Trinidad & Tobago is hosting a mix of traditional celebrations and athletic competitions this summer. From the first Caribbean Games to the 5th Annual Muhtadi Drum Festival, the destination offers a broad selection of festivals that highlight the harmony of diverse ethnicities as well as sporting events that showcase the region’s talented athletes.

The Tobago Heritage Festival (July 11 to Aug. 1) is a tribute to the island’s traditions and the impact of Tobago’s predominant African heritage. Tobagonians from various communities have used this celebration of culture to educate and entertain visitors and the youth.

Each village contributes its own presentation. The main event each year is the traditional Ole Time Wedding, hosted in the village of Moriah. This marriage ceremony highlights the influences of European culture on the local population featuring a procession of the satin-garbed and top-hatted wedding party and guests dancing in the streets.

The Hampton International Games (July 25 to 26) is geared towards promoting Trinidad & Tobago as one of the region’s leading centers for international athletic competition. Now in its 52nd year, the games, sanctioned by the National Amateur Athletic Association of Trinidad and Tobago, grooms budding champions and provides a forum for Caribbean athletes to measure their talent against international standards.

The Emancipation Day Celebrations (July 29 to Aug. 2) is a five-day event commemorating the emancipation of African slaves in Trinidad & Tobago on Aug. 1, 1834. The observance takes the form of various activities and events that include lectures, local entertainment, art, cultural and educational exhibitions, street and flambeau processions in addition to a Great Race, a power boat race from Trinidad to Tobago.

The Tobago Muhtadi Drumming Festival (Aug. 1 and 2) showcases the cross-cultural influences of the drum. The festival will take place at the Dwight Yorke Stadium. A celebration of rhythm and culture, the two-day event features workshops, individual performances and group productions performed by percussionists from the Caribbean and around the world.