Costumes & Bands
The heart and soul of Cariculture
Play Mas with Cariculture
In Caribbean carnival tradition, "playing mas" means joining a costumed band and marching in the parade. Cariculture brings this beloved tradition to Baytown — register with a band, receive your costume, and become part of the spectacle. Whether you're a seasoned masquerader or a first-timer, there's a band for you.
2027 Parade Bands
Tropic Thunder
OpenRainforest Royalty
A lush, vibrant portrayal of the tropical rainforest — emerald greens, sapphire blues, and bursts of exotic flora. Costumes feature elaborate feathered headdresses and jeweled bodices.
Golden Dynasty
OpenAncient African Kingdoms
A majestic tribute to the great kingdoms of ancient Africa — Kush, Mali, Songhai, and Benin. Rich golds, deep reds, and regal purples with intricate beadwork and metallic accents.
Aqua Mystique
OpenSpirits of the Sea
An ethereal journey beneath the Caribbean Sea — shimmering aquas, ocean blues, and pearl whites. Costumes evoke mermaids, sea creatures, and the mysteries of the deep.
Inferno
OpenFire & Passion
A blazing celebration of passion and energy — fiery reds, burning oranges, and molten golds. High-energy costumes for those who want to bring the heat to the streets.
Celestial
Sold OutStars & Cosmos
A cosmic journey through the universe — midnight blues, silver starbursts, and iridescent galaxies. Futuristic costumes with LED accents and celestial motifs.
Heritage
OpenRoots & Culture
A heartfelt tribute to Caribbean cultural heritage — traditional patterns, earthy tones, and symbols of the African diaspora. A band for those who want to honor the roots of carnival.
How to Register
Choose Your Band
Browse the bands above and select the theme and section that speaks to you.
Select Your Section
Each band has multiple sections (Frontline, Individual, Male, Children) at different price points.
Register & Deposit
Complete your registration online and pay your deposit to secure your costume.
Costume Fitting
Attend your band's costume fitting event (dates TBA) to ensure your costume fits perfectly.
Collect & Play Mas
Collect your completed costume on June 11 and join your band on parade day, June 12!
Steel Orchestras
The heartbeat of any Caribbean carnival is the steel orchestra. Cariculture will feature multiple steel bands performing live throughout the parade, playing the soca and calypso anthems of the season. Steel band registration for performing groups is now open.
Register Your Steel BandParade Participants
Register Your Group
Two categories of performing groups are welcome in the Cariculture Parade. All groups must perform calypso or soca music along the route.
Steel Orchestra Registration
Traditional pan ensembles performing calypso and soca on steel drums. Open to community, youth, and professional steel orchestras of all sizes.
Requirements
- Must perform calypso or soca repertoire
- Minimum 10 pan players
- All steel drum configurations welcome (single pan to full orchestra)
- Original arrangements encouraged
- Must march the full 2-mile route
Marching Band Registration
School, college, and community marching bands — drum lines, brass, woodwinds, and color guard. All bands must incorporate calypso or soca into their performance.
Requirements
- Must incorporate calypso or soca music
- Open to high school, college, and community bands
- Drum lines and percussion-only ensembles welcome
- Color guard and dance corps may accompany
- Must march the full 2-mile route
Questions about group registration? Contact us at parade@mycariculture.com