, if you decide to join in on the fun, you’ll also be supporting a great cause! This year, the headliner will be Skinny Fabulous from St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Get tickets for the Rum and Rhythm Benefit here. Note: the dress code is described as “elegant” because of the nature of the venue (no t-shirts and sneakers).

Caribbean Social Media Influencers Awards

This year, the CTO will introduce an additional category to the Caribbean Travel Media Awards, which are to be presented on June 6th at the Travel Industry Awards Dinner. In order to pay tribute to of the growing number of social media influencers “who contribute to telling the Caribbean’s story”, the CTO has created the “I Have Influence” award. In addition, an award will be presented to the “Best Caribbean Travel Blog Posting” .

See information about the “I Have Influence” and “Best Caribbean Travel Blog Posting” here.

Past Caribbean Week New York Highlights

Caribbean Week New York has brought Caribbean excitement and charm to New York City since 2003. In 2017, Chef Andre Fowles of Jamaica and Bahamas chef Max Hardy wowed the crowds at the free celebrity chef event. Trinidadian and Tobagonian string-playing duo Janelle and Janine Xavier delighted guests with violin renditions of traditional Caribbean songs during the Rum and Rhythm Benefit. Golden Krust headlined 2018’s Rum and Rhythm Benefit.

If you’re in the New York area (or wish to drive or fly in), don’t miss this chance to experience the sights, sounds, and flavors of the Caribbean, all a little closer to home!

Main image credit: Caribbean Current

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