Join us for Chicago caribbean carnival!

Interested in being part of Chicago Caribbean Carnival Parade?  Here's some help information for you to know before signing up your band! 

All Mas Bands must submit a completed Band Registration Application by June 30, 2026 to be

considered as a registered Competing Band for Chicago Caribbean Carnival 

Competing Band Registration Fee: $400 

Competition categories are as follows:

• (Masquerade) Band of the Year
• 2nd Prize
• 3rd Prize
• Best Sounding Truck
• People's Choice

• To be eligible for the Band of the Year and to participate in the Parade of Bands, each masquerade band must: Be officially registered by fully completing the enclosed registration form and submitting the band registration no later than June 30th, 2026.
• Must have a minimum of (25) costumed masqueraders.
• Mas bands shall assemble in their allotted position at the designated starting point at 10:00 a.m. On the morning of the parade. Bands not properly assembled by 11:00 a.m. will be relocated and will have a MINIMUM of 10 points deducted. Any band not properly assembled at 11:45am will not be allowed in the parade.
• Mas Bands’ music trucks and support truck(s) must be in position on the Parade Route at 10 a.m.

Mas Bands are required to have identifiable internal marshals (one for each twenty masqueraders) to ensure an orderly progress and good conduct along the parade route.

Mas Bands must supply a contact person to work with CCC Marshalls to ensure continual movement along the route.

Mas Bands are responsible for monitoring and enforcement of the proper conduct and behavior of all members of their band. 

Your Band Marshalls will be responsible for ensuring an orderly process and that only your

masqueraders are part of your band.

The judges shall decide on the points (100) to be awarded for the Masquerade Band competition

using the following criteria: 

• All bands must have their truck or music vehicle and support vehicles at the parade route no later than 10:00 AM. Roads will be blocked off at 10:00 AM.
• Pre- judging will commence at 11:00 a.m. Bands not properly assembled by 10:45 a.m. will be relocated and will have MINIMUM of 10 points deducted. Any band not properly assembled at
• 11:45 will not be allowed in the parade.
• Judging for Carnival will be done by four judges, a fifth judge who is the head judge will also score but his/her scores will only be used in the event of a tiebreaker. The judges will have to determine a clear winner for each place.
• The score to be awarded will be the aggregate points the judges.
• The decision of the judges shall be final and binding

Prize Distribution

Prizes will be awarded using the following guidelines:

• As previously noted, in the event that there are two bands having the same total score after using
• The head judge's score, creating a tie for 1st place, there will be no 2nd place, if there is a tie for 2nd place or for 3rd place the judges through the scores of the fifth judge (Head Judge)