International Soca Monarch

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Carnival & ParadePort of Spain
DatesDates TBA · Usually FebruaryCheck locally before booking
DurationAnnualEstimate from available data
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forMasks, paradesThe competition split soca into two distinct
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: TTD
CategoryCarnival & ParadeFestival type
The story

International Soca Monarch in Port of Spain

International Soca Monarch was an annual soca music competition founded in 1993 by William Munroe, with finals traditionally held on Fantastic Friday, the Friday before Carnival, in Trinidad and Tobago. It crowned separate Power Soca Monarch and Groovy Soca Monarch titles for uptempo and slower-paced songs.

William Munroe founded International Soca Monarch in 1993, headquartered in Port of Spain, at a moment when soca, the uptempo genre that had grown out of calypso through the 1970s and 1980s, was still competing for stature against calypso's older institutions like the Calypso Monarch.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

The competition split soca into two distinct judged lanes: Power Soca Monarch for uptempo songs at 135 beats per minute and above, and Groovy Soca Monarch for slower-paced, melodic songs at 134 bpm and below, recognising that soca had grown into two genuinely different performance styles rather than one uniform genre

02

The mystery stays covered

Held on Fantastic Friday, the last major ticketed show before Carnival Monday and Tuesday, it became one of the highest-stakes nights on the soca calendar, a stage where artists could make or break a Carnival season's reputation in a single high-energy set

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The competition sits within Trinidad's broader soca tradition

Water and renewal

Living ritual

itself an evolution of calypso pioneered from the 1970s onward

The sacred route

Living ritual

and formalised the genre's split into power and groovy sub-styles that soca artists and fete-goers already recognised informally

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually February

Getting around

Getting to International Soca Monarch works best when the return plan is settled before arrival.

What to wear

Festive fete wear, comfortable and suited to hours of standing and dancing outdoors; bright Carnival colours are common.

Safety

For International Soca Monarch, keep the basics simple: small bag, charged phone, meeting point and respect for crowd controls.

Where to stay

For peak dates, book flexible lodging near reliable routes into and out of Port of Spain.

Tickets/cost

Many carnival moments are public, but confirm paid areas or stands before travel.

Language/currency

TTD

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map10.67 N, 61.52 WOpen in Google Maps

Port of Spain, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago

Nearest airportPOS — Piarco
TransportGetting to International Soca Monarch works best when the return plan is settled before arrival.
Stay areaFor peak dates, book flexible lodging near reliable routes into and out of Port of Spain.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Port of Spain via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Port of Spain, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for February.Compare faresFestival gearFestive fete wear, comfortable and suited to hours of standing and dancing outdoors; bright Carnival colours are common.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for Trinidad and Tobago and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is International Soca Monarch?

International Soca Monarch is listed for February. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does International Soca Monarch take place?

The festival is listed in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

Annual is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Needs editorial review. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Port of Spain, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLAwaiting confirmation
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually February
Source statusNeeds editorial review
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