Carnival in Jamaica is one of the most anticipated event of the year. Every year on the weekend after Easter Monday, people flock to the streets in elaborate costumes to fete and dance to a musical blend of soca, dancehall and calypso music. And every carnival season, Xodus (pronounced ‘exodus’) Jamaica Carnival Band gives feters a premium experience to live out their fantasies and enjoy the enchanting euphoria of carnival in Jamaica.
Xodus Jamaica Carnival is pure vibes! Live your best carnival fantasy in amazing costumes, high energy festivities with a secure carnival band on the island.
Xodus Jamaica Carnival Costumes
November starts the carnival season and this year’s Xodus Band launch of costumes is the envy of the crowd. Xodus premiered 15 bedazzled costumes to kick start their 2020 Carnival Season under the theme “Enchanted”.
Xodus prides themselves as the premium carnival band and their costumes are nothing short of premium. Carnival costumes stay true to their traditions of boasting elaborate designs. These days costumes tend to be on the voyeuristic side but are designed with intricate details, beadings, feathers, headbands, backpacks, and unique designs.
Carnival costumes are generally split into 2 categories – Frontline and Backline. Frontline costumes are more elaborate and feature larger headresses or backpacks (feathered designs that act as ‘wings’ which are attached to the backs of the costumes). As you can guess, Backline costumes don smaller backpacks, less extravagant designs and are often cheaper to purchase.
ENVY – Xodus Premium Costumes
In addition to the frontline and backline costumes, Xodus also launched its premium carnival costume line called Envy. The creativity was even more jaw-dropping and you’ll be sure to be the envy of everyone on the road come Carnival Sunday.
Xodus Jamaica Carnival worked with designers to create 3 costumes in the Envy line – Snow, Vixen, and Nala.
(photo courtesy of Xodus Jamaica Carnival)
(photo courtesy of Xodus Jamaica Carnival)
(photo courtesy of Xodus Jamaica Carnival)
Quick Tips on Costumes
Buy your costumes early. They tend to sell out fast and more often than not, you will need to have it customised to suit your tastes. Prices tend range from 400USD to 800USD and you can purchase costumes online.
Alterations can be made to costumes. This is important for us curvy girls. However, Xodus (and other carnival bands in general) tend to do a poor job of highlighting this on their website and social media pages. A quick glance on photos would have you thinking otherwise. Costume designers, though, are ready to make alterations. There is also usually a monokini option for each costume or T-shirt design to choose from.
What to Expect During Jamaica Carnival Celebrations
Carnival in Jamaica is a dazzling array of high-energy events that will test your dancing skills and endurance. The season starts in November before Easter with the release of new soca songs, carnival bands launching costumes, and the first set of parties start.
The actual Carnival parade, though, happens the weekend after Easter ends. This is part of the fun of carnival in Jamaica for me…it’s a roving masquerade that can happen as early as March one year and late April the next! Carnival weekend kickstarts with J’Ouvert party (pronounced ‘joo-vay’ and is french for “I open”) on Friday and ends with Carnival Road March on Sunday.
Xodus Jamaica Carnival is pure vibes! Live your best carnival fantasy in amazing costumes, high energy and the premier carnival band in Jamaica. Share on XTrust me when I say that carnival really tests your endurance. It’s normal for ‘soca junkies’ and ‘carnival babies’ to start a workout regimen weeks before the carnival parade. This is to make sure they socacise and are ready to take on the road come carnival time.
Over this weekend, there is non-stop revelry, partying and joy. Soca is an upbeat music genre that combines the everyday struggle of Caribbean people, the joys of living life, with the feeling of hope and unbridled love of music and fete-ing. Carnival is fast-paced, high energy and pulsating.
Xodus Jamaica Carnival Weekend
Celebrating or “jumping” carnival with Xodus Carnival Band is no different. Xodus organises several parties leading up to Road March – which is the main carnival event of the year. You already got the lowdown on the vibes of carnival and soca music, but let’s talk about actual carnival weekend.
One of the best ways to experience carnival is to jump with a band like Xodus Jamaica Carnival. This means purchasing season tickets and experiencing an inclusive set of events with a carnival band that provides security, costumes for purchase, food, drinks (we are rum people so expect lots of rum-based drinks), and coordinated events.
First, you buy your costume and get it customised.
Second, you pick up your costume and goodie bag at the designated pick-up location. This happens closer to carnival week. Expect regular communication with Xodus on event dates and costume updates.
Third, get to fete-ing hahaha!
(Video courtesy of Jamaican Youtuber @AndImShelby)
Road March with Xodus Jamaica Carnival
Carnival Sunday or Road March is the biggest fete of the season. You literally walk and dance for several kilometres on the road behind music trucks with fellow paraders. There is route that is mapped out for the parade with clear signs and a security rope that helps to guide the way and keep patrons from wandering off.
Lunch is prepared for all Xodus patrons and there is usually a vegetarian or meatless option. This all happens in an air-conditioned lunch tent with a designated area to check your feathers and backpacks. This is crucial as backpacks can be a real hassle while you eat.
After lunch, you head back on the road to complete the second half of your carnival road march. More dancing. More music. More vibes.
“FunFact: I jumped carnival as a child during the last Kiddies Carnival parade in Jamaica lol!”
(photo courtesy of @xoduscarnival)
Where to Stay for Xodus Carnival
Carnival is not for the faint of heart nor for those with shallow pockets. It’s an investment but definitely worth it! That being said, if you’re flying into Jamaica there are ways to reduce costs by choosing affordable accommodation options during your stay.
If you can, stay in the New Kingston area as this is very close to Xodus Road March activities. There are many hotels and Airbnb’s to choose from. It will be hard to find a hostel in New Kingston though. (In truth, Jamaica is slowly but surely having more hostels pop-up around Kingston).
How to Get Around During Carnival
Taxis are your friend. But make sure they are chartered taxis. There are several taxi companies that you can call to charter a cab, such as:
- Gadgepro
- Compass
- On Time
- Apollo
- Mortec
- El Shaddai
It’s better to take cabs instead of “route taxis”, buses, or walk to get to the different carnival events, especially at nights.
(photo courtesy of Xodus jamaica Carnival)
Safety During Xodus Carnival Road March
Xodus pays close attention to the security of their patrons. I had the chance to speak with Scott Dunn, one of the organizers for Xodus Carnival Band, and I was assured that professional security teams are hired. They are trained to handle crowds, emergencies, prevent petty theft like pickpocketing, and are on-hand to guide you back to your band should you wander off or get lost.
Some general safety tips during Jamaica Carnival are:
- Leave your jewelry at home to avoid petty theft. If you are participating and “jumping carnival” as they say, then you’ll be wearing bejeweled costumes, so there is no need for anything else
- Travel in groups. Try to carpool or arrange to meet-up at a designated location. Use paid car parks wherever possible, and designate an alcohol-free driver or take a chartered/registered taxi (indicated by a red license plate) back to your accommodation
- Stash your cash wisely, and only take small amounts with you
- Limit your alcohol intake. Do not accept drinks from strangers or leave drinks unattended. Make sure all bottles are opened in front of you
- Keep your phone close and in a waterproof case so it doesn’t get damaged by the water trucks that spray people during the carnival parade.
- Carnival season is like none other. The culmination of weeks of partying takes to the streets with Road March. Xodus Carnival is truly a unique expression and showcases to the world a carnival unique to Jamaica. Release your inhibitions at the party of the year!
Experience Carnival in Jamaica with Xodus Carnival Band – Be Enchanted!
For more info on jumping carnival with Xodus Band, please visit their website.
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Ohh it looks like so much fun! Would love to experience this some day!