Junkanoo is the quintessential celebration of the islands, a parade complete with colourful costumes, goatskin drums, jangling cowbells, raucous, shak-shak and others. The cacaphony of horns, whistles, drums and cowbells can be heard long before the brightly coloured procession appears.  Islanders, school children, teenager
and residents spend months to create vivid imagiantive costumes made from cardboard, crepe paper, glue, contact cement and wire material. Making costumes is considered 'Labour of Love' and the key is colour in every line and shade. Some of them are masterpieces and Junkanoo Expo now preserves some of the best pieces for exhibit.

Junkanoo is traditionally staged in the early hours of December 26th and January 1st. It is one of the examples of the unique culture in the Turks & Caicos Islands. 
 

Junkanoo is believed to have begun during the 16th and 17th century. The slaves were given a special holiday at Christmas time when they could leave the plantation to be with their families and celebrate the holidays with African dance, music and costumes. After Emancipation they contiued this tradition and today Junkanoo has evolved from its simple origins to a formal more organized parade with sophisticated costumes, themes, music and incentive prices. Some credit the catchy name to 'Joh Canoe', a legendary West African Chieftain.