Explore our
Carnivals & Festivals

Event with Stilts walker

Each of our island carnivals is one heck of a party.

Marvel at costumes that are heavy enough to be supported by wheels and soar as tall as a house. Watch moko jumbie dancers whose stilts are taller still. See parades of people dancing for hours, transported by calypso and soca music blasted from colorful floats by local bands. And catch the competitions for Calypso King and other carnival royalty. It’s all launched by J’Ouvert, a wild sunrise street dance. You’ll discover that our various carnivals celebrate everything from freedom to the joy of Christmas and hope for the coming new year.

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Carnivals & Festivals

St. Thomas Carnival

From April 23 - 30 enjoy a celebration that includes a waterfront J’Ouvert street dance around bands on trucks, huge children’s and adults’ parades with elaborate costumes, a food fair, and a carnival village that holds calypso and reggae nights while serving food and drink nonstop.

St. Thomas Carnival

Crucian Christmas Festival

This celebration has roots in the days when slaves joined in Christmas celebrations, as well as Puerto Rico’s celebration of Three Kings Day. From late December through early January in Frederiksted, enjoy J’Ouvert, a parade, food and music.

Crucian Christmas

St. John Carnival

Smaller and more intimate than other carnivals, this event marks the end of slavery on the islands on July 3, 1848, as well as the founding of the United States on July 4, 1776. Its parade is just as fun, albeit smaller than others. And the lines for food and drinks are shorter!

St John Jouvert

St. Croix Jump Ups

During these mini carnivals held in Christiansted four times a year, the streets are closed to vehicles and filled with people, a variety of vendors and music. The biggest Jump Up is held annually on Valentine’s Day.

St. Croix Carnival

Mango Melee

This early-July celebration of the marvelous mango is held annually at St. George Village Botanical Garden. It features chefs and mixologists using the golden-fleshed tropical fruit in every way imaginable, plus a mango-eating contest and music by top local bands.

Man Mixing Drinks

St. Patrick’s Day Parade

It might seem odd to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day on this island in the Caribbean, but it’s a parade and party that has been held annually in Christiansted for more than 50 years. Come join the fun, Irish or not.

St. Croix  Fete Vibes

U.S. Virgin Islands Caribbean Music Festival

Background: The U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism presents the U.S. Virgin Islands Caribbean Music Festival curated by the United Jazz Foundation in partnership with Jazz at Lincoln Center.

Dates: Fri, Feb 17, Sat. Mar 25, and Sat. May 27

Location: Fort Frederik in Frederiksted, St. Croix

Admission: Free

Additional information: https://www.caribbeanmusicheritage.org/

Caribbean Music Festival

Prince & Princess Show

 St. Thomas Carnival

Date: April 8, 2023
UVI Sports & Fitness Center @ 5pm

Queen Show

St. Thomas Carnival

UVI Sports & Fitness Center @ 8pm
Date: April 15, 2023

Calypso Monarch

St. Thomas Carnival

Crown Bay @ 8pm
Date: April 22, 2023

Boat & Car Show/Pan Fest

St. Thomas Carnival

Waterfront @ 11am
Date: April 23, 2023

Opening of Kelly "Pupa Kelly" Charleswell Musical Arena

St. Thomas Carnival

Carnival Village @ 6pm 
Dates April 24 - 29, 2023

Steel Pan & Teen Tramp

St. Thomas Carnival

Main Street to Village @ 6pm
Date: April 25, 2023
 

Food Fair & Quelbe Tramp

St. Thomas Carnival

Emancipation Garden @ 10am & Main Street @ 6pm
Date: April 26, 2023

J’ouvert Mawnin

St. Thomas Carnival

Waterfront @ 6am
Date: April 27, 2023

Children's Parade

St. Thomas Carnival 

Emancipation Garden @ 11am & TBD
Date: April 28, 2023

Adults Parade & Fireworks

St. Thomas Carnival

Main Street @ 10am
Fireworks @ 9pm
Date: April 29, 2023

Panorama

St. Thomas Carnival

Village @4pm
April 30, 2023

Rocking Steady Reggae Concert

Tarrus Tiley & Blak Soil Band
Duane Stephenson
Pressure Busspipe featuring Dub Lab
DJ Avalanche
VI Dream Team
Jah Seed
DJ Pete

Crown Bay Center, Saturday March 25

Rocking Steady Festival

USVI Caribbean Music Festival

VI Jazz Collective / Dion Parson
Chucho Valdes
Terence Blanchard
Joe Lovano
The New Orleans Jazz Orchestra / Gabriela Cavassa 
Frederiksted Promenade, Saturday March 25

usvi caribbean music fest

Carnival Village Reggae Night

Shenseea

DeZarie

King Lion

Romain Virgo

Carnival Village, Friday April 28

Carnival Village Reggae Night

Carnival Village Rep VI Flag

Adam O

Pumpa & The Unit

Bugz & Blind Ears

Mone'a

Mic Love

Karnage

 

Carnival Village, Thursday April 27th

 

Carnival Village Rep VI Flag
Know Before You Go
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No passport required for US citizens
Travel
Transportation

As a United States Territory, travel to the U.S. Virgin Islands does not require a passport for U.S. citizens arriving from Puerto Rico or the U.S. mainland. 

Health
Hospitals

Good hospitals with well-trained doctors and medical professionals are available on St. Croix and St. Thomas.

Sunscreen
MINERAL ONLY

Please use only mineral sunscreen. It's the law in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Weather
When to Visit

The U.S. Virgin Islands is a year-round destination; however, you may find the best bargains on hotels and attractions during the summer months.

Cruise Ships

St Thomas is the most popular cruise ship destination in the Caribbean, with more than 500 arrivals each year. These ships pull in to the West Indian Company dock in Havensight on the eastern edge of St Thomas Harbour, and to Crown Bay Marina to the West.

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No passport required for US citizens