Port of Spain, Trinidad: Friday, January 23, 2026: More than 10,000 patrons gathered at the Queen’s Park Savannah on Wednesday night as soca superstar Patrice Roberts delivered a powerful concert titled “Always Us” at the National Carnival Commission’s (NCC) Flava Food Village.
An estimated 8,000 people filled the popular Carnival venue, with an additional 2,000 patrons enjoying the show from viewing screens along The Drag, creating an electric Carnival atmosphere despite heavy rainfall earlier in the day. The downpour did little to dampen spirits as patrons turned out in their numbers to celebrate music, culture, and community.
Roberts treated the audience to a high-energy set featuring many of her popular hits. At points during the show, she was joined on stage by fellow artistes, including Farmer Nappy and Shal Marshall, leading to several memorable moments that underscored the celebratory spirit of Carnival.
The concert was described by the artiste as a heartfelt “thank you” to her fans and supporters.
NCC’s Chief Executive Officer, Keiba Jacob-Mottley, said the organisation welcomed the opportunity to partner with Roberts.
“We commend Patrice for her decision to give back in this meaningful way and applaud her commitment to ensuring that high-quality local entertainment remains accessible to everyone during the Carnival season, Mottley said.
“Our collaboration reinforces the NCC’s focus on creating memorable Carnival experiences that celebrate our artistes while removing financial barriers for the public,” she added.
The NCC CEO noted that the Flava Food Village, one of two signature Carnival villages at the Savannah, alongside the John Cupid Carnival Village, is offered as a vibrant, inclusive space where patrons can enjoy food, culture, and nightly performances free of charge. She added that other NCC events, such as “Welcome to the Gayelle” represent the continuing work at delivering a successful Carnival 2026.
Minister of Culture and Community Development, Michelle Benjamin, and NCC Chairman, Peter Kanhai, also joined in celebrating the success of the evening.
Vendors at the Flava Food Village reported strong sales throughout the night, with many welcoming the large turnout as a boost to small and micro-enterprise participation, one of the NCC’s key objectives in establishing the villages.
David Baptiste, President of the Carnival Entrepreneurs Association, described the night as a milestone for vendors at the Savannah.
“Last night was truly beautiful and something I have never seen before – an event of this magnitude in terms of crowd size, and people supporting the vendors. Many vendors sold out last night. We need more of this, and I am looking forward to the next event. Events like these are the way we will boost business for our vendors at the Savannah and make them truly feel part of the Carnival festival,” Baptiste said.
The NCC also expressed its sincere appreciation to the Trinidad and Tobago Fire Service and the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service for their critical support in ensuring the event was delivered in a safe, secure, and comfortable environment for all patrons.
“Initiatives such as this reflect the true spirit of Carnival, community, generosity, and shared enjoyment, and underscore our commitment to working with the creative community to bring the very best of Trinidad and Tobago’s culture to the people,” Jacob-Mottley said.
The NCC extended heartfelt thanks to patrons for their enthusiastic turnout, discipline, and continued support for local culture, noting that the success of events like “Always Us” demonstrates the enduring power of Carnival to bring people together.
