Saint Lucia’s premiere cultural spectacle, Lucian Carnival, will reach its peak over the next few days with thousands of colorfully-clad revelers flooding the streets of Castries for the two-day Parade of Bands on July 18 and 19.

With Saint Lucia hotels offering travelers promotional deals up to 50 percent off standard rates, thousands are on island to take in the spectacle. Being the island’s third largest source market, the Saint Lucia Tourist Board, the island’s lead promotions and marketing agency has also made a special pitch to woo Caribbean carnival lovers from Barbados, Antigua, Grenada Trinidad and Tobago and the French Caribbean, as a means of drumming up interest in the sights, sounds and splendor of Lucian Carnival.

Filled with parties, competitions and exhibitions, Lucian Carnival is a rich display of artistry and cultural expression.

“A visit during Carnival season is an experience unlike any other, where travelers have the opportunity to become immersed in the Saint Lucian culture one song at a time,” said Tracey Warner-Arnold, Deputy Director of Tourism.

Saint Lucia Carnival commences in June and reaches its climax in mid-July. Some of the major events for the season are the early morning J’ouvert jump-up, Junior Carnival, the Carnival Queen Show Pageant, calypso finals, panorama, the Groovy and Soca Monarch competitions, and scores of highly popular parties put on by the various carnival bands. The festivities climax with the traditional Parade of the Bands.

The festivities offer locals, annual revelers and visitors the opportunity to fête through the streets of Castries in true Caribbean fashion.

Some 11 carnival bands are participating in Lucian Carnival 2016 with an average of 6,000 registered costumed revelers expected to hit the streets for the two-day jump up.

Meanwhile, thousands of onlookers are expected to line city streets to witness the spectacle unfold.