In Trinidad and Tobago, few events capture national attention like Carnival. It’s a season celebrated worldwide for its creativity, culture, and unmatched energy. But beyond the feathers, music trucks, and soca hits lies a deeper conversation — one about priorities, spending habits, and who these experiences are really for.
Every year, Carnival season sparks the same debate: how is it that so many people say the economy is tight, jobs are scarce, and “things hard,” yet still find the money to buy a costume, attend multiple fetes, and spend on outfits, accessories, and high-end drinks?
Who Is Carnival Really Targeting?
Carnival is open to everyone in theory, but in reality, it often caters to those who can afford the high costs of participation. Premium band costumes can run into the thousands of dollars, while top-tier fete tickets are priced at levels out of reach for many average citizens.
For some, Carnival is a well-deserved annual splurge — a reward for hard work. For others, it’s a calculated investment in a lifestyle, an image, or even networking opportunities. But when the biggest events are priced at premium rates, the question arises: is Carnival designed to include everyone, or has it become a festival that primarily serves a certain demographic?
Beyond Carnival – Everyday Priorities
This conversation isn’t only about Carnival. It extends to other spending habits in Trinidad and Tobago:
The purchase of high-end sneakers and brand-name clothing
The willingness to gamble large sums despite financial struggles
Frequenting expensive restaurants and bars while complaining about the cost of groceries
Investing in luxury cars while struggling to pay rent or utility bills
These choices often exist alongside repeated complaints about rising costs, low wages, and economic hardship.
The Psychology of Spending
Experts in consumer behavior note that people often spend money based on emotional value rather than necessity. In times of hardship, leisure and status-driven purchases can provide temporary relief, joy, or a sense of control. In Trinidad and Tobago, Carnival represents more than a party — it’s an expression of identity, freedom, and belonging.
Still, this can create a paradox: the same people who call for economic change and complain about financial pressure are sometimes those making costly discretionary purchases. It’s a pattern not unique to Trinidad, but one that becomes especially visible in a country with such a high-profile annual festival.
Balancing Culture and Reality
Carnival’s cultural importance cannot be denied. It’s a driving force for tourism, a major employer in creative industries, and a deep-rooted part of national pride. But as the festival evolves and price points climb, it’s worth asking whether the event’s growth has left behind some of the very people it’s meant to celebrate.
Ultimately, this is about more than Carnival. It’s about what people in Trinidad and Tobago choose to prioritise — and whether those choices align with the financial realities they face. Some see it as hypocrisy, others as human nature. Either way, it’s a discussion that resurfaces every year, and one that says as much about us as it does about the festival itself.
