Terms & Conditions
DO YOU HAVE AGE RESTRICTIONS?
Yes, you will need to be 18 years or over, at the time of the event to participate in the band on Carnival Monday. ID is required on collection.
WHAT FORMS OF ID WILL BE REQUIRED FOR COLLECTION?
We will accept a driving license or passport, or any form of photo ID, which contains your date of birth. Your ID must match the DOB registered on your account.
CAN I GET DRINKS IN A REGULAR CUP?
Drinks will ONLY be served in an Caribbean Sessions Cup, which will not be replaced if lost.
DO YOU PLAY SOCA MUSIC FROM DIFFERENT CARIBBEAN ISLANDS ON BOTH DAYS?
Yes, we have a variety of local and international Djs, that will play music from the different Caribbean islands to ensure that you have a fantastic experience on the road.
WHAT IF NHC IS CANCELLED?
In the eventuality that Notting Hill Carnival is postponed or cancelled, all costumes will be completed and distributed in August 2026. The value of the band fee, (the costs excluding those of the materials and labour for the costume), will be deducted/refunded. The theme due for presentation in the cancelled/postponed year will not be carried over.
REFUNDS
Refunds are not possible on our products. From the point of ordering, garments and materials are ordered. All of our items are custom made to your size and specifications. All payments made against your costume go towards the production process, on the road costs and business overheads.
WHAT IF I WANT TO CANCEL MY COSTUME PURCHASE?
You are welcome to cancel your booking at any time, but your deposit/payments to date are non-refundable. If you wish to sell your package to another person, we will need written notice of the party that the order is being transferred to.
WHEN IS MY PAYMENT DEADLINE?
Costumes*
Deposit is 40% of the total value of the package you order. This is due at the point of placing your order.
All costumes must be ordered by 1st May 2026.
All Costumes must be paid in full no later than 1st June 2026.
IMPORTANT: Failure to meet any of the above payment deadlines will result in the cancellation of your costume. Deposits and payments to date are non-refundable and non-transferrable.
*Excludes Individual costumes which have a separate payment schedule.
HOW DO I PAY FOR MY COSUTUME?
Chic Mas have teamed up with Playmas to manage your orders effectively. Once you have placed your order and created your Playmas account you can log in and make payments anytime you like. Only use your Playmas account to make payments. Any payments made by bank transfer, PayPal or any other means will not count towards your costume and may result in you forfeiting your costume and payments made to date.
PRIVATE & PROMOTED SECTIONS
A private section is a brand within Caribbean Sessions that manage their own production, collection of payments and are contractually responsible for delivery of your costume. Caribbean Sessions are responsible for delivering your “Carnival Experience” music, security, food, drinks and logistics for the day/s.
A promoted section is a brand/s associated with Caribbean Sessions specifically to promote a section to patrons.
OPTIONS, SIZING AND AMENDMENTS
Masqueraders must ensure that options and sizes are inputted as accurately as possible at the point of ordering. Body options are final and cannot be changed/upgraded once you have placed your order. The deadline for changes in sizes is 1st April 2026.
WHEN DO I COLLECT MY COSTUME?
The costume distribution schedule will be emailed to all masqueraders, posted to our website and advertised on our social media channels.
Different sections will have different distribution dates. After the final date for distribution, all uncollected costumes and payments to date will be forfeited and remain the property of Chic Mas. Please ensure you check your email junk/spam folders and social media platforms for distribution announcements.
I’VE PURCHASED A COSTUME FROM ANOTHER MASQUERADER. HOW DO I TRANSFER THE COSTUME TO MY NAME?
Resale costumes are managed in the Playmas system. If you are not clear about any aspect of resales please do not hesitate to contact us at support@chicmasquerade.com. You must attend the correct costume collection day or any collection day thereafter with a copy of the paid in full confirmation and a valid form of photo ID. We are unable to release the costume without a confirmation together with a valid form of photo ID.
COSTUME COLLECTION
Please ensure that your package has been paid in full before attending distribution. We are unable to receive payments during distribution. Packages must be collected by the person named in the order or by a confirmed designated representative. If you do not have a ''Paid in Full'' status on your costume and you believe you have paid in full, please contact us immediately. Please attend your designated day for collection or any distribution day thereafter. Priority will be given to those collecting on their assigned days. Please try and collect on your assigned day to ease congestion and wait times. Please have your original valid photo ID ready when you get to the front of the queue. This will help to speed up the process. We are unable to issue your package without production of a valid form of photo ID. A confirmed designated representative can collect your costume on your behalf but must be named on your Playmas account. They must have a copy of your photo ID, this can be a paper or digital document. Without the above documentation, we are unable to release any costumes.
WHAT DO I EXPECT ON THE DAY?
Playing at the Notting Hill Carnival with Caribbean Sessions is an all inclusive experience. We provide breakfast, snacks, a hot lunch and refreshments for the duration of your time on the road. We are a roped off band with security, road management, stewards and a police escort. We have Toilets on the truck, please be careful on entry and exit. You are free to roam the band as you wish and mingle with friends in other sections. The only times we ask you to get into your section is as we move off and at the judging point. For your safety please remain inside the ropes.
If you cannot find an answer to your question, please email us at support@chicmasquerade.com, where one of our lovely staff members will get back to you with a satisfactory answer.