Antigua Carnival 2023

St John's, Antigua

Antigua Carnival 2023: The Greatest Summer Festival In The Caribbean

History. Culture. Pulsating marching bands. Wet and wild fun. Lots of dancing. These are just some of the things you can expect from the famous Antigua Carnival in the Caribbean which has become a major tourist draw for this charming island in the West Indies. Its roots date back to August 1, 1834 when slavery was finally abolished in the country. Dancing in the streets became a yearly tradition and means of celebrating freedom, then in 1957 the first official Antigua Carnival was held.

The almost two-week long festival only continues to grow bigger and better each year, but it’s still retained its iconic elements: epic parades and revelry day and night, street parties, tangible excitement, and water being sprayed on everyone. This means you might not want to come in your best outfit because you should be prepared to get soaked in fun, Antigua Carnival style. Come in comfortable shoes because we aren’t joking when we say that the dancing goes on until the small hours of the morning!

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Make sure to spend some time Mas Camp, an area where the locals are hard at work making their colorful costumes. It is also here where the parade starts marching on the first Saturday of the festival. Other highlights include beauty pageants, steel bands, children’s activities, local concerts, cultural shows, and many other small festivities. You might not want to wait until the festival officially begins – for a truly immersive experience, check out the many other exciting events leading up to the events such as the Pre-Carnival Fetes.

The Antigua Carnival is an unforgettable spectacle of fun, excitement, and color, while celebrating emancipation in the most fantastical way.

This is the one time of the year when the locals go ALL OUT – and you should, too!

Where to view the Antigua Carnival

The Antigua Carnival is held in the streets surrounding St. John’s, as well as the Carnival City located in the Antigua Recreation Ground.

Beside the Carnival City, you’ll find a charming little festival village with lots of pop-up vendors selling authentic local barbecued chicken, grilled seafood, burgers, local libations, and much more. 

How to get around Antigua

If you’re visiting Antigua for several weeks, renting a car will save you a significant amount of cash. Just keep in mind that with many bump roads, it can be challenging to navigate the island.

You may also want to consider hiring a taxi service; the friendly drivers are more than happy to accommodate you as a tour guide as well with the hopes of a bigger tip. But to be safe, agree on a price quote before you commit to a driver.

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Where to stay in Antigua

Antigua accommodations run the gamut: from shared rooms in hostels to luxury villas with a breathtaking view of the Caribbean, there’s something here for every budget.

But with thousands of tourists flocking the country for the Antigua Carnival, it’s highly recommended to book as far in advance as you can to reserve a room from the map below.

Things to do in Antigua

If you love beaches, you’ll love Antigua: it’s got over 300 beaches to choose from! But you won’t get to see all of them in such a short amount of time. Soak up the sun in the best ones, instead: Green Island, Dickenson Bay, Carlisle Bay,  Hawksbill, Deep Bay, and Half Moon Bay.

Whether you’re into water sports, snorkeling, or good old lounging by the beach, you’ll have ample opportunity to enjoy all that and more in Antigua’s stunning beaches. And when the sun goes down, the music goes up:

Antigua offers a plethora of nightlife and partying to indulge in, long after the carnival has culminated.

Antigua Carnival 2023 Dates

Next years carnival will be taking place on August 1-8, 2023.