Fun and festivities in Antigua - celebrations, festivals and cultural events

Antigua and Barbuda is a tropical island country with a rich history. This affects the way of life, traditions, and holidays. The New Year is celebrated on January 1. The regatta is held in honor of this event. It is dedicated to Admiral Nelson. The party is held at the Nelson's Dockyard at the end of the race. New Year is celebrated with parties and barbecues on the beach. Restaurants and clubs hold holiday parties. A festive procession with dancers, live music, and acrobats passes through the streets. Another regatta is held on the third weekend of January. It runs around the island of Antigua. Vessels of all shapes and sizes can take part in it. Everything ends with one of the stages of the Miss Antigua contest.

The one-day Vadaldi Festival takes place on February 27. This is a festival of local culture. The craft fair is held during the festival. Everyone eats, drinks, and has fun. The action takes place in the Botanical garden, where you can hide from the scorching sun under the shade of trees. Triathlon competitions are also held in February. Professional athletes, including Olympians, take part in them.

Holy Week is celebrated in a peculiar way on the Islands in March and April. The Kite Festival takes place here at this time. The festival includes competitions on the beach and indoors, barbecues, and swimming competitions with a mask (snorkeling). It is especially popular among families with children. Easter is an official holiday. All establishments are closed on this day. The annual seafood festival takes place in April. The festival was founded in honor of local sailors and fishermen. But it turned into a grand celebration a long time ago. Fishing competitions for children, mango eating competitions, swims along Carlisle beach, and musical performances are held during the festival. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

The last week of April is the yacht week. The regatta was held in 1967 first. Only 10 vessels took part in it then. Their number is more than 2000 today. This is one of the most prestigious regattas in the world. A special regatta is held for ocean-going vessels. Concerts, parties, and performances are held during this time. Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta also takes place in April. Only classic wooden yachts or vessels take part in it. This is not such a popular regatta as yacht week. However, this is a very bright show. It takes place in English Harbour for three days.

A race called "Run in Paradise" is held in May. Distances: half marathon, 10 kilometers, and 5 kilometers. Competitions are held on the famous Fort James Beach.

The Antigua Carnival takes place in late July and August. It is dedicated to the day of the abolition of slavery on the Islands in 1834. Grand processions in carnival costumes, parades, and parties with music in the style of Calypso (Afro-Caribbean musical style) are held throughout the country for 10 days. The final of the Miss Antigua pageant is held at this time. The streets are filled with people singing and dancing. The annual Mango and Pineapple Festival is also held in August. Festival guests learn all about these two fruits, as well as the many ways to prepare and eat them. The best chefs in the country compete in the preparation of intricate dishes and desserts. Fruits from the Christian Valley and the famous black pineapples from Cades Bay are used during the festival. You can visit the competition or watch it on TV. Bartenders prepare delicious and unusual fruit-based cocktails.

The four-day Cricket Festival takes place in November. This game is a legacy of the British Raj. Participants play during the day. They host parties, barbecues, and listen to live music in the evening. Independence Day from Great Britain is celebrated luxuriously on November 1. Fairs, parades, processions, sporting events, dance performances, and exhibitions are held during this time. The holiday combines a historical event and national traditions and culture. The largest food fair in the country is held on this day. Many sellers take part in it. Various dishes are also prepared here because many food fans spend the whole day at the fair. All government buildings and schools are decorated with red and yellow decorations two weeks before the event. The day of the national costume created by Heather Doram is held the day before. Competitions for the best outfit among women, men, boys, and girls are held on this day. A competition for the most original design is also held. The Best in the West Sports Fishing is held at the end of November. Men, women, and even children take part in them.

The country celebrates Christmas on December 25. The greatest celebration takes place at Nelson's Dockyard. Residents drink champagne and listen to live Calypso music. Various charity events are often held on this day.