Carnival is the biggest annual event in the Virgin Islands!

In the Virgin Islands, Carnival is big! The word alone causes an explosion of sensory reactions. People envision the colorful costumes worn by masqueraders in the parades. They can hear the sound of steel pan and soca music. They start swaying and singing or humming a popular road-march tune, and their mouth waters as they think about the dishes they will have at food fair. Carnival is the biggest annual event in the Virgin Islands; and with several islands, there are several celebrations!

Carnival itself is joyous, cultural celebration throughout the Caribbean – a kaleidoscope of music, dance and pageantry, rooted in the region’s diverse historical influences. Colourful costumes reflect the vibrant landscapes, heritage and culture, with the music the very rhythm of island life. Carnival in the Virgin Islands has a distinct flavour as the islands are home to a melting pot of over 100 nationalities – celebrating many cultures!

In the U.S. Virgin Islands there is: VI Carnival on St. Thomas in April/May; the St. John Festival is in June/July; and St. Croix’s Crucian Christmas Carnival is in December/January. In the British Virgin Islands there is: the BVI Emancipation Festival on Tortola in July/August; and the Virgin Gorda Easter Festival in April.

It is a time to celebrate local surroundings, to showcase creativity, to voice social issues and, of course, to party and unite – and there’s nothing like a great party to bring people together!


St. Thomas - Celebration: April 2017


VI Carnival in St. Thomas is a month long event that kicks off with pageants and calypso shows, and really heats up in the last week with hard core partying at the Village, J’ouvert, Food Fair, two parades and fireworks.

Schedule: St. Thomas Carnival 2017 schedule is not yet available, please check back. You can view the 2016 Schedule for an idea of the annual event by clicking here or on the highlighted title above. CLICK HERE!

1 April -Calypso Elimination Tent

9 April - Prince and Princess Show

15 April - Carnival Queen Selection Show

16 April - Carnival Family Fun Day

17 April - Carnival At Schneider Medical

19 April - VI Carnival Culture Night

21 April - VI Carnival Village

22 April - VI Calypso Competition

23 April - Motor Sports Sunday

23 April - Steel Band Jamboree

25 April - Senior
Citizens Quelbe Tramp

26 April - VI Culture Fair

26 April - Carnival Reggae Fest

27 April - Carnival J'Ouvert

28 April - Carnival Children's Parade

29 April - Carnival Adult's Parade

29 April - Carnival Fireworks

29 April - Carnival Last Lap

- St. John Carnival Schedule "www.vicarnivalschedule.com/stjohn/"

St. John Festival is a month long event that starts with steel pan performances and pageants and builds up to the week of July 3rd (Emancipation Day) and the 4th (Independence Day). That final week is party time with the big events: village, food Fair and the parade.

St. Croix - Next Celebration: December 2017 - January 2018


St. Croix hosts its Carnival Festival between Christmas and New Year. The Crucian Christmas Carnival sees events in both Christiansted and Frederiksted including calypso shows, Latin music venues, food fairs, horse races, parades and the village.

Schedule: The Crucian Christmas Carnival 2017/2018 schedule is not yet available, please check back. You can view the 2016/2017 Schedule for an idea of the annual event by clicking here or on the highlighted title above. CLICK HERE!



Tortola - Next Celebration: July to August, 2017


The BVI Emancipation Festival – Tortola Festival

The Tortola Festival is always held early August. This Carnival was created for the Emancipation Day of the British Virgin Islands. The Festival has no limits.

The BVI Emancipation Festival at its best

CLICK HERE!

Virgin Gorda - Next Celebration: April 2017


Easter is party time in Virgin Gorda. Pageants and competitions in early April build up to a weekend of fun filled activities including the village opening, calypso monarch competitions, a morning tramp and parade.

Schedule: The Easter Festival 2017 Schedule is not yet available, please check back. You can view the 2016 Schedule for an idea of the annual event by clicking here or on the highlighted title above. CLICK HERE!