When
1 Aug 2026
Usually in August
Where
Nationwide
Type
national · fixed date
Heritage
African Heritage
The Story
Emancipation Day is celebrated on August 1st, marking the day enslaved Africans throughout the British Empire were finally liberated from bondage in 1838.
After slavery ended, Emancipation was celebrated with processions, church services, fetes with drumming and dancing. Trinidad and Tobago made history as the first country in the World to proclaim a national holiday to commemorate the end of African enslavement.
In 1985, Prime Minister George Chambers made the historic decision to memorialize this day. Trinidad and Tobago is now known as the Emancipation Capital of the world, with thousands of visitors from around the World attending what is recognized as one of the world's foremost African festivals.
What to Expect
Lidj Yasu Omowale Emancipation Village - Queen's Park Savannah
- 4:00am: Libation Ceremony at Yoruba Village, Port of Spain - a symbolic ritual involving pouring of liquids to honour ancestors
- 6:00am: "Freedom Morning Come" at Treasury Building
- 8:00am: Formal Ceremony to start Kanbule Street Processions
- 9:00am: Street procession featuring drummers, dancers, masqueraders, steel pan bands, spiritual leaders, and Pan-African organizations
- Performances at Piccadilly Greens
- Village Awards Ceremony and Flambeau Finale
How to Participate
Attire:
- Kente Cloth/Ankara prints - tops, skirts, dresses and headwraps
- Men: Dashikis, boubous, suits made from African fabrics
- Statement jewelry
- Mix of traditional and modern African-inspired wear
Join the street processions and community celebrations!
Practical Information
Date: August 1st (National Holiday)
Main Event: Queen's Park Savannah, Port of Spain
Organized by: Emancipation Support Committee
Duration: Weeks of activities leading up to August 1st
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More African Heritage Festivals
National holiday commemorating the abolition of slavery in the British Empire in 1834.
Commemorating the 1951 repeal of the Shouter Prohibition Ordinance that had banned the Spiritual Baptist faith for 34 years.