Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has broadened her administration’s restrictions on Carnival activities at national sporting venues, extending a recently announced ban at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy (BLCA) to two additional sites in the capital.
Persad-Bissessar said she has instructed Attorney General John Jeremie and Sports Minister Phillip Watts to “implement an immediate ban on the hosting of all fetes at the Hasley Crawford Stadium and the Jean Pierre Complex.” The move comes just weeks after she halted all Carnival fetes at the BLCA, citing persistent noise pollution affecting nearby communities.
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“I instructed that all fetes at the Brian Lara Stadium be stopped as the noise has become unbearable for residents,” she said. “For far too long, the issue of noise pollution and its negative impact on communities has been ignored. My government is committed to addressing this, as promised.”
The BLCA had become a major hub for Carnival events. The prime minister also reiterated her administration’s plan to pass updated fireworks legislation and strengthened noise pollution laws by the end of 2025. The measures will include designated quiet hours and stricter limits on fetes, music trucks, residential parties, and bars.
San Fernando Mayor Robert Parris said Skinner Park remains open and available for large-scale cultural and entertainment events. The long-standing venue hosts international concerts and key Carnival fixtures such as the Calypso Fiesta, Chutney Soca Monarch Finals, and Panorama. Parris said the council will meet soon to explore expanding its use for the upcoming Carnival season.
“Imagine Carnival without fetes,” he said. “Fetes drive Carnival Monday and Tuesday and generate foreign exchange. They stimulate another part of the orange economy that contributes significantly to GDP.”
Former tourism, culture, and arts minister Randall Mitchell cautioned the government against enacting cultural policies that marginalize younger audiences or diminish the country’s creative output.
“Noise pollution is a legitimate concern, but banning cultural events and event spaces is not the solution,” he told the Trinidad Guardian. “Nuisance issues require balance—protecting residents’ peace while allowing the cultural economy to thrive.”
In her latest directive, Persad-Bissessar said exceptions for Hasley Crawford Stadium and the Jean Pierre Complex will only apply to events held from the Thursday before Carnival Monday and Tuesday until the Saturday following the celebration. Additionally, all fetes at Ministry of Sports facilities must start no earlier than noon and end by 10 p.m.
She added that the National Carnival Commission has been instructed to work with qualified acoustic engineers to design sound systems that minimize noise and vibration impacts on nearby communities.
“As we move forward, my government remains committed to balancing culture and community well-being—protecting our traditions while safeguarding the peace of our citizens,” the prime minister said. “Together we will build a more respectful, responsible, and harmonious Trinidad and Tobago.”
