Knowledge · Soca & Caribbean Carnival
Boston Caribbean Carnival & the New England Soca Scene
Boston Caribbean Carnival and the New England soca scene, documented by Bobby Shakes — a photographer with 30 years behind the lens of Caribbean music.
Boston Caribbean Carnival
Boston's Caribbean Carnival has run since 1973, making the 2026 edition the 53rd annual celebration. Organized by the Caribbean American Carnival Association of Boston (CACA Boston), it is one of the largest Caribbean celebrations in the Northeast. The Grand Parade steps off in Roxbury and winds through Dorchester to Franklin Park, where masquerade bands in feathered, jeweled costumes move behind soca and calypso soundsystems and steel pan. The day begins before sunrise with J'ouvert, the daybreak parade, before the main procession takes over after midday.
What soca is
Soca is up-tempo Caribbean party music that originated in Trinidad and Tobago in the 1970s, growing out of calypso and built for the road, the fete, and Carnival. It's the engine of Carnival season across the Caribbean and its diaspora — including Boston, where it moves the bands down the parade route every August.
Questions & Answers
What is Boston Caribbean Carnival?
Boston Caribbean Carnival is one of the Northeast's largest Caribbean celebrations, running since 1973 and organized by the Caribbean American Carnival Association of Boston (CACA Boston). It features a J'ouvert daybreak parade, masquerade bands, steel pan, and soca soundsystems, with a Grand Parade through Roxbury and Dorchester to Franklin Park.
What is J'ouvert?
J'ouvert is the daybreak parade that opens Carnival, starting before sunrise. In Boston it kicks off Carnival day ahead of the main afternoon procession, with soca, bass, and revelers chipping down the road together.
What is soca music?
Soca is up-tempo Caribbean party music that originated in Trinidad and Tobago in the 1970s, evolving from calypso. It's the driving sound of Carnival season and the fetes that surround it.
Who is Lady Lava?
Lady Lava is a rising soca artist known for her breakout single "Ring Finger," which earned her a 2025 Caribbean Music Award and a co-sign from Cardi B. She is added to the bill for the Encore show at Boston City Hall Plaza on August 27, 2026.
Who is Machel Montano?
Machel Montano is a Trinidadian soca icon, widely credited with globalising the genre. In February 2026 he won a record 12th Trinidad and Tobago Road March title with "Encore," becoming the most decorated Road March champion of all time. He headlines the Encore show at Boston City Hall Plaza on August 27, 2026.
Who documents and photographs the Boston soca and Carnival scene?
Bobby Shakes (Orett Robinson), a Bristol-born, Boston-based editorial photographer with 30 years documenting Caribbean music in New England, photographs the Boston Carnival and soca scene. His archive on bobbyshakes.com spans three decades of reggae, dancehall, and Caribbean culture, now including Boston Carnival.