Celebrate St. Thomas Carnival
The spirited energy of St. Thomas soars during the annual St. Thomas Carnival, held April 26 – May 2, 2026, with festive music, dancing in the streets and dazzling costumes. From concerts to boat races, parades and fireworks, carnival in St. Thomas celebrates the rich culture and people of the island.
- Princess and Queen Pageants
- Carnival Boat Races
- Pan-O-Rama
- St. Thomas Carnival Village
- Food Fair
- J’ouvert
- Children’s and Adult Parades
The first St. Thomas Carnival took place in 1912, when the island was part of the Danish West Indies. The festivities included traditions that continue today, including masquerade bands, parades and pageant queens. A second carnival was held in 1914, but it wouldn’t be until 38 years later that St. Thomas hosted another one. In 1952, the carnival tradition was reintroduced by Ron de Lugo, USVI’s first and longest-serving delegate to the U.S. Congress. Since then, St. Thomas has transformed into a whirlwind of colors, music and revelry every April.
Immerse yourself in the traditions and island vibes during the 74th annual St. Thomas Carnival. Dance to calypso and soca music, eat some of the best local fare in the region and watch the skies light up with fireworks. Check out our suggestions for the top things to do during the weeklong celebration.
Princess and Queen Pageants
Contestants exude elegance, talent and cultural pride while competing in the Princess and Queen pageants in the days leading up to the carnival in St. Thomas. Elaborately dressed youngsters charm the audience with speeches, cultural wear and dance routines in their bid to become the next Princess. The captivating Carnival Queen contestants wear breathtaking costumes, perform during the talent portion of the competition and give inspiring speeches. Attend the pageants to join in an unforgettable tradition — the crowning of the contestants who best represent island culture. The selection of carnival royalty, who act as ambassadors during carnival events, sets the tone for the season.
Carnival BOAT RACEs
Head for the shoreline along historic Charlotte Amalie Harbor to watch sleek, high-speed powerboats slice through the water as the captains throttle their engines in a race to snag top prizes. This fast-paced event is part of the island’s maritime tradition and a much-anticipated watch party for spectators.
PAN-O-RAMA
An explosion of thundering percussion is the hallmark of the Pan-O-Rama competition, featuring steel pan bands from throughout the USVI. Groove to the beats during this high-energy event held in the Carnival Village. Musicians of all ages vie for prizes while demonstrating their superb skills on tenor, bass, cello and other types of steel pans. Expect nonstop music, performances by traditional dance troupes and plenty of good times. You won’t be able to resist dancing along.
ST. THOMAS CARNIVAL VILLAGE
The bustling Carnival Village in St. Thomas is the center of activity. During Village Nights, evenings are filled with joyful music, spirited dancing and island flavors. The Village comes alive with a stellar lineup of free performances from top Caribbean artists playing reggae, soca, quelbe, Latin fusion and calypso music. Wander through aisles of brightly colored booths and sample locally made specialties like fried fish, kallaloo stew and coconut tarts. Or browse artisan crafts, including clothes stitched with vivid patterns of madras fabric, bird feeders made from coconut shells, handcrafted dolls, jewelry and art. The adjacent Kidsville offers carnival rides and games.
FOOD FAIR
Taste the best of St. Thomas specialties in the Carnival Village at the Food Fair, a feast for the senses showcasing Caribbean cuisine. Smell the tantalizing aromas of freshly grilled seafood, stews, savory pates and johnny cakes. Save room for sweet treats made with tamarind, mango and passion fruit. Locals and visitors alike gather here to sample traditional dishes while listening to live music.
J’OUVERT
Wake up before dawn for J’ouvert, when soca and reggae music blares from bands perched on traveling trucks. The celebration marks a day of rebirth as part of the St. Thomas Carnival. Vibrant festivities feature revelers dancing through the streets as they are splashed with water, paint or mud along the route to the waterfront. Join in and continue celebrating throughout the day, attending after-parties called fetes. Although it starts early, you can join J’ouvert at any time during the day to partake in this joyous celebration of life and freedom.
CHILDREN’S AND ADULT PARADES
Watch as the island’s youngest residents proudly march in the Children’s Parade. Then, gear up the next day to follow the rollicking Adult Parade, the carnival’s biggest event, as the two-mile route winds through Charlotte Amalie along Main Street to Lionel Roberts Stadium. Both parades draw huge crowds, with masqueraders in elaborate costumes performing choreographed dances against a backdrop of fanciful floats and the rhythms of soca, reggae and calypso music.
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