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Trinidad and Tobago🇹🇹 | festivalsHosayTadjah replicas, tassa drums, moon dance, final night at sea | things to do and best time to go

Explore Emancipation DayExplore Tobago Heritage Festival

Backpacking in Hosay
👀 For curious travelersfestival ranked #8
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 22, 2026

Hosay suits curious travelers who like their culture loud, communal and unstaged, with drums you feel in your sternum. If you want a polished festival with tickets, wristbands and a schedule that runs on time, you may find it less rewarding. Hosay is held in St. James, the western edge of Port of Spain in Trinidad and Tobago, and marks the martyrdom of Imam Hussein and his companions with several nights of drumming, processions and moving tadjahs, elaborate hand-built replicas of tombs. Most visitors arrive expecting a carnival and leave quieter than they came. Dress modestly, keep your camera respectful, and ask before photographing. Arrive early, because road closures turn a short taxi ride into a long walk, and carry small cash for water. Unlike Hosay in Cedros, in the deep southwest, the St. James version is a dense city street event with tassa drummers and crowds pressed close.

Discover everything you want to know in the 📖 Trinidad and Tobago Travel Guide.


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✨ Why go?
Ranked #8 festival in Trinidad and TobagoThe unique appeal for travelers

Hosay pulls backpackers because it is one of the few Trinidad events where you stand in the street beside the people making it, with no stage between you. The tassa drumming in St. James builds through the evening until the whole block seems to pulse, and strangers will explain the tadjahs, the moon and the meaning if you ask politely. That makes it a rare window into the island's Indo-Trinidadian and Muslim heritage, far from beach-and-bar itineraries. It is also free to watch, which matters when Carnival prices run high. The two tall tadjahs and the smaller ones carried in procession are built over weeks, so you see real craft rather than a staged show. Slot it into a longer Caribbean route as a short, intense detour, then move on to the beaches of Tobago with a far better story than most.

💡 HighlightsMust-see experiences and standout moments

  1. The Tadjah Procession in St. James: Towering, intricately decorated replicas of the tomb of Imam Hussein, built from bamboo, paper and tinsel, are carried through the streets on shoulders. Seeing them sway above the crowd is the image everyone searches for.
  2. Tassa Drumming: The sharp, rolling beat of the tassa drums is the heartbeat of the nights. Drummers compete and trade rhythms, and the sound carries for blocks.
  3. The Moon Dance: Participants carry crescent-topped moon structures and dance them through the streets, a distinct ritual that feels playful next to the solemn tadjahs.
  4. Tadjah Building Yards: In the days before the main nights, families and craftsmen assemble the tadjahs at local yards. Visitors who ask politely can often watch the work and hear how designs are passed down.
  5. The Final
… read more 👉
  1. The Tadjah Procession in St. James: Towering, intricately decorated replicas of the tomb of Imam Hussein, built from bamboo, paper and tinsel, are carried through the streets on shoulders. Seeing them sway above the crowd is the image everyone searches for.
  2. Tassa Drumming: The sharp, rolling beat of the tassa drums is the heartbeat of the nights. Drummers compete and trade rhythms, and the sound carries for blocks.
  3. The Moon Dance: Participants carry crescent-topped moon structures and dance them through the streets, a distinct ritual that feels playful next to the solemn tadjahs.
  4. Tadjah Building Yards: In the days before the main nights, families and craftsmen assemble the tadjahs at local yards. Visitors who ask politely can often watch the work and hear how designs are passed down.
  5. The Final Night at the Sea: On the last night the tadjahs are brought toward the water and ceremonially laid to rest, a quiet, emotional close that contrasts with the loud nights before.
Watching the processions from the street costs nothing, so the tadjah procession is the cheapest highlight of all.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

Things to do around Hosay

Trinidad Nighttime Food Tour

Trinidad Nighttime Food Tour

5.0(140) 3h
From €63
per personViator
Trinidad Highlights Tour from Port of Spain

Trinidad Highlights Tour from Port of Spain

4.7(81) 5h
From €73
per personViator
Trinidad Highlights and Scenic Drive Tour

Trinidad Highlights and Scenic Drive Tour

4.6(68) 3h 30m
From €99
per personViator
Port of Spain and Fort George Sightseeing Tour

Port of Spain and Fort George Sightseeing Tour

4.7(48) 3h
From €50
per personViator
Trinidad Northern Eco-Cultural Full-Day Highlights Tour from Port of Spain

Trinidad Northern Eco-Cultural Full-Day Highlights Tour from Port of Spain

4.9(41) 8h
From €122
per personViator
Mini Island Tour of Trinidad

Mini Island Tour of Trinidad

4.5(52) 5h
From €69
per personViator
Day Trip to Maracas Beach

Day Trip to Maracas Beach

4.7(38) 4h
From €54
per personViator
Avocat Waterfall Tour & Beach Stop Package

Avocat Waterfall Tour & Beach Stop Package

4.5(40)
From €109
per personViator
Caroni Bird Sanctuary Tour

Caroni Bird Sanctuary Tour

4.8(29) 4h
From €68
per personViator
Maracas Beach Excursion & City Pass by tour. A MUST DO!!!

Maracas Beach Excursion & City Pass by tour. A MUST DO!!!

5.0(23)
From €43
per personViator

Ratings based on Tripadvisor reviews. When you book through this link, you support our work at no extra cost to you.

🌤️ When to go?When is the celebration of Hosay?

Hosay is held over about three nights in the Islamic month of Muharram, so the dates shift roughly 11 days earlier each year, and the main action takes place in St. James, Port of Spain, on the west side of the capital.
  • Best night: The tadjahs (ornate model tombs) and the crescent and moon floats parade on the final night, when the procession reaches its peak along Western Main Road. The earlier nights are quieter and let you see the drumming (tassa) up close.
  • Weather: Expect 24 to 31°C (75 to 88°F) with passing showers, depending on the year the festival falls. Bring a light rain jacket, closed shoes for crowded pavement and a water bottle.
  • Booking: There is no ticketing. Book a bed 3 to 4 weeks ahead, because rates in Port of Spain may rise 10 to 20 percent.
  • Crowds: Western Main Road closes
… read more 👉
Hosay is held over about three nights in the Islamic month of Muharram, so the dates shift roughly 11 days earlier each year, and the main action takes place in St. James, Port of Spain, on the west side of the capital.
  • Best night: The tadjahs (ornate model tombs) and the crescent and moon floats parade on the final night, when the procession reaches its peak along Western Main Road. The earlier nights are quieter and let you see the drumming (tassa) up close.
  • Weather: Expect 24 to 31°C (75 to 88°F) with passing showers, depending on the year the festival falls. Bring a light rain jacket, closed shoes for crowded pavement and a water bottle.
  • Booking: There is no ticketing. Book a bed 3 to 4 weeks ahead, because rates in Port of Spain may rise 10 to 20 percent.
  • Crowds: Western Main Road closes to traffic, so arrive by late afternoon and leave on foot toward Woodbrook or by maxi-taxi before the procession ends.
Arrive early on the main night to claim a good spot along the road.


source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: not recommended for travelingFEBFebruary: not recommended for travelingMARMarch: not recommended for travelingAPRApril: not recommended for travelingMAYMay: not recommended for travelingJUNJune: not recommended for travelingJULJuly: not recommended for travelingAUGAugust: not recommended for travelingSEPSeptember: not recommended for travelingOCTOctober: highly recommended for travelingNOVNovember: highly recommended for travelingDECDecember: not recommended for traveling

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🛏️ Where to stay?Choosing the right base

Woodbrook is the best base for backpackers, sitting right beside St. James and the procession route, about a 15 to 25 minute walk from the festival area. Its restaurants, bars and guesthouses attract a mix of solo travelers, volunteers and young professionals, so conversation comes easily at communal tables. Streets are lively until late and reasonably well lit, though stick to main roads after dark and take a taxi for the last stretch home. Expect dorm beds or simple private rooms from about US$25 to 70 a night, with prices climbing as Hosay nears.
Downtown Port of Spain is cheaper and closer … read more 👉
Woodbrook is the best base for backpackers, sitting right beside St. James and the procession route, about a 15 to 25 minute walk from the festival area. Its restaurants, bars and guesthouses attract a mix of solo travelers, volunteers and young professionals, so conversation comes easily at communal tables. Streets are lively until late and reasonably well lit, though stick to main roads after dark and take a taxi for the last stretch home. Expect dorm beds or simple private rooms from about US$25 to 70 a night, with prices climbing as Hosay nears.
Downtown Port of Spain is cheaper and closer to the main bus terminals, but it empties after business hours and feels less safe at night. St. James itself puts you in the middle of the action, with late-night street food and easy walking to the processions, yet lodging options are limited and book up quickly. Choose Woodbrook if you want a social base and can plan transport back by registered taxi once the crowds thin.
Best hostels in Trinidad and Tobago


Best quality hotels in Trinidad and Tobago

👛 Costs (as of 22 October 2026)Travel costs and budget guide for Hosay

A day at Hosay costs roughly US$47 to 110 for an independent traveler, with US$85 as a typical total including a mid-range bed.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Festival ticketsUS$0The processions are public and free to watch on the street.
AccommodationUS$30 to 70Guesthouse rooms and dorms in Woodbrook fill early and rise in price during the festival.
Local transportUS$2 to 10Maxi-taxis and PH taxis serve St. James; shared taxis cost a few dollars and late rides cost more.
Food & drinksUS$10 to 20Doubles, roti and juices from stalls; cash is preferred.
Miscellaneous expensesUS$5 to 10Water, rain gear, small donations and phone data.
Total Daily BudgetUS$47 to 110About US$85 with a mid-range bed.
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

🍲 FoodWhat to Eat & Drink

Street food around the festival is the draw. In St. James, vendors line Western Main Road with doubles (curried chickpeas in soft fried bara), roti wraps, pholourie and smoky corn soup. Stalls also tend to serve chow (spicy fruit) and gyros late into the night, all roughly US$1 to 8 per item.
Drinks are simple and sweet. Look for coconut water cut open on the spot, sorrel and fresh juices. Hosay is observed with respect, and the neighborhood has a strong Muslim tradition, so alcohol is far less visible along the procession than at other Trinidad festivals.
Try doubles with a little pepper sauce and a cold coconut water to feel the rhythm of the evening, and look for sweet gulab jamun or sawine if offered by community stalls. Carry cash in small bills because most vendors do not take cards. Lines … read more 👉
Street food around the festival is the draw. In St. James, vendors line Western Main Road with doubles (curried chickpeas in soft fried bara), roti wraps, pholourie and smoky corn soup. Stalls also tend to serve chow (spicy fruit) and gyros late into the night, all roughly US$1 to 8 per item.
Drinks are simple and sweet. Look for coconut water cut open on the spot, sorrel and fresh juices. Hosay is observed with respect, and the neighborhood has a strong Muslim tradition, so alcohol is far less visible along the procession than at other Trinidad festivals.
Try doubles with a little pepper sauce and a cold coconut water to feel the rhythm of the evening, and look for sweet gulab jamun or sawine if offered by community stalls. Carry cash in small bills because most vendors do not take cards. Lines move quickly but queue properly, and order the slight spicy level (“slight pepper”) if you are unsure. Eat standing, keep your hands free for the drums, and be ready for portions that are generous.

FAQCommon questions from travelers

Hosay takes place over about three nights during the Islamic month of Muharram, so the dates move about 11 days earlier each year. The main procession is held in St. James, Port of Spain, and the final night is the biggest. Check the lunar calendar a few weeks ahead to confirm the nights.
Hosay costs nothing to watch, since the street processions along Western Main Road are free. Your main costs are a bed in Woodbrook at around US$30 to 70 a night, food at US$10 to 20 a day and local transport at US$2 to 10. Plan on about US$47 to 110 per day in total.
Hosay does not need tickets, because the processions and drumming are open to the public on the streets of St. James. What you do need in advance is a bed, ideally booked 3 to 4 weeks ahead in Woodbrook or Port of Spain. Arrive by late afternoon on the main night to find a good viewing spot.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Trinidadian and Tobagonian festivals near Hosay

Explore more nearby:

  • Great Fete Weekend—All-inclusive tickets, stadium soca, fete wear, late doubles| 1 km away
  • Carnival—J’Ouvert mud, feathered bands, Savannah stages, Moko Jumbies| 3 km away
  • Emancipation Day—Libation rites, hand drums, African dress, August 1 march| 3 km away

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We 💚 feedbackKey takeaways before you go

Hosay is easy to treat as a spectacle, but the small moments matter more: the hush before the drums start, families sharing food on the curb. I would arrive early, stay late, and put the camera away for the quiet stretches.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on in-depth research, insights shared by experienced travelers, and feedback from the local travel community in Trinidad and Tobago. While every effort is made to keep the information accurate and current, conditions can change — so if you spot anything incorrect or outdated, please get in touch.



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