These Two Caribbean Islands Are Getting a Lobster and Conch Festival

The rhythm of Grenada’s Sister Isles is written in the sea. Boats push off from the shore in the first light, hauling in lobster traps and conch shells, while smoke from seaside grills drifts across the breeze. On weekends, neighbors gather around tables piled high with cracked lambie, grilled lobster, and freshly caught fish, a tradition that has long defined Carriacou and Petite Martinique.

Now that heritage is about to take center stage. In January 2026, the Grenada Tourism Authority will launch the inaugural Lambie and Lobster Festival, a new celebration designed to spotlight the seafood, fishing traditions, and cultural spirit of Grenada’s two Sister Isles. It’s a first-of-its-kind event that brings together culinary talent, music, competitions, and storytelling in a way that highlights both the resilience and hospitality of the islands.

For travelers, it’s more than a food festival — it’s a chance to immerse in island life, to taste the flavors that define a community, and to experience Carriacou and Petite Martinique not just as destinations but as living, working cultures deeply connected to the sea.

A Festival of Flavors

The January program begins in Carriacou with a welcome ceremony of local entertainment, string band music, and vendor stalls filled with freshly prepared seafood dishes. Visitors will find lobster salad, cracked lambie, and creative takes on mahi-mahi and other catches of the day, with live cooking demonstrations offering a window into island traditions. Boat tours will give guests a chance to see the natural beauty of the surrounding waters and the communities that depend on them.

Island Competitions and Culture

The celebration extends to Petite Martinique, where the festival takes on a playful and participatory spirit. Fishing and filleting competitions showcase the skills of local fishermen, while tug-of-war matches and the lively grease-the-pole contest draw cheering crowds. These events are more than games — they reflect the strength and creativity of people whose lives are intertwined with the sea.

Why It Matters

For Grenada’s Tri-Island State, the Lambie and Lobster Festival is also a milestone. It signals a new commitment to promoting Carriacou and Petite Martinique as integral to the country’s tourism story. After the devastation of Hurricane Beryl last year, the event underscores resilience, shining a light on the way fishing and seafood not only sustain communities but also drive new opportunities for visitors and businesses alike.

As Senator Adrian Thomas put it during the launch, the festival is “much more than a celebration of food, it is a celebration of identity.” Lobster and lambie may be the headline, but the festival is about everything seafood — and everything that makes Carriacou and Petite Martinique unique.