Arlette Fenty from the Luxembourg Caribbean Carnival Association joined the Sam Steen Show on RTL Today Radio to preview the three-day celebration, which takes place from Friday, July 17th to Sunday, July 19th across several locations in the Grand Duchy.
"It's really about bringing people together," Arlette explained. "You don't have to be Caribbean, you don't have to wear a costume – everyone is welcome to come and celebrate with us."
The festivities begin on Friday evening with the Luxembourg Caribbean Carnival Boat Party, as guests board the Muselschëff in Remich for a sunset cruise along the Moselle.
With Soca, Bouyon, Dennery Segment and Zouk filling the dancefloor, the boat sails from 8pm until 11pm, featuring Caribbean music, food and drinks throughout the evening.
Saturday offers two very different experiences.
During the day, organisers will host a colourful family-friendly event in Parc Kinnekswiss, where visitors are invited to throw coloured powder in a celebration inspired by festivals of colour around the world.
Then, on Saturday night, the celebrations move to Bâtiment 4 in Esch-sur-Alzette for the All White Party, complete with Caribbean cuisine, cocktails and a rum tasting featuring spirits from across the Caribbean.
The highlight of the weekend arrives on Sunday, July 19th, when Place Guillaume II is transformed into a vibrant Caribbean Carnival Village.
The afternoon begins with a colourful street parade featuring elaborate carnival costumes before the square fills with food stalls, live entertainment and music celebrating cultures from across the Caribbean and beyond.
"We're being inclusive," Arlette said. "We'll have vendors from different backgrounds alongside our Caribbean food stalls. It's about bringing everyone together through food, music and culture."
Visitors can sample everything from jerk chicken and traditional Caribbean dishes to French Caribbean specialities and Argentine empanadas.
International Soca artists Imani Ray and Braveboy, both from Trinidad and Tobago, will headline this year's entertainment after performing at carnival events across Europe.
One of the biggest attractions this year is a competition to win a five-night trip for two to Barbados.
The prize includes return flights, hotel accommodation and daily breakfast, courtesy of Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc.
Entry is free, but visitors must register online for the Carnival Village before attending. Tickets will be scanned on arrival and only registered guests present at the live draw will be eligible to win.
"If I call your name and you're not there," Arlette laughed, "I'm sorry, it goes to the next person."
Full competition terms and registration details are available at www.luxembourgcaribbeancarnival.com.
The Luxembourg Caribbean Carnival is supported by the Ministry of Culture, Œuvre Nationale, the Ville de Luxembourg and Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc., with additional support from local partners including Ramenshifu and Bâtiment 4.
For the full programme, event registration and competition details, visit www.luxembourgcaribbeancarnival.com or follow Lux Soca Fusion on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.
You can also listen back to Arlette Fenty's full interview on the Sam Steen Show below.
