Holiday Details
- Holiday Name
- Carnival Monday
- Country
- Dominica
- Date
- February 16, 2026
- Day of Week
- Monday
- Status
- 45 days away
- About this Holiday
- Carnival Monday is a public holiday in Dominica
Carnival Monday
Dominica • February 16, 2026 • Monday
45
Days
03
Hours
14
Mins
55
Secs
until Carnival Monday
America/Dominica timezone
About Carnival Monday
Also known as: Carnival Monday
Mas Domnik: Gid Konplè pou Lendi Gra nan Dominik
Lendi Gra nan peyi Dominik se pa sèlman yon jou nan kalandriye a; se nanm nasyon an ki eksprime tèt li nan yon fason ki pi fò, pi bèl, ak pi sovaj. Yo rele li "The Real Mas" (Vrè Mas la), paske kontrèman ak lòt kanaval nan Karayib la ki vin tounen gwo biznis komèsyal, kanaval Dominik la kenbe rasin li pwofondè nan istwa Afriken ak Franse nou yo. Se yon moman kote lari Roseau transfòme an yon teyat vivan kote chak moun se yon aktè, chak son se yon istwa, ak chak mouvman se yon selebrasyon libète.
Lendi Gra se premye gwo jou nan de jou bitasyon ki make pikwa sezon kanaval la anvan Mercredi des Cendres (Mèkredi Sann). Se yon jounen ki kòmanse nan fènwa douvanjou ak enèji J’Ouvert epi ki fini nan nwit la ak gwo kamyon mizik k ap souke vil la. Sa ki fè jou sa a espesyal se melanj pafè ant tradisyon ansyen yo—tankou moun ki abiye an Sensay oswa moun ki kouvri kò yo ak lwil nwa—ak modènite mizik Calypso ak Bouyon ki fè Dominik selèb nan lemonn antye. Se yon eksperyans kote yerachi sosyal disparèt; minis, kiltivatè, touris, ak timoun lekòl tout ap "jump-up" ansanm nan yon sèl kouran lajwa.
Kilè Lendi Gra ap fete nan lanne 2026?
Pou lanne 2026, dat la fikse pou:
Jou: Monday Dat: February 16, 2026 Tan k ap rete: Gen 44 jou ki rete anvan gwo fèt la kòmanse.
Dat Lendi Gra a se yon dat ki varye chak lanne. Li toujou tonbe lendi ki anvan Mèkredi Sann nan. Sistèm sa a baze sou kalandriye kretyen an, kote yo kalkile 40 jou (san konte dimanch) anvan Pak pou detèmine kòmansman Karèm nan. Se poutèt sa, kanaval la se dènye gwo eksplozyon plezi ak dekourajman anvan peryòd penitans ak jèn nan. Nan Dominik, dat sa a se nwayo tout planifikasyon nasyonal la, kote tout peyi a kanpe pou de jou pou onore kilti yo.
Istwa ak Orijin: Rasin "Vrè Mas" la
Istwa Lendi Gra nan Dominik se yon istwa rezistans ak kreyativite. Orijin li remonte nan epòk kolonyal la, kote mèt plantasyon franse yo te konn fè gwo bal ak fèt maskere anvan Karèm. Esklav yo, ki pa t gen dwa patisipe nan fèt sa yo, te kreye pwòp selebrasyon pa yo nan katye yo. Yo te itilize mask ak kostim non sèlman pou yo pran plezi, men tou pou yo moke mèt yo epi kenbe tradisyon espirityèl Afriken yo vivan.
Apre abolisyon esklavaj la nan lanne 1838, kanaval la te vin tounen yon senbòl libète total. Pandan ane yo, Dominik te goumen pou kenbe eleman tradisyonèl sa yo malgre presyon otorite relijye oswa gouvènman kolonyal yo ki te konn wè kèk pratik tankou "Lapo Kabwit" kòm bagay ki twò sovaj. Jodi a, lè ou wè yon moun abiye an Sensay nan lari Roseau nan Lendi Gra, ou pa jis wè yon kostim; ou ap gade yon tradisyon ki siviv plizyè syèk pou rakonte istwa yon pèp ki derefize bliye kote yo soti.
Dominik fyè dèske li rele kanaval li "The Real Mas" paske li pa t janm vann nanm li bay gwo mak entènasyonal yo nèt ale. Pandan ke lòt zile te chanje kostim pay yo pou plim ak briyan ki fèt nan faktori, Dominik toujou bay valè ak "Old Mas" la. Sa a se sa ki fè Lendi Gra a tèlman enpòtan pou idantite nasyonal la; se jou kote peyi a montre mond lan ke kilti li solid, li natif natal, epi li pa nan jwèt.
Kijan Moun Selebre: Yon Jounen San Repò
Selebrasyon Lendi Gra nan Dominik se yon marathon andirans ak lajwa. Li pa pou moun ki pè bri oswa moun ki vle rete pwòp. Men kijan jounen an dewoule nòmalman:
1. J’Ouvert: Douvanjou nan Roseau (4 AM – 6 AM)
Tout bagay kòmanse nan fènwa total. Depi 4 è nan maten, lari kapital la, Roseau, kòmanse vibre ak son "Lapo Kabwit". Sa yo se gwoup tanbou tradisyonèl ki sèvi ak po kabrit, kòn bœuf, ak fèy asye pou kreye yon ritm ki pèse kè ou. Moun yo soti nan kabann yo, anpil ladan yo toujou nan rad dòmi yo oswa kouvri ak labou, penti, ak chabon, pou yo "jump-up" nan lari a. J’Ouvert se pati ki pi espirityèl ak pi kri nan kanaval la. Se la ou santi koneksyon ak zansèt yo pandan foul la ap deplase tankou yon sèl kò nan fènwa a.2. Gwoup Hi-Fi ak Mizik Bouyon (6 AM – 8 AM)
Pandan solèy la ap leve, son tanbou yo kòmanse melanje ak gwo sistèm son (Hi-Fi) ki sou tèt gwo kamyon. Se lè sa a mizik Bouyon an, ki se mak fabrik Dominik, kòmanse domine. Atis lokal yo ap chante sou tèt kamyon yo, epi foul la ap swiv yo nan tout lari vil la. Se yon enèji ki pa ka eksplike; menm si ou te fatige, ritm nan fòse ou kontinye danse.3. Parad Tradisyonèl ak "Old Mas" (10 AM – 12 PM)
Apre yon ti poz pou moun manje yon ti "bakes" oswa bwè yon kafe, parad ofisyèl la kòmanse. Sa a se moman kote tradisyon yo pran plas devan. Ou ap wè: Sensay: Kostim ki fèt ak fib plant (sisal) oswa kòd sak, ak mask ki fè moun pè. Yo se icon kanaval Dominik la. Black Devils (Dyab Nwa): Moun ki kouvri kò yo ak lwil machin nwa ak siwo myèl, k ap kouri nan foul la pou yo manyen moun ki pa gen kostim. Ban Mouve: Gwoup fanm ak gason ki abiye ak rad tradisyonèl ki gen koulè klere, k ap danse kwadril oswa lòt dans eritaj franse. Stilt Walkers (Moko Jumbies): Moun k ap mache sou bwa long, k ap gade foul la anwo.4. T-Shirt Bands (2 PM – 10 PM)
Nan apremidi, atmosfè a chanje yon ti kras pou l vin pi modèn. Se lè sa a "T-Shirt Bands" yo anvayi lari a. Dè milye moun ki mete menm mayo a ap swiv yon kamyon mizik espesifik. Sa a se pati ki pi popilè pou jèn yo ak vizitè yo paske li pi fasil pou patisipe ladan l. Ou jis achte mayo gwoup ou vle a, epi ou gen aksè ak bwason ak sekirite pandan w ap danse nan tout vil la.Tradisyon ak Koutim Inik
Gen kèk eleman nan Lendi Gra nan Dominik ou p ap jwenn okenn lòt kote:
Lapo Kabwit: Se pa sèlman mizik, se yon langaj. Chak ritm gen yon siyifikasyon. Nan tan lontan, yo te itilize li pou kominike mesaj sekrè ant plantasyon yo. Jodi a, se kè bat kanaval la. Konpetisyon Calypso: Pandan tout sezon an k ap mennen nan Lendi Gra, gen gwo konpetisyon kote chantè yo sèvi ak mizik pou kritike gouvènman an, pale sou pwoblèm sosyal, oswa jis fè moun ri. Chante ki pi popilè a vin tounen "Road March" la, sa vle di chante yo jwe plis nan lari a pandan Lendi ak Mardi Gra. Pèmisyon pou Sensay: Paske kostim Sensay la ka kouvri figi yon moun nèt, gen règ strik. Patisipan yo dwe anrejistre ak Dominica Festivals Committee (DFC) pou asire sekirite tout moun. Sa montre kijan Dominik pran tradisyon li oserye pandan l ap pwoteje lapè piblik la.Enfòmasyon Pratik pou Vizitè yo
Si w ap planifye pou ale Dominik pou Lendi Gra nan lanne 2026, men sa ou bezwen konnen:
- Ki kote pou w ale: Sant aktivite a se Roseau. Se la tout gwo parad yo fèt. Gen kèk ti fèt nan vilaj yo tankou Portsmouth oswa Grand Bay, men pou vrè eksperyans lan, ou dwe nan kapital la.
- Transpò: Lari Roseau yo ap fèmen pou machin depi byen bonè nan maten. Pa atann pou w jwenn taksi fasil nan mitan vil la. Pi bon opsyon se rete nan yon distans kote ou ka mache oswa fè aranjman ak yon chofè prive davans. Pa gen Uber nan Dominik; se taksi lokal ak bis piblik ki sèl mwayen transpò.
- Kisa pou w mete: Pou J’Ouvert, mete vye rad ou pa pè pèdi paske ou ka fini ak penti oswa labou sou ou. Pou apremidi a, mete soulye konfòtab (tennis) paske w ap mache ak danse pandan plizyè kilomèt. Pwoteksyon solèy ak dlo se de bagay ki esansyèl.
- Sekirite: Dominik se youn nan zile ki pi an sekirite nan Karayib la, men nan gwo foul moun konsa, ou dwe toujou veye afè w. Rete nan gwoup epi respekte espas moun ki gen kostim tradisyonèl yo.
- Manje: Gen anpil machann nan lari a k ap vann manje lokal tankou "pelau", "bakes and saltfish", ak vyann griye. Se yon bon okazyon pou w goute natif natal kuizin Dominik la.
Èske se yon jou konje piblik?
Wi, Lendi Gra se yon jou konje piblik ofisyèl nan Dominik.
Sa vle di: Biwo Gouvènman: Yo tout fèmen. Bank: Yo fèmen lendi ak madi. Biznis: Pifò magazen ak biznis prive nan Roseau ap fèmen, eksepte restoran, ba, ak machann k ap sèvi moun ki nan kanaval la. Lekòl: Tout lekòl fèmen pou vakans kanaval la.
Li enpòtan pou vizitè yo konnen ke depi vandredi aprèmidi anvan Lendi Gra a, peyi a kòmanse ralanti sou plan administratif. Si ou gen papye pou w regle oswa si w bezwen sèvis labank, fè sa anvan wikenn nan kòmanse. Lendi ak madi se jou ki rezève sèlman pou kilti, mizik, ak rejwisans nasyonal.
Lendi Gra nan Dominik se plis pase yon senp fèt; se yon demonstrasyon fyète. Se moman kote chak Dominiken, kèlkeswa kote l ap viv nan mond lan, santi l konekte ak tè a. Pou 2026, selebrasyon an pwomèt pou l pi bèl toujou, pandan nasyon an ap kontinye rebati ak ranfòse tradisyon li yo apre tout defi li te pase. Si ou vle wè yon kanaval ki gen yon nanm, ki gen yon istwa, epi ki gen yon enèji ki pa ka fennen, se nan lari Roseau pou ou ye nan dat February 16, 2026. Prepare w pou w pèdi tèt ou nan ritm Lapo Kabwit la epi dekouvri poukisa yo rele sa "The Real Mas".
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Carnival Monday in Dominica
Carnival Monday in Dominica will be celebrated on Monday, February 16, 2026. There are 44 days remaining until this vibrant celebration begins. This day marks the official start of the two-day climax of Mas Domnik, the 'Real Mas', which takes place annually in the pre-Lenten period just before Ash Wednesday.
Yes, Carnival Monday is a public holiday in Dominica. On this day, government offices, banks, and most private businesses are closed to allow the entire population to participate in the festivities. The streets of the capital, Roseau, and various villages become the center of cultural activity, as the nation comes together to celebrate its rich heritage through music, dance, and traditional masquerade.
Mas Domnik is known as the 'Real Mas' because it remains deeply rooted in authentic traditions that blend African and French influences. Unlike more commercialized carnivals elsewhere, Dominica's celebration emphasizes heritage, social commentary through Calypso music, and ancestral spirits. It is a time for Dominicans to express their identity through wild, unfiltered energy and traditional costumes that have been passed down through generations.
The festivities begin in the very early hours, typically between 4:00 AM and 6:00 AM, with J’Ouvert. This is an intense and energetic start to the day featuring 'Lapo Kabwit'—traditional drum groups that fill the streets of Roseau with rhythmic beats. Revelers dance through the dark streets in a raw display of local culture, often followed by Hi-Fi bands and music trucks as the sun begins to rise.
One of the most iconic sights is the 'Sensay' costume, which features figures covered in frayed ropes or sisal. Other traditional 'Old Mas' characters include the Darkies, Black Devils, and Ban Mouve. These costumes often represent ancestral spirits or social satire. Between 10:00 AM and 12:00 Noon, these traditional bands take center stage, showcasing the unique folklore and craftsmanship that distinguishes Dominica's carnival from others in the Caribbean.
From 2:00 PM until approximately 10:00 PM, the atmosphere shifts toward large T-shirt bands. These groups are accompanied by high-energy Hi-Fi music trucks playing the latest Calypso and Bouyon hits. It is a more casual and modern form of 'jump-up' where thousands of people follow the trucks through the streets of Roseau, dancing and celebrating in a massive, inclusive street party.
Visitors are encouraged to join the jump-ups freely! For the morning J’Ouvert and afternoon T-shirt bands, it is best to wear comfortable clothing and sturdy shoes for dancing in the heat. While the atmosphere is high-energy and welcoming, it is important to respect the traditional masqueraders, especially the Sensay bands. If you want to follow the music trucks, keep an eye out for the 'Road March'—the most popular song of the season that everyone will be singing.
Since the main festivities are centered in Roseau, it is highly recommended to stay in or near the capital. During Carnival Monday, many streets are closed to vehicular traffic to accommodate the parades. Public transport and taxis are available, but they can be limited and roads get very crowded. It is wise to arrange transport with a local driver in advance or be prepared to walk to the heart of the action to experience the full auditory and visual chaos.
Historical Dates
Carnival Monday dates in Dominica from 2010 to 2025
| Year | Day of Week | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Monday | March 3, 2025 |
| 2024 | Monday | February 12, 2024 |
| 2023 | Monday | February 20, 2023 |
| 2022 | Monday | February 28, 2022 |
| 2021 | Monday | February 15, 2021 |
| 2020 | Monday | February 24, 2020 |
| 2019 | Monday | March 4, 2019 |
| 2018 | Monday | February 12, 2018 |
| 2017 | Monday | February 27, 2017 |
| 2016 | Monday | February 8, 2016 |
| 2015 | Monday | February 16, 2015 |
| 2014 | Monday | March 3, 2014 |
| 2013 | Monday | February 11, 2013 |
| 2012 | Monday | February 20, 2012 |
| 2011 | Monday | March 7, 2011 |
| 2010 | Monday | February 15, 2010 |
Note: Holiday dates may vary. Some holidays follow lunar calendars or have different observance dates. Purple indicates weekends.
Quick Actions
About Dominica
- Country Code
- DM
- Continent
- North America
- Total Holidays
- 6