Antigua Carnival 2026 kicks off July 25 with month‑long celebrations

Antigua and Barbuda’s annual Carnival will run from July 25 to August 4, 2026 under the theme “Feel the Rhythm.” Festival Commission Chair Ambassador Elizabeth Makhoul said the event invites the world to experience the Caribbean’s greatest summer festival, while Tourism Authority CMO Charmaine Spencer highlighted the blend of music, cuisine and beach attractions for visitors.

The programme includes an opening parade, T‑Shirt Mas, Junior Carnival, Rhythm Court, a Face Off competition between Antigua’s Burning Flames band and Dominica’s Triple K International, and headline performances by regional soca stars such as Patrice Roberts, Machel Monzano and others. Competitions for Calypso and Party Monarch titles, Panorama steel‑pan displays and nightly fetes round out eleven days of nonstop music, masquerade and cultural celebration.