Antigua Minister Opens 2026 Carnival Celebrations

Minister of Sports and Creative Industries Dwayne George officially declared the Antigua Carnival 2026 open on Saturday, signalling the start of the island's annual festival. The opening ceremony took place on Parliament Drive, followed by a T‑Shirt Mas parade that routed through major streets including Old Parham Road, Simon Bolivar Drive, and Queen Elizabeth Highway.

The carnival programme runs through August 4 and features events such as Junior Carnival (July 26), Rhythm Court Vibe (July 27), a Patrice Roberts concert (July 28), Caribbean Melting Pot (July 30), the Cavalier Rum Calypso Monarch competition (July 31), Panorama (August 1), J’Ouvert and Monday Mas (August 3), and the Parade of the Bands and Last Lap (August 4). The 2026 celebration is held under the theme “Feel the Rhythm.”