BVI EMANCIPATION CELEBRATION IN AUGUST!

The biggest cultural fete in the BVI is in Tortola in August, the event is known as the Emancipation Festival and also as August Festival. It’s a celebration of Emancipation. Activities include pageants, food fair, musical shows, horse races and parade.

Get ready! Every August, a costumed party takes place where live and local music, delicacies and dance is put in the spotlight. The BVI Emancipation Festival is a territory-wide holiday, taking place July 27th through August 5th, 2019.

Days with plenty of time for celebration and festivity. A program that spans the week leading up to the official start of the Festival sees smaller events for family and all ages take place in Road Town, Tortola. In the image gallery, we post some sights from last year’s Festival.

On Festival Sunday, Road Town puts on a long parade complete with brightly-colored costumed dancers with sequins and feathers. Men and women participate in choreographed fun. Restaurants that line the path feature refreshing cocktails and drinks that have local flavors, like frozen melon daiquiris. To prove who’s the most spirited, those with fancy car sound systems will take their rides to the parade in a show of vibrant music.

Join in and celebrate all that defines the British Virgin Islands! It’s the best time of the year.

Venue and Details