Antigua and Barbuda: Carnival Monday and Tuesday
Antigua and Barbuda is a Caribbean nation that has a vibrant and colourful culture, history, and nature. Antigua and Barbuda is also a nation that loves to celebrate and have fun, with many festivals and events that take place throughout the year. One of the most popular and spectacular events is the Carnival, which is held every year from the end of July to the first Tuesday in August. The Carnival is a celebration of the emancipation from slavery and the culture of Antigua and Barbuda, featuring music, dance, costumes, beauty pageants, and parades.
What is Carnival Monday and Tuesday?
Carnival Monday and Tuesday are the climax of the Carnival season, when the streets of St. John’s, the capital and largest city of Antigua and Barbuda, are filled with thousands of revelers who join the Parade of Bands. The Parade of Bands is a procession of masqueraders who wear elaborate and colorful costumes that represent different themes, such as historical, cultural, or fantasy. The masqueraders dance and sing along to the rhythms of calypso, soca, steel pan, and zouk music, performed by live bands or DJs. The Parade of Bands is a competition among different groups or troupes who are judged by their creativity, originality, and presentation.
Carnival Monday and Tuesday are also days of entertainment and fun for all ages and tastes, who can enjoy various shows and attractions that take place in the Carnival City, a venue that hosts the major events of the Carnival. Some of these events are:
- The Party Monarch: A competition of soca artists who perform upbeat and energetic songs that make the crowd dance and party.
- The Calypso Monarch: A competition of calypso artists who perform witty and satirical songs that comment on social and political issues.
- The Panorama: A competition of steel bands who perform intricate and harmonious arrangements of calypso or soca songs.
- The Queen of Carnival: A beauty pageant that crowns the most beautiful and talented woman among the contestants who represent different troupes or regions.
- The Caribbean Queen Show: A beauty pageant that crowns the most beautiful and talented woman among the contestants who represent different Caribbean countries.
Carnival Monday and Tuesday are days of joy and gratitude, where Antiguans and Barbudans express their love and pride for their country and their culture. Carnival Monday and Tuesday are also days of hospitality and generosity, where Antiguans and Barbudans welcome and share their festivities with visitors from around the world.
Hotels nearby:
If you are looking for a place to stay during the Carnival, you will have plenty of options to choose from. Antigua and Barbuda has many hotels that cater to different budgets and preferences, ranging from luxury resorts to budget-friendly hostels. Some of the hotels that are close to the Carnival venue are:
- Sandals Grande Antigua Resort & Spa: A five-star resort that offers spacious rooms, suites, villas, and cottages with free Wi-Fi, air conditioning, minibars, coffee makers, flat-screen TVs, and balconies or patios. The resort also has a private beach, a pool, a spa, a fitness center, a golf course, a tennis court, a business center, and several restaurants and bars. The resort is located about 20 minutes by car from the Carnival venue.
- Trade Winds Hotel: A four-star hotel that offers cozy rooms with free Wi-Fi, air conditioning, refrigerators, safes, and flat-screen TVs. The hotel also has a pool, a restaurant, a bar, a terrace, a business centre, and free parking. The hotel is located about 15 minutes by car from the Carnival venue.
- Heritage Hotel: A three-star hotel that offers comfortable rooms with free Wi-Fi, air conditioning, desks, wardrobes, and flat-screen TVs. The hotel also has a restaurant, a bar, a lounge, a conference room, and free parking. The hotel is located about 10 minutes by foot from the Carnival venue.
If you want to make the most of your trip to Antigua and Barbuda, you may want to consider renting a car while attending the event. Renting a car will give you the freedom and flexibility to explore the island and its surroundings at your own pace and convenience. You will be able to visit the many attractions and landmarks that Antigua and Barbuda has to offer, such as:
- Nelson’s Dockyard: A historical site that was once the base of Admiral Horatio Nelson and his fleet in the 18th century. Nelson’s Dockyard is now a national park that features the restored buildings, museums, shops, and restaurants.
- Shirley Heights: A lookout point that offers a stunning view of the English Harbour and the surrounding islands. Shirley Heights is also a popular spot for watching the sunset and enjoying the live music and barbecue.
- Devil’s Bridge: A natural rock formation that was created by the erosion of the limestone by the waves. Devil’s Bridge is also a place of legend and folklore, as it is said to be haunted by the spirits of the slaves who jumped into the water to escape their misery.
Renting a car will also allow you to travel to other nearby destinations that are worth visiting, such as:
- Barbuda: A sister island that is known for its pristine beaches, wildlife, and coral reefs. Barbuda is also home to the Caribana, a carnival that is held in June.
- Montserrat: A neighbouring island that is known for its volcanic activity, which destroyed the capital city of Plymouth in 1997. Montserrat is also known for its Irish heritage, which is celebrated in March.
- Guadeloupe: A French overseas territory that is known for its culture, cuisine, and nature. Guadeloupe is also known for its carnival, which is held in February.
