Carnaval des Antilles - Exuberant joy of life
Let yourself be carried away, forget everyday life. Enjoy the spectacle. Experience the Caribbean at its best. Participation in one of the parades (on Guadeloupe, only on request, as a group or individual guests) is also possible. The periods vary. On the French islands during our Carnival season and on the English-speaking and Dutch islands in July/August. Antigua and Guadeloupe are certainly the best known, but there is also plenty on offer on the other islands.
Antigua
The Antigua Carnival takes place in the streets of St John's and in the cricket stadium, the Antigua Recreation Ground ARG, from the end of July to the first Tuesday in August. The stadium will be transformed into Carneval City. A festival ground with all kinds of stalls and stands is set up next to it. The carnival is also known as the biggest summer festival in the Eastern Caribbean. It is a gigantic spectacle with steel bands, soca, calypso, zouk and other tropical music rhythms. Parades, concerts (some for a fee, tickets can be purchased in advance) and folklore performances alternate with each other.
The highlight is the first Monday in August, the so-called "J'ouvert" with many concerts. The prizes for the best performances, the most magnificent costumes etc. are awarded on another day, during the so-called "last lap" - the name given to this festive day.
Guadeloupe
Carnival in Guadeloupe takes place from the first Sunday in January until Ash Wednesday. The biggest spectacle takes place in Pointe-à-Pitre, Basse-Terre, Sainte-Rose, Bouillante and Saint-Francois. What Shrove Thursday is in Germany, Shrove Sunday is in Guadeloupe. Masked people walk around everywhere. Then the 3 "hard" days of carnival begin. Monday is the day of the funny masks (masques burlesques) and in some communities there are evening parades. Tuesday is the day of the symbolic figures of carnival: "Vaval" and "Boeuf Gras", which are presented on floats during parades. The king of carnival - Vaval - is then burned on Ash Wednesday. Rehearsals are sometimes held throughout the year. The best-known groups: Akiyo from Les Abymes (since 1970) with the slogan "gwoup a po" and Vokoum from Basse-Terre (since 1988) with the slogan "mizik a mas gwo siwo". You can not only watch, but also take part in parades under certain conditions, e.g. in Sainte-Rose. We will be happy to inform you
Anguilla
With its slow-motion rhythm, you wouldn't believe that the tranquil island has so much to offer. The 14-day carnival at the end of July to mid-August is also known here as the Anguilla Summer Festival.... and is the biggest event on the sandy island. First there is a kick-off festival in The Valley on the first evening with nightly fireworks, a parade and musical performances (admission free). This is followed by the Children's Carnival with talent competitions and parades. Then at the beginning of August is the South Valley Festival with music concerts, stalls and a warm-up boat race for the highlight - the J'Ouvert in Sandy Ground.In the morning, a march with several thousand participants with Soca and Calypso groups goes to Sandy Ground. The time: 5 a.m. ....., after which the beach party begins. The party boat race starts at 12 noon and the party goes on until after midnight. This is followed by events such as the Grande Parade of Troupes in the Valley and concerts on the following days until the Boat Race of Champions on the final day.
Saba
21/07 - 26/07/2021 Saba Carnival - Saba Summer Festival
The Saba Summer Festival - as the carnival on this small island is known - was celebrated for the first time 47 years ago in 1975. In the last week of July, the island of 2000 inhabitants has enough "spice per mile" to put on a magnificent carnival. The highlights are the opening day with the "Opening Night Jump up", a street parade, concerts, costume performances and of course the parades on the following Saturday and Sunday.