Antigua Carnival

Antigua Carnival
logo of Antigua Carnival, with abstract image of a person playing a steel drum and wearing colorful feathers
Antigua Carnival logo
Observed byAntigua (Antigua and Barbuda)
TypeCultural
Significancecelebration of emancipation
Celebrationsprocessions, music, dancing, and the use of masquerade
Datelate July through early August
2023 date27 July - 8 August
FrequencyAnnual
First time1957
Related toCaribbean Carnival, Carnival, Christmas, Emancipation, Calypso, Soca, Pan music, Zouk

The Antiguan Carnival is a celebration of emancipation from slavery, held annually on the island of Antigua. It is a thirteen-day festival of colorful costumes, beauty pageants, talent shows, and music.[1][2][3] The festival begins in late July and ends the first Tuesday in August, known as Carnival Tuesday.[1][2] Both Carnival Monday and Carnival Tuesday are public holidays on the island.[1] Antiguan Carnival replaced the Old Time Christmas Festival in 1957,[2][3] with hopes of inspiring tourism in Antigua and Barbuda.[1] Some elements of the Old Time Christmas Festival remain in the modern Carnival celebrations.

One of the biggest events of Antiguan Carnival is that of the j'ouvert (or juvé), in which brass and steel bands perform for much of the island's population, starting early in the morning.[1][2] Other major events of Antiguan Carnival include the Party Monarch and Calypso Monarch competitions of Calypsonians, the Panorama steel band competition, the Parade of Bands, the Miss Antigua Pageant, and the Caribbean Queen's Competition.[2][4][5] The festival also includes numerous smaller festivities, such as local concerts, food fairs, parades, and cultural shows.[2]

  1. ^ a b c d e "History of Antigua's Carnival". Antigua's Carnival | Antigua Barbuda Festivals Commission. Retrieved 2024-04-28.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "Antigua's Carnival". Visit Antigua & Barbuda. 2018-09-17. Retrieved 2024-04-28.
  3. ^ a b "8 of the best Caribbean carnivals". Travel. 2023-07-14. Retrieved 2024-04-28.
  4. ^ "Eight bands to battle in this year's 2023 panorama competition". Antigua News. 2023-07-17.
  5. ^ "Antigua and Barbuda Gears Up for "Caribbean's Greatest Summer Festival"". Caribbean Journal. 2022-06-08. Retrieved 2024-04-28.