Antigua Carnival

Antigua Carnival
Antigua Carnival logo
Observed by	Antigua (Antigua and Barbuda)
Type	Cultural
Significance	celebration of emancipation
Celebrations	processions, music, dancing, and the use of masquerade
Date	late July through early August
2023 date	27 July - 8 August
Frequency	Annual
First time	1957
Related to	Caribbean Carnival, Carnival, Christmas, Emancipation, Calypso, Soca, Pan music, Zouk

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The Antiguan Carnival is a celebration of emancipation from slavery, held annually on the island of Antigua. It is a thirteen-day festival of colorful costumes, beauty pageants, talent shows, and music.^[1][2][3] The festival begins in late July and ends the first Tuesday in August, known as Carnival Tuesday.^[1][2] Both Carnival Monday and Carnival Tuesday are public holidays on the island.^[1] Antiguan Carnival replaced the Old Time Christmas Festival in 1957,^[2][3] with hopes of inspiring tourism in Antigua and Barbuda.^[1] Some elements of the Old Time Christmas Festival remain in the modern Carnival celebrations.

One of the biggest events of Antiguan Carnival is that of the j'ouvert (or juvé), in which brass and steel bands perform for much of the island's population, starting early in the morning.^[1][2] Other major events of Antiguan Carnival include the Party Monarch and Calypso Monarch competitions of Calypsonians, the Panorama steel band competition, the Parade of Bands, the Miss Antigua Pageant, and the Caribbean Queen's Competition.^[2][4][5] The festival also includes numerous smaller festivities, such as local concerts, food fairs, parades, and cultural shows.^[2]