ST KITTS CARNIVAL 2023: Latest and Upcoming News, Tips, and Updates

The St. Kitts Carnival 2023 is an annual festival on the iconic island of St. Kitts. With a vibrant culture, this Caribbean gem is home to many unique festivals and celebrations worth exploring if you visit the island. The St. Kitts Carnival was first held in 1960 and has since become one of the most anticipated annual events on the tiny island. The Carnival, which can be roughly translated as ‘Festival,’ is a 12-day celebration with three distinct periods:

The Long Weekend (4–11 March), the Weeklong Weekender (18-25 March), and the Grand Weekender (1–8 April). The celebration culminates with a Marley Festival at Heritage Beach in Basseterre on 10 April, where locals listen to iconic reggae artist Bob Marley play his songs live for over two hours – accompanied by dancers dressed in colorful costumes, masks, and jewelry.

What is St. Kitts’s Carnival?

The St. Kitts’s Carnival is an annual festival on the iconic island of St. Kitts. With a vibrant culture, this Caribbean gem is home to many unique festivals and celebrations worth exploring if you visit the island. The St. Kitts Carnival was first held in 1960 and has since become one of the most anticipated annual events on the tiny island.

The Carnival, which can be roughly translated as ‘Festival,’ is a 12-day celebration with three distinct periods: The Long Weekend (4–11 March), the Weeklong Weekender (18-25 March), and the Grand Weekender (1–8 April). The celebration culminates with a Marley Festival at Heritage Beach in Basseterre on 10 April where locals listen to iconic reggae artist Bob Marley play his songs live for over two hours – accompanied by dancers dressed in colorful costumes, masks, and jewelry.

• Kitts Carnival Timeline

This timeline of St. Kitts’s Carnival highlights the most important dates you need to know about before visiting the Caribbean island. The Long Weekend – 4-11 March: St. Kitts’s Long Weekend is the Carnival’s first and most important period. It is a 12-day celebration with three distinct periods: The Long Weekend (4–11 March), the Weeklong Weekender (18-25 March), and the Grand Weekender (1–8 April). During the Long Weekend, locals enjoy many events and festivities like street parades, live music, carnival balls, and street food. The Weeklong Weekender – 18-25 March: During the Weeklong Weekender, locals enjoy a variety of celebrations like the Festival of the Baskets, the St. Kitts’s Carnival Queen Pageant, the Carnival Ball, and the King and Queen Carnival Pageant. For many St. Kittsians, the Weeklong Weekender is an opportunity to let their hair down and relax while enjoying the best of Caribbean culture. The Grand Weekender – 1-8 April: The Grand Weekender is the final celebration of the Carnival and concludes with the Marley Festival at Heritage Beach in Basseterre. Many tourists visit the island during this period to enjoy the celebrations with locals.

Popular Events in St. Kitts’s Carnival

– Carnival Balls: These are lavish balls held during the Weeklong Weekender at several resorts on the island. The balls are a chance for locals and tourists to socialize and meet new people. – Carnival Band: The Carnival’s Carnival Band is a musical group that plays at various venues, including the Carnival Ball at the Westin Resort, Coral Island. – King and Queen Carnival Pageant: The island’s Carnival Queen and King are crowned during this pageant.

King and Queen are the most prominent and revered people on the island. – The Basket Festival: The Festival of the Baskets is a local festival held at the Albergue St. Kitts in Savanne, Nevis. It includes a festival of basket-making, music, and cultural exhibitions. – Heritage Beach Marley Festival: The Marley Festival is named after the late reggae artist Bob Marley. It is held at Heritage Beach in Basseterre and is a must-see event for many tourists.

Upcoming Events in St. Kitts’s Carnival

– The St. Kitts Carnival Queen Pageant: The Carnival Queen Pageant is held during the Weeklong Weekender and is an important event in the Caribbean island’s Carnival. The winner of the pageant is crowned the Carnival Queen. – The St. Kitts Carnival King Pageant: The Carnival King Pageant is also held during the Weeklong Weekender and is another important event in the island’s Carnival. The winner of the pageant is crowned the Carnival King. – The St. Kitts’s Marley Festival is the biggest event in the island’s Carnival and is held at Heritage Beach in Basseterre. The Marley Festival is named after the late reggae artist Bob Marley.

Important Note for Travellers Before visiting St. Kitts, Caribbean

The best time to visit St. Kitts 2023 is during the low season, from November to May. During this time, the island is less busy, the weather is more stable, and the prices are lower. Another important thing to also remember is that St. Kitts is a developing island, and the infrastructure is limited. So if you’re planning on visiting during the Carnival or the Grand Weekender, you’ll need to keep this in mind. Also, public beaches are few and far between, and you’ll need to bring sunscreen and water to avoid any possible problems. Also, it’s worth noting that crime in St. Kitts is not a major problem, but you should still keep your eyes and your wallet open.