Its Carnival!

As the rest of the world is closing out the holiday season, the people of St. Kitts and Nevis are just getting started. The period from mid-December through New Year’s is known as Carnival on our island. It’s a cultural celebration involving folklore, song and dance. The festival includes street parades, jamming, calypso and queen shows allowing people to express themselves creatively and artistically to break free and rid themselves momentarily of the every day pressures.

Carnival has it’s roots in ancient festivals honoring the beginning of the new year and the rebirth of nature. The National Carnival in St. Kitts/Nevis began in 1957 when community organizer Basil Henderson proposed the idea of a national celebration to brighten the Christmas season and boost the local economy. The first Carnival was a massive success and, subsequentially, became an annual event.

Carnival events include In The Spirit of Christmas, Soca Monarch, Miss Teen St. Kitts Nevis, Miss St. Kitts Nevis Queen Pageant, Senior Calypso Monarch, Panorama – Steel Band Competition, J’Ouvert, and the Grand Carnival Parade.