Cambridge Carnival International

Report Error

Email It

Write a Review

Dates:	Sunday, September 13, 2026 - Sunday, September 13, 2026
Hours:	11:00 am - 5:00 pm
Ages:	Infants, Toddlers, Kids, Teens, Adults
In/Outdoor:	Outdoor
Cost:	Free
Category:	Special Events

Cambridge Carnival International is a colorful and festive celebration that is rooted in African traditions.

Carnival secretly allowed public communication and cultural bonding for the Afro-Caribbean cultures from as far back as the 1600s.

The festival, now a Cambridge institution, attracts thousands of people and is the largest festival in Cambridge.

The highlight of the festival is a grand costume parade accompanied by rich rhythmic musicality promoting all types of cultures can be seen as revelers masquerade through the streets of Cambridge in dazzling handmade costumes dancing to the beat of Carnival.

Cambridge Carnival is the most unique event in the City of Cambridge.

It is planned entirely by the community for the community.

The organizing committee works hard year-round to plan an event that is inclusive, engaging, and reflective of the city’s diversity.

The event is organized by a non-profit volunteer community organization made up of a diverse group of individuals.

Members of the group either live and work in Cambridge or run local businesses and have a desire to promote, preserve and share the history and culture of the Caribbean and Carnival traditions based on the models of Trinidad and Tobago and Brazil.

The festival is a vehicle to bring together Cambridge’s diverse community for a spectacular annual costume parade and celebration.

WEBSITE

↑ top

cambridgecarnival.org/?fbclid=IwAR3OEPilLq-QVD7hPBLBIsi2n7F9MjGB7m7rJActPmUeiXCdWgxL6uqygL4

LOCATION

↑ top

University Park Commons, 65 Sidney Street, Cambridge, MA, 02139 map

By Public Transportation: From Boston by subway (Kendall Square comes first), take the MBTA Red Line to Kendall Square (for the festival) or one further stop to the Central Square stop (for the parade).
By Car: Street Closings: Main Street will be closed from Vassar Street to Broadway and Ames Street from just pass the MIT Hospital to Broadway will be closed from 7am- 10pm. Main Street will be closed from Mass Avenue (Central Square) to Vassar Street from 8am- 8pm. River Street will be closed from 12:30-4pm for the parade. Massachusetts Avenue will be closed on the North side from 12:30-4pm for the parade. Parking is limited and metered. Cambridgeside Galleria (about a 10 minute walk) has paid parking, as well.
Directions: To obtain directions from where you originate, see Mapquest and plug in Massachusetts Avenue and Main Street for the parade route or Main Street and Ames Street for the festival site.