Enjoy the Festivities in Antigua
2020 Antigua & Barbuda Carnival, Festival & Events Calendar:
The annual One Nation Concert will be held on January 11 at the Antigua Recreation Grounds. The concert embodies One Concert, One Goal, One People! – Showcasing the best in local, regional and international music.
Sir Andy Roberts Community Spirit Day is held January 26 at Bolan Playing Field. Entertainment includes: The Rift, Fab 5 Band, 17 61 Degrees Band, MnM Music Family and MAD-T-GUANS.
The annual Antigua & Barbuda International Kite Festival will be held on April 13 at Devil’s Bridge National Park. Watch hundreds of kites flying and dancing in the wind along Antigua’s rocky east coast.
The annual Gwadadli Festival will be held April 26 through May 1 and focuses on the cultural bridge with Guadeloupe. The festival includes the exchange and exhibition of culture and talent from both countries in areas of music, culinary, visual arts and dance.
Antigua and Barbuda Restaurant Week will be held from May 11 to May 24 showcasing the islands’ wide array of culinary delights at participating restaurants.
Barbuda’s Caribana Celebrations takes place from May 29 to June 1 and includes the Caribana queen show, calypso competition, dancing in the streets as well as the Leewards islands Classic Horse Race, the car & bike show, a beach bash and a food fair.
Antigua Carnival, “the Caribbean’s Greatest Summer Festival”, includes costumed parades and music including steelbands and calypso, as well as food fairs and of course, partying throughout… The festivities will take place from July 23 through August 4 – Highlights include:
- July 23: Opening Parade
- July 24: Carnival Queen
- July 26: Jr Carnival; Jr Calypso
- July 27: Tease – Day Fete; Mr & Miss Teenage Pageant
- July 31: Calypso Monarch
- August 1: Emancipation Day
- August 2: Party Monarch Competition
- August 3: J’ouvert; Carnival Monday
- August 4: Parade of the Bands; Last Lap
The Antigua and Barbuda Pineapple Mango Festival (Piango Fest) will be held on July 31 at Cades Bay Pineapple Farm. Pineapple and mango based products will be available! There will also be live entertainment and fun rides for young children.
Antigua and Barbuda’s 39th Anniversary of Independence will be celebrated on the week of October 25 with parades, expos and more. The Ceremonial Parade will be on November 2 followed by a local food fair, the islands’ largest.
The Gemonite’s Mood of Pan Festival takes place on November 30 with the steelpans providing Caribbean beats.
The Antigua Charter Yacht Show takes place from December 4 to 9 at Nelson’s Dockyard Marina and the Falmouth Harbour Marina and Antigua Yacht Club Marina (also located in Falmouth Harbour).
The annual Nelson’s Dockyard Christmas Day Champagne Party, recently named by the New York Times as “one of the 5 best Christmas events in the world, takes place on December 25.
As could be expected from the sailing capital of the Caribbean, Antigua hosts a number of Sailing Regattas and events, along with other sporting events:
The annual Talisker Whiskey Atlantic Challenge rowing competition commenced on December 14 in the Canary Islands with as many as 30 teams. They’re expected to start arriving in Antigua’s Nelson Dockyard in January.
The Antigua Yacht Club ‘Round Island’ Race will be held on January 18 at Falmouth Harbour. The circumnavigation of the island covers > 50 nautical miles.
The Hike/Bike Barbuda is held January 26 at the Barbuda Sports Complex
The Antigua 360 Race will be held on February 21 The anticlockwise circumnavigation of Antigua entry is reserved for boats entered in the RORC Caribbean 600 offshore classic (see below)
The Royal Oceanic Race Club (RORC) Caribbean 600 Race will be held February 24 and covers 600 nautical mile race around 11 Caribbean islands.
The annual AUA Tinman Rohr Triathlon will be held on March 7. Past Olympians have joined competitors of all levels in a friendly atmosphere to participate in the inspirational challenge, which has become one of the top triathlons in the Caribbean.
The Jumby Bay Fund Rohrman Barbuda will be held on Saturday March 8 at Freyes Beach. It features several fun swimming and running events as well as other activities such as tug of war.
The Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta will be held April 1 to 7 at English Harbour. This international regatta is expected to attract dozens of yachts from around the world.
Antigua Sailing Week starts April 26 at English Harbour attracting sailors from all over the world. It consists of six days of competitive sailing and outstanding spectator viewing (from Shirley Heights). Festivities include Dockyard Day, Reggae in the Park and the Lay Day Beach Party.
The Run in Paradise Half-Marathon, 10k and 5k run/walk will be held on May 24 at Historic Fort James Beach.
The 54th Annual Sports Fishing Tournament will be held May 30-31 at Nelson’s DockYard. The weekend event includes with live music, food and drinks and a variety of other activities for attendees to take part in. Visitors will also have the chance to purchase some of the freshest seafood around after the tournament with whole fish for sale by the committee from the fish stall.
The ABABW Federation Annual Bodybuilding Championships will be held on June 6 for men and women competitors.
The Antigua and Barbuda Kite Surf Week will be held between June 24 and 30. Freestyle riders from around the world will compete.
The Francis Nunes Jr. Memorial Fishing Tournament & Seafood Festival will be held on September 26 at Historic Nelson Dockyard. This is another popular fishing tournament and festival – Participate by fishing or purchasing the catch of the day or sampling seafood at vendors stalls.
The Jolly Harbour Yacht Club Annual Regatta takes place from November 16 to 18.
Also, check out other Things To Do in Antigua & Barbuda
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