Overview:
Haiti Carnival 2026 opened Sunday with full of life parades nationwide, that includes road bands, vibrant costumes, papier-mâché masks and 1000’s of revelers celebrating the beginning of the festivities. The normal celebrations start throughout a number of cities, together with Port-au-Prince, Cap-Haïtien, Port-de-Paix, Gonaïves and Jacmel, amongst others.
Haiti’s streets got here alive Sunday as the primary main parades of Carnival 2026 unfolded throughout Cap-Haïtien, Jacmel, Fort-Liberté and different main cities.
Bands pounded out rhythms that pulsed by way of the crowds, dancers moved in sync with brass and percussion, and brightly coloured costumes stuffed the streets with vitality. Households and pals lined parade routes, cheering and celebrating every efficiency.
From Cap-Haïtien’s historic boulevards to Jacmel’s seaside avenues, the air rang with drums, chachas and cowbells. Artisans showcased placing papier-mâché masks — daring, hand-shaped faces painted in vivid colours — whereas dancers in conventional and modern costumes carried out to the regular beat of marching bands.
In Fort-Liberté, parade teams superior by way of the city heart as residents cheered and recorded the festivities on their telephones. In Gonaïves, the opening day carried the acquainted sounds of percussion, whistles and applause that sign the beginning of Carnival season.
In Port-de-Paix, marching bands together with Polo Band, Roulo Band, Papayo Band and LouLou Band stuffed the streets as 1000’s gathered downtown. Regardless of organizational challenges and a citywide blackout that left components of the route in darkness, revelers continued dancing and following the bands by way of the primary corridors.
In Jacmel, carnivalgoers have gathered each weekend since Jan. 18. The festivities peaked Sunday as DJs, dance firms, artists and fashions paraded by way of the primary streets of the vacationer metropolis.
Throughout the north, northwest and south, the primary day of Carnival 2026 highlighted each the craftsmanship of costume makers and the deep native attachment to this annual cultural custom.
Onz Chéry, Edxon Francisque, Onès Joseph, and Kervenson Martial contributed to the story