Caribbean Culture Takes Center Stage as Carnival Comes to P'Ville
Carnival goers will see highlights from many islands, not just the larger popular islands with which people are generally familiar.
PLEASANTVILLE — Get ready for an energetic, cultural Caribbean Festival.
Atlantic City Carnival Weekend, which will take place July 19–20, 2025, will bring the joy and spontaneity of the West Indies to the region. This year’s theme, “Rise of the Tribe,” promises a vibrant display of Caribbean pride, with a high-energy street parade, costumed masqueraders, food vendors, and music echoing with the sounds of soca, calypso, and steelpan.
The main parade kicks off Saturday, July 19 at 1:30 pm in the 400 block of Bayview Avenue and will travel along a two-mile stretch, bringing the streets of Pleasantville to life with color and rhythm.
AC Carnival President Anthony Logan said the goal is to highlight an experience that is more cultural than commercial. “Every festival is different, but AC Carnival celebrates Caribbean culture in a way that educates the community about the different aspects of our heritage,” said Logan.
“It’s a true representation of the islands," Logan continued. "The people are humble. The people have a lot of love to give. This is our culture. This is who we are.”
Carnival goers will see highlights from many islands, not just the larger popular islands with which people are generally familiar, he added.
“Geography really isn’t taught in school very much anymore so sometimes people don’t understand that there is more to the Caribbean than just Jamacia,” Logan said.
People from all over the Caribbean celebrate their culture and wear the flags and colors of their countries.
The Atlantic City Carnival is the third major celebration of Caribbean heritage in the region this month.
Atlantic City Carnival 2024.
From July 11–13, 2025, Atlantic City hosted Beach Road Trip (BRT) Weekend, a massive beachfront event marketed as the “World’s Biggest Caribbean Music Festival.” Featuring five themed parties, all-inclusive food and drink, and sunrise and sunset events, BRT drew large crowds and national attention. The event also made headlines after organizers agreed to relocate some festivities due to noise complaints from local residents.
The event also provided an opportunity for area promoter Montez Williamson to host an affair to make the visiting crowd feel welcome. Williamson held the Official Beach Weekend After Party at ACX1 Studios to celebrate the culture.
Promotor Montez Williamson (Right) and the Discipline Management Group (Left) host events to make visitors feel welcome: Photo Credit: Mark Tyler
“I noticed no one was doing anything for the out-of-towners so whenever there’s an event in town, I host an event,” Williamson said. “The locals are the guests.”
Williamson, of Discipline Management Group, called the BRT after party, Caribbean Link – Up. Partygoers donned contemporary clothing and urban wear, but some sported their flags highlighting their home countries.
On July 12, Camden’s 25th Annual South Jersey Caribbean Festival took center stage at Wiggins Waterfront Park. The free, family-friendly event featured cultural performances, children’s activities, and a headline performance by Trinidadian soca star Nailah Blackman, marking a major milestone for one of the region’s longest-running Caribbean celebrations.
Together, the three events illustrate a growing embrace of Caribbean culture in South Jersey, where food, music, fashion, and tradition are drawing in diverse audiences from across the tri-state area.
Atlantic City Carnival Weekend organizers hope to continue that trend.
“This is more than a party,” reads a post on the event’s official Facebook page. “It’s a celebration of identity, unity, and the power of our shared heritage.”
The Carnival will continue Sunday, July 20 with community gatherings, cultural events, and post-parade celebrations. For more information or to view the full schedule, visit www.accarnival.com
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