It’s carnival season around the world and soon will be here here in St. Thomas and around the USVIs. Read up on the interesting history of Caribbean Carnival here, including celebrations held on St. Croix and St. John.

This year marks the 68th annual V.I. Carnival (That’s the proper name of the St. Thomas celebration). Over the decades, St. Thomas has created its own unique and spectacular festival which stunning costumes, delightful street parties in a sequined, musical extravaganza.

This year, the kickoff event takes place March 7 at Market Square and features performances by Spectrum Band, Calypso Monarch contestants, and other local and regional artists. On April 4, Calypso Elimination will take place at Havensight. The popular Prince and Princess Show is set for April 12 at the UVI Sports and Fitness Center, and J’ouvert Warmup, ‘Rum, Powder and Mas,’ is scheduled for 5 a.m. April 25 on the Weymouth Rhymer Highway, beginning at the intersection at Cost-U-Less and ending at Fort Mylner.

Free to the public, the Carnival Village opens at the Fort Christian Parking Lot on April 24 and highlights local entertainment from the territory and the wider region, featuring Pumpa, Adam O, Farmer Nappy, Lyrikal, Nadia Batson, Ricardo Dru, Teddyson John, and Morgan Heritage.

Organizers are planning a boat race for April 26 at the waterfront, where high-end vessels race for cash prizes totaling $20,000. The Children’s Parade is set for May 1 followed by the Adults’ Parade on May 2, which are key fixtures for this year’s celebrations.

More information on the annual event is available by viewing the official calendar for Carnival Virgin Islands. , St. Thomas.

Celebrate Carnival in the Virgin Islands