Carnival in Antigua – excitement and fun

Carnival is our favorite summer highlight

And for good reason! It’s huge fun and lasts for a full 13 days (after which everybody feels like needing a holiday…😉 )

If you are an adventure seeker or a party lover, mark these dates in your calendar:
the last week of July and the first week of August.

You’ll have a ball – trust me. Just prepare your senses for a wild ride, as you dive headfirst into the vibrant world of
Antiguan Carnival: An explosion of colors, infectious rhythms, and great fun.

But first a dash of history:

Before we get into the details of the festivities, let’s take a quick dip into the historical pool of Antigua’s Carnival.

Legend has it that this jubilant celebration dates back to the late 18th century when slaves were given two days off during the sugar cane harvest season. These two days became an opportunity for the enslaved to express themselves, celebrate their cultural heritage, and temporarily escape the hardships of their daily lives.

Over the years, the Carnival evolved.

Today, we observe carnival in Antigua to celebrate the abolition of slavery, blending African traditions with European influences.

Preparations start long before carnival actually begins:

Months before carnival, you can sense the electrifying buzz in the air as Antiguans prepare for the big event.

The locals take their costumes very seriously, spending countless hours meticulously designing and crafting jaw-dropping masterpieces. Seamstresses and tailors work around the clock, stitching together sequins, feathers, and sparkles to create outfits that could rival the grandest peacock.

The dedication is awe-inspiring, and witnessing their creative process feels like being granted backstage access to a fashion show in a parallel universe!

And let’s not talk about the steel bands. In the month before the big event, you can see them playing and perfecting their skills in backyards, at school yards and private homes.

It’s fun to watch and they don’t mind visitors at all!

Program Highlights:

Every day during the two weeks offers something special, but here are my favorite must-sees:

Opening Parade:

Brace yourself as the Carnival kicks off with an explosion of vibrant colors and pulsating beats. Watch as the streets transform into a kaleidoscope of energy, with revelers in spectacular costumes, dancing with never-ending energy to infectious soca and calypso tunes.

It is really an experience.

The Calypso Monarch Competition is certainly a locals’ favorite, but if you don’t understand the dialect, it’s sometimes difficult to pick up on the humorous and satirical songs… 😉

We also have a Teenage Pageants and we have the popular Jaycee’s Queen’s Show on offer, where the beauties of all Caribbean islands are competing for the crown.

My favorite is Panorama: The steel band competition.

It’s an amazing event. Each band of sometimes up to a hundred players work their steel drums without missing a bit …  It feels, as if the entire stadium is moving with their rhythm. A truly special experience.

J’Ouvert Morning and another highlight.

That’s the morning after the Calypso show, where the Calypso King is crowned. The show oftentimes goes until late into the night and then, after two or three hours of silence, St. John’s comes back to live. At around 5am, just before the sun rises, every soca, reggae, calypso and steel band is loaded on their waiting trucks. And at 6am sharp, the parade of vehicles then proceeds on a set route through St. John’s, while the bands are playing their favorite tunes.

The sun is just coming out, there are thousands of people in town, you can get breakfast and drinks at the road side, and everybody is dancing and celebrating. Fabulous!

Grand Parade:

The grand finale takes place on Carnival’s Tuesday. Once again in St. John’s, the streets come alive with elaborate costumes, synchronized dance troupes, and awe-inspiring floats. It’s a feast for the eyes, and you’ll find yourself swaying to the infectious rhythm, completely unable to resist joining the vibrant procession.

Unleash the Fun:

Apart from the official program, Antigua’s Carnival offers countless opportunities for spontaneous revelry and unforgettable memories. Here are a few fun things to do:

Street Food Frenzy:

Carnival is the perfect excuse to indulge in Antigua’s mouthwatering street food. From savory jerk chicken to fried plantains and fresh seafood delicacies, your taste buds will be excited non-stop. If street food is not your style, you can check-out EPI, our #1 supermarket, who also has carnival specials on offer…. 

Enjoy the breakfast fetes, which tend to start between 6am and 8am (yep, you won’t get much sleep during carnival…)

T-Shirt Mas.

If you like you can actively join in and participate in T-Shirt Mas.

If you hear “I’m playing Mas!” from Antiguans, it means, they are participating in carnival.

Mas is short for masquerade and refers to the people wearing costumes and masks.
By the way: If you like, you can also join! For a fee, you can purchase a ticket that includes your T-Shirt and drinks, and off you go!

Beach Bashes:

If you want to take a break from the Carnival madness, there are always our beaches. Join impromptu beach parties, bask in the sun, and cool off in the crystal-clear waters. Just remember to slather on the sunscreen – you don’t want to resemble a lobster in your Carnival photos!

You can find the actual calendar with all dates and times here: visit Antigua and Barbuda

Oh and PS.: Please note, I cannot be held responsible for any dance-induced muscle soreness or excessive tiredness experienced while attending Antigua’s Carnival. 😉

Foto courtesy Timokefoto/Pixabay