Virgin Islands Carnival
In the U.S. Virgin Islands, it’s easy to find enjoyable things to do. There’s music, great restaurants, wonderful beaches, national parks, wildlife, fishing – the list goes on and on. But when you plan to spend some time in this Caribbean paradise don’t leave Carnival of your “must do” list.
Carnival in the Virgin Islands means Calypso music, traditional foods, parades, costumes and fireworks, all built on a cultural foundation unlike any other. Ask anyone who has been there and you will learn that this is, without doubt, the most highly anticipated event in the islands. A rich African heritage is displayed in crafts, costumes and dancing, as are the European connections that live on in St. Thomas, St. John and St. Croix.
Variety is definitely the spice of U.S. Virgin Islands life. Carnival provides strong evidence of this variety, with St. Thomas Carnival events happening in April and May, St. John events and activities in June and July and St. Croix events in December and January. (Check with a travel agent or a local official for details on these distinct celebrations.
St. Thomas has been the scene of Carnival celebrations, displays and other activities on an irregular basis for a century. Only in the 1950s did it become an annual event. The combination of Calypso shows, pageants, music, parades and so on make the St. Thomas Carnival one of the largest in the Caribbean.
The less-populated island of St. John has its own version of Carnival, rich in the cultural traditions of the islands and offering a long list of activities for visitors and residents of all ages. The timing of the St. John events coincides with the finale – a 4th of July parade. Many celebrants travel between islands with the regular ferry service so that they can attend specific events. For Carnival attendees on St. John, Cruz Bay is probably “the place to be.”
On the island of St. Croix, Carnival has a slightly different flavor, with the two larger towns of Frederiksted and Christiansted hosting the bulk of the activities. There is Calypso, parades, a dizzying array of foods and even horse races. Visitors may want to stay around for the parade that caps off Carnival on Three Kings Day.
Whether you decide to stay in one place and focus on activities within walking distance or combine your celebration with travel to other islands, you won’t be disappointed by the fascinating and enjoyable events of Virgin Islands Carnival.