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Martinique - Caribbean Festivals


Hibiscus flower

There is a wealth of sightseeing attractions, special events and Caribbean festivals on the island that are best begun with a visit to the Martinique Tourist Office CMT (Comite Martiniquais du Tourisme), located in Schoelcher at Immeuble Beaupré Pointe de Jaham 97233 Schoelcher.
Tel: (596) 596 61 61 77
The office is open 8 a.m. to 4.30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
The Tourist Office Information Desk at the airport stays open daily until the last flight comes in. Complimentary maps, magazines and information booklets are available from the English-speaking staff, which is well versed in suggestions about what to see and do. Among free publications in French and English are the digest-sized Choubouloute, a compact listing of island happenings, as well as descriptions of self-drive tours designed by the Tourist Office, along with many other items of tourist interest. Taxis or motorcoaches also can provide similar sightseeing tours.
Details on organized island excursions by tour operators can be obtained from the Tourist Office and from hotel desks.

Calendar of events 2008

January

  • The General Council Equestrian Grand Prix
    Tel: (596) 596 51 88 36 or (596) 596 55 26 00
    Fax: (596) 596 73 59 32
    Web: www.cg972.fr
  • Matnik Caribbean Carnival
    Carnival parade with groups from Martinique and other Caribbean islands
    Association Matjilpa
    Tel: (596) 696 45 23 68 or (596) 696 34 63 00
    Email: ridica@wanadoo.fr
  • The Mornes Challenge (Défi des Mornes)
    Hiking competition
    Club Tchimbe Raid
    Tel: (596) 696 29 79 01
    Email: mail@tchimberaid.org
    Web: www.tchimberaid.com

February

  • February 2 to 6
    Carnival
     Four days (Dimanche gras, Lundi Gras, Mardi Gras and Ash Wednesday) of revelry and joyous celebrations…
    All business comes to a halt.
    Streets spill over with parties and parades.
    Martinique Tourism Authority
    Tél: (596) 596 61 61 77
    Fax: (596) 596 61 22 72 or (596) 596 61 09 59
    Email: infos@martiniquetourisme.com
    Web: www.martiniquetourisme.com
  • The Mornes Challenge (Défi des Mornes)
    Hiking competition
    Club Tchimbe Raid
    Tel: (596) 696 29 79 01
    Email: mail@tchimberaid.org
    Web: www.tchimberaid.com
  • Schœlcher Nautical Week
    Internationale Sailing Competition
    Cercle Nautique de Schœlcher
    Address: Anse Madame, 97233 Schoelcher
    Tel: (596) 596 61 20 83
    Fax (596) 596 61 57 51
    Email: cns@ais.mq
    Web: www.cnschoelcher.com

March

  • The Mornes Challenge (Défi des Mornes)
    Hiking competition
    Club Tchimbe Raid
    Tel: (596) 696 29 79 01
    Email: mail@tchimberaid.org
    Web: www.tchimberaid.com
  • March 22
    Randonuit (Hike night)
    Torch-lit guided trek featuring scientific activities, dinner with music, and games. For its 10th anniversary « Randonuit » will take place in Basse-Pointe.
    Ce Cédille Association
    Address: quartier AKR - 97218 Basse Pointe
    Tel: (596) 596 52 80 82
    Fax: (596) 596 52 81 92
    Email: infoplus@cecedille.net
    Web: www.cecedille.net
  • March 24
    La Patte d’Or (The Golden Paw)
    Easter Crab Festival: Games and activities focused around the sand crab
    SAS
    Addess:18 rue Ernest Maugée, BP 47, 97232 Le Lamentin
    Tel/Fax: (596) 596 51 88 38
    Email: sas972@wanadoo.fr
  • Travel and Vacations Show
    Open Soft-System
    Madiana Convention Center in Schoelcher
    Address: Boite postale 7105 – 97276 Schoelcher cedex
    Tel: (596) 596 61 16 32
    or (596) 596 22 79 46
    Fax: (596) 596 61 18 99
    Email: open-soft@wanadoo.fr
  • City of Rivière-Pilote Agricultural Fair
    Exhibition, sale of local products, fool courts and musical shows
    Address: Ancienne école maternelle, rue du Marronage, 97211 Riviere-Pilote
    Tel: (596) 596 62 60 03
    Fax: (596) 596 62 91 20
    Email: open-soft@wanadoo.fr

April

May

  • May 22 
    Slavery Abolition Commemoration
    Celebration of the abolition of slavery by Victor Schoelcher
    Conference, walk with the torches, large market, folk ballet.
    Schoelcher Tourist Office
    Tel: (596) 596 61 83 92
    Email: odt-schoelcher@wanadoo.fr
  • May in Saint-Pierre
    Major commemoration of 1902 Mont Pelée volcano eruption.
    Exhibitions, shows, lectures and commemorative walks.
    May 8 is the anniversary date of the 1902 Mount Pelée eruption
    OMNIAC (Saint-Pierre office of tourism and culture)
    Address: Hôtel de ville –rue Caylus – 97250 Saint -Pierre
    Tel: (596) 596 78 13 98
    Email: omniac@voila.fr
  • Lamentin Jazz Project, 6th edition
    Jazz festival
    Cultural Office of Lamentin
    Tel: (596) 596 51 24 09
    Email: ocl-communication@wanadoo.fr
  • May 12 - 20
    Gastronomic week
    In Sainte-Marie
    13th Annual Culinary Week.
    International chef's contest, promotional menus, food exhibits, dinner-dance.
    Osatour (Sainte-Marie Tourist Office)
    Address: rue Ernest deproge - BP 62 -972030 Sainte Marie
    Tel: (596) 596 69 13 83
    Fax: (596) 596 69 40 62
    Email: osatour@wanadoo.fr
  • Contemporary Art Market, 6th edition
    Art fair in Marin.
    Address: 2 rue Osman Duquesnay – 97 290 le Marin
    Tel: (596) 596 74 90 02
    Fax: (596) 596 74 96 60
    Email: ville-marin@wanadoo.fr
  • Madiflora
    Plant and flower fair
    Saint Pierre Rotary Club
    Tél: (596) 596 61 93 34
    Email: cristian.rapha@wanadoo.fr
  • Tchimbé Raid Matnik
    11th edition of a 37 mile hike (60km) competition from Fort de France to Grand-Rivière
    Club Tchimbe Raid
    Tel: (596) 696 29 79 01
    Email: mail@tchimberaid.org
    web: www.tchimberaid.com
  • Regional Council Caribbean pétanque Grand prix
    International Pétanque Competition (French Bocci ball)
    Club Bouliste de Saint Pierre
    Address : Rue Royale 97 250 Saint Pierre
    Tel/Fax: (596) 596 78 85 84

June

  • The Mornes Challenge (Défi des Mornes)
    Hiking competition
    Club Tchimbe Raid
    Tel: (596) 696 29 79 01
    Email: mail@tchimberaid.org
    Web: www.tchimberaid.com
  • June 21
    Fête de la Musique
    National and international day of music, free street concerts
    DRAC
    Tel: (596) 596 60 05 36
  • Sugar Cane Crop Over Festival
    Sainte-Marie
    Saint-James Rum Museum
    Tel : (596) 596 69 30 02
    or (596) 596 69 50 37
    Email: rhums.st.james@wanadoo.fr
  • Festival de Haute Taille et des Quadrilles du Monde
    Traditional dances: Haute Taille and Square Dance Festival
    City of François
    Address: mairie du François - place Charles de Gaulle
    Tel: (596) 596 54 84 31
    Fax: (596) 596 54 84 29
    Email: culture@ville-francois.fr

July

  • International Bicycle Race, 29th edition
    Weekend bicycle race
    Martinique Cycling Committee
    Address : Avenue Salvador Allende - cité Dillon
    bat T, esc 3, Porte 2 - 97200 Fort de France
    Tel: 596 596 63 21 39
    Fax: 596 596 05 41
    web: www.martiniquetour.com
  • Cultural nights
    19th edition Music, dance and theater in Rivière-Pilote.
    OMPACS (Rivière Pilote Cultural Services)
    Address: Boulevard septembre 1870 – 97 211 Rivière Pilote
    Tel: (596) 596 62 70 06
    Email: ompacs@wanadoo.fr
  • 37th Edition Festival of Fort-de-France
    Theater, dance, music, exhibitions, concerts and shows
    in the capital and its suburbs.
    Sermac (Municipal Cultural Services of Fort-de-France)
    Address: place José Marti – 97 200 Fort de France
    Tel: (596) 596 71 66 25
    Fax: (596) 596 71 90 14
    web: www.fortdefrance.fr
  • Festival "Metis'Art"
    Fond Saint-Jacques Cultureal Center
    Address: 11 rue du pavé - 97 230 Sainte Marie
    Tel: (596) 596 69 10 12
    Fax: (596) 596 69 21 58
    Email: ccrfsj@sasi.fr
    Web: www.sasi.fr/habitationfondsaintjacques
  • Martinique Tourism Authority Round Skiff Grand prix
    Yawl boat race, unique to Martinique.
    Round Skiff (Yoles rondes) Society of Martinique
    Address: Maison des sports – Pointe de la vierge - 97200 Fort de France
    Tel: (596) 596 61 48 50
    Fax: (596) 596 72 02 53
    Email: ecrire@yoles-rondes.org
    Web: www.yoles-ronde.org

August

  • August 3 - 10
    24th edition Tour des Yoles Rondes,
    (a spectacular Yawl Boat Race.)    Yole race
    Yawl boat race, unique to Martinique.
    Departure and arrival: Le Robert.
    Curved-bottomed craft thus called as opposed to flat-bottomed boats. It is a week-long regatta of traditional racing sailing boats run around the island of Martinique in seven stages. The Tour des Yoles Rondes of Martinique is probably the most popular event on the island as it is followed by the whole population and by an increasing number of visitors and journalists from abroad.
    Bring cameras, zooms lens and binoculars or follow the race by boat.
    Round Skiff (Yoles rondes) Society of Martinique
    Address: Maison des sports – Pointe de la vierge - 97200 Fort de France
    Tel: (596) 596 61 48 50
    Fax: (596) 596 72 02 53
    Email: ecrire@yoles-rondes.org
    Web: www.yoles-ronde.org

September

October

November

  • November 1 & 2
    All Saints Day
    Religious holiday honoring the dead and the saints –
    Cemeteries are illuminated.
  • Festival des Sens, 5th edition
    24 hours of Creative arts - music, dance, singing, drawing, over 200 artiists.
    Marin
    Association Chouval Bwa Kiltirel
    Tel: (596) 596 74 69 27
    Email: calebasse@wnadoo.fr
    Web: www.calebasse.com
  • The Marin International Deep-sea Fishing Tournament, 17th edition
    In Marin
    Martinique Bifffish Association
    Address: Yacht club de la Martinique,
    boulevard chevalier Sainte Marthe - 97200 Fort de France
    Tel: (596) 696 45 83 58
    Email: duplan@cg972.fr
    Web: www.martinique-billfish.org
  • November 11
    La Belle Martinique
    Cycling event open to all cycling fans – more a cycling tour of the island than a competition
    Martinique Cycling Committee
    Tel: (596) 596 63 21 39
    Fax: (596) 596 60 05 41
    Web: www.martiniquetour.com/cyclisme
  • 23rd Edition International Half Marathon of Fort-de-France
    21.1 km race around Fort-de-France
    Sports Services of Fort de France
    Address: Espace Nicole Zaré- Dillon
    Tel: (596) 596 39 31 02
    Fax: (596) 596 39 48 51
    Web: www.semimartinique.com

December

  • Rum Festival
    Celebrates the making of rum at the St. James distillery
    Sainte-Marie
    The St.James museum/distillery
    Tel: (596) 596 69 30 02
    or (596) 596 69 50 37
    Fax: (596) 596 69 29 60
    Email: rhums.st.james@wanadoo.fr
  • Arlésienne Cultural week
    Fair, arts, music, Lectures and conferences
    City Hall Anses d’Arlet (Cultural Department)
    Tel: (596) 596 68 63 93
    Fax: (596) 596 68 68 35
    Email : oma5@wanadoo.fr
  • Grand Raid Manikou
    80-mile hiking competition from Sainte-Anne to Grand Rivière
    Club Manikou
    Tel: (596) 596 60 85 01 or (596) 696 74 12 10
    Email: pacha.chapelle@wanadoo.fr
    Website: www.grandraidmanikou.com

Saint's Days

Every village in Martinique celebrates its Saint's Day. On these days the villages are animated with games, shows, folk dancing, and other amusements.
The major festivities take place over the weekend.

Patron Saints will be celebrated in the following cities:

CULTURAL CENTERS

L'ATRIUM
Centre Culturel Départemental de la Martinique
This state-of-the-art cultural center offers annual thematic programming that features classical music, world music, jazz, poetry, dance performances, etc. Up-to-date exhibits of current art and animations created in Martinique are also featured.

6, rue Jacques CAZOTTE
97200 Fort de France MARTINIQUE (FWI)
Tel: (596) 596 60 78 78
Fax: (596) 596 60 88 20
Email: atrium-info@cgste.mq

CMAC
Centre Martiniquais d'Action Culturelle.
The center has shows all year round, as well as movies, music, Rencontres Caribéenes de Theatre (Caribbean Theater Groups) in July, and a biennial International Guitar Festival acclaimed as "one of the world's most prestigious guitar events."
This December, the 2007 International Guitar and Jazz Festival will feature major artists in concerts. (exact dates TBA.)

6, rue Jacques CAZOTTE
97200 Fort de France MARTINIQUE (FWI)
Tel: (596) 596 70 79 29
Fax: (596) 596 63 52 07
Programs: (596) 596 70 79 39
Web: www.cmac.asso.fr
Email:info@cmac.asso.fr

SERMAC
Service Municipal d'Action Culturelle.
The Festival de Fort de France, is held every year in July for two weeks. It features theater, music and shows at the Grand Carbet in Parc Floral and the Théâtre Municipal in Fort-de-France.

Parc Floral Fort-de-France
Tel: (596) 596 71 66 25

OMC DU MARIN
The annual Festival du Marin takes place in August
Tel: (596) 596 74 90 74

OMC Robert
The Aqua Festival is a sailing festival held each year in April
featuring shows and parades around the magnificent Bay of Robert.
Tel: (596) 596 65 10 05

OMCDAC Sainte-Marie
Contact them for news about the Cultural Festival in August.
Tel: (596) 596 69 47 31
or (596) 596 69 49 11

OMC Saint-Pierre
Enjoy Le Mai de Saint-Pierre, an annual festival in commemoration of the 1902 Mont Pelée volcano eruption.
Tel: (596) 596 78 10 32
or (596) 596 78 15 02

Gommier race
Club des gommiers. Société martiniquaise des yoles rondes.
Tel: (596) 596 62 42 20

Yoles boats races
Société martiniquaise des yoles rondes
Tel: (596) 596 61 48 50

Important note
The correct telephone dialing procedure for Martinique from the United States is:
011 ((596) 596 XX XX XX)

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