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USVI’s TOP 2024 EVENTS

CELEBRATE EVERYTHING FROM CULTURE TO CUISINE

From food festivals that honor the islands’ rich bounty to colorful carnivals with a unique Caribbean beat and festive holiday celebrations, USVI has a packed, year-long calendar. Join the locals as they eat, drink and dance their way through 2024 at these thrilling events. All are welcome!

ST. CROIX

Mardi Croix
February 10, 2024
Celebrate an only-in-USVI version of Mardi Gras at Mardi Croix, a laid-back parade and party on the Cane Bay waterfront. Think swimsuits, DIY floats, live music and plenty of fruity drinks — all just steps from the beach. Stop at local vendor stands for delicious island fare and artisan crafts to take home. The theme for 2024 is Roaring 20s, and costumes are encouraged!

Jump Up
February 14, May 5, July 7 and November 29, 2024
The streets and pier of Christiansted become a whirlwind of food, music and dancing during the four annual Jump Up carnivals. Snack on a hot johnny cake and sip Cruzan Rum from a fresh coconut while you dance to steel pan drums. At night, the moko jumbies parade through the streets atop six-foot-tall stilts. 

Agrifest
February 17 – 19, 2024
Savor the bounty of St. Croix at Agrifest, a three-day agricultural and food fair at the Rudolph Schulterbrandt Agricultural Grounds. Browse the farmer’s market to meet growers and learn about their colorful produce. Shop art, clothing and jewelry, plus feast on local dishes. Kids can enjoy donkey cart rides, carnival attractions and a petting zoo at this celebration of local life.

St. Patrick’s Day Parade
March 17, 2024
Everyone is welcome at the annual Caribbean-Irish St. Patrick’s Day Parade and party in downtown Christiansted. Watch the parade go by with local musicians, dancers in elaborate costumes, colorful floats and towering moko jumbies. Catch beads, candies and toys thrown at the parade and soak up the energy of this eclectic event.

St. Croix International Regatta
April 12 – 14, 2024
The St. Croix International Regatta at the St. Croix Yacht Club showcases three days of skilled sailing across the turquoise waters of Teague Bay. Watch the sailboats navigate the chop and vie for top honors — like their skipper’s weight in rum. Each night, celebrate the winners with events like live Cruzan music, fire dancers and a Caribbean pig roast.

Sunset BBQ
April 6, 2024
Savor expertly slow-cooked meats paired with wine, cocktails and festive live music at the Sunset BBQ. This event is part of the St. Croix Food & Wine Experience, a series of foodie events that raise funds for the St. Croix Foundation for Community Development. The dinner combines stunning sunset views from the Frederiksted pier with a mouthwatering menu of BBQ made by expert local chefs.

Taste of St. Croix
April 20, 2024
Join top chefs, restaurants, farms and hordes of hungry guests for Taste of St. Croix, a food festival and competition at Divi Carina Bay Resort & Casino. You might find a fresh take on conch, local comfort food like pot fish and fungi, or something entirely new. Sample it all, then choose your favorite to win the People’s Choice award.

Mango Melee
July 9, 2024
The sweet mango takes center stage at St. George Village Botanical Garden’s annual Mango Melee and Tropical Fruit Festival. Try mango-based drinks, desserts, salsas and more at the Mango Dis, Mango Dat food competition. See how many tropical fruits you can identify, shop local craft vendors and enter the kids in the mango-eating contest.

Crucian Coconut Festival
December 2024
What evokes an image of the Caribbean more than the coconut? At the annual Crucian Coconut Festival, celebrate this versatile fruit during three days of fun at the Bethlehem Sugar Factory site. Sample creative fare at the Taste of Coconut food competition and shop handmade crafts from local vendors. Upbeat live music, carnival rides and a kids’ coconut scoop contest make this a one-of-a-kind experience.

St. Croix Christmas Boat Parade
December 2024
The holidays look a little different on the islands. At the St. Croix Christmas Boat Parade, proud boaters deck the sails with boughs of holly — plus twinkling lights, oversized inflatables and other merry decorations. Sing carols and watch the floating parade glide across Christiansted Harbor. It all ends with spectacular fireworks that will make your spirits bright.

Crucian Christmas Festival
December 2024 – January 2025
St. Croix’s annual carnival is the Crucian Christmas Festival, running from late December through early January. Attend daily celebrations in the Frederiksted Festival Village, from the Miss St. Croix Festival Queen Pageant to food fairs, performances by top musical acts, dance parties and a J’ouvert celebration. It all ends with a masquerade parade and spectacular fireworks display.

ST. JOHN

St. John Celebration
June 29 – July 4, 2024
St. John Celebration is the island’s annual carnival, commemorating Independence Day and the end of slavery on the islands. Snack on delicious food and festive drinks at the Carnival Village, complete with rides, games and a live performance stage. It all ends with the 4th of July Parade & Fireworks with steel pan bands, costumed dancers and feathers galore.

Coral Bay Thanksgiving Regatta
November 30, 2024
A diverse mix of sailboats race around Coral Harbor during the annual Coral Bay Thanksgiving Regatta, hosted by the Coral Bay Yacht Club and benefiting their youth sailing program. For the best views of the start and finish, snag a seat at the Salty Mongoose or Surf Club Cantina, two favorite waterfront bars. Hit the after-party at Skinny Legs Bar & Grill for the awards show and live music!

ST. THOMAS

St. Thomas International Regatta
March 29 – 31, 2024
Celebrate the 50th anniversary of the St. Thomas International Regatta, the “Crown Jewel of Caribbean Yacht Racing.” Skilled sailing teams compete in round-the-buoy and round-the-island courses in the pristine waters, welcoming both old salts and weekend warriors. Watch the races from St. Thomas Yacht Club with a soundtrack of live music and DJs, plus fabulous food and drinks.

St. Thomas Carnival
April 26 – May 5, 2024
The St. Thomas Carnival is an explosion of vibrant color, island music and joyful movement. Dance to calypso and soca bands at the Carnival Village, plus eat your way through the best local fare. At the waterfront J’ouvert, the streets become a raucous party led by truck-mounted bands and DJs. Costume parades, pageants and shimmering fireworks round out this cultural extravaganza.

Paradise Jam
November 2024
Basketball fans, clear your calendars for Paradise Jam. This men’s and women’s NCAA tournament takes place at the University of the Virgin Islands, in a state-of-the-art sports and fitness facility. Watch the teams compete for top honors across seven days of game play. Between games explore vibrant Charlotte Amalie, dotted with centuries-old buildings and charming boutiques.

USVI Charter Yacht Show
November 8 – 11, 2024
The luxury vessel industry puts their best fleet forward at the USVI Charter Yacht Show. This event welcomes charter yacht brokers and crews to mix and mingle on the docks of Yacht Haven Grande. Sip cocktails in the marina, watch the carnival parade, and attend seminars on seafaring topics ranging from coral to yachting history.

Check out even more USVI carnivals and festivals.