Antigua Barbuda’s Carnival 2025 has officially launched under the theme “It’s a Vibe,” promising an exhilarating lineup of events that blend tradition, music, and modern revelry. The announcement came during a grand launch event featuring vibrant performances, steelpan music, and a spectacle of fireworks, setting the tone for what is expected to be the Caribbean’s Greatest Summer Festival.
The festival, now in its 68th year, will run from July 25 to August 5, 2025, with an expanded schedule that includes traditional pageantry, high-energy parties, and cultural showcases.
Carnival Events and Highlights
The official schedule, released by the Antigua and Barbuda Festivals Commission, features crowd favorites such as:
- Calypso and Soca Monarch Competitions
- Panorama at Carnival City
- Burning Flames’ 40th Anniversary Celebration
- J’ouvert and the Monday Mas Parade through the streets of St. John’s
- The highly anticipated Parade of the Bands and Last Lap
In addition to these signature events, the festival will pay tribute to Hell’s Gate Steel Orchestra’s 80th anniversary, Burning Flames’ four decades in music, and Claudette ‘CP’ Peters’ 25 years in the industry.
Minister’s Message: “Carnival Belongs to the People”
During the launch, the Minister of Creative Industries and Innovation emphasized that Carnival is not an event owned by the government but a cultural legacy shaped by the people.
“Carnival requires all of you to be the great event that it has been and that it will continue to be. When we see our artists, bands, and performers give their all, it’s because they love Carnival and what it represents for Antigua and Barbuda.”
The minister also highlighted the return of separate Jumpy and Groovy Soca Monarch competitions and a new venue for Calypso tents, aimed at enhancing the experience for both artists and audiences.
Reflecting on last year’s success, the minister noted increased tourist arrivals, greater participation from local bands, and a surge in young artists breaking onto the scene. The 2025 edition seeks to build on this momentum with enhanced regional marketing and a diverse lineup of events to attract revelers from across the Caribbean and beyond.
With music, mas, and revelry at its core, Antigua Carnival 2025 is shaping up to be a spectacle of culture, heritage, and high-energy celebration. The countdown has officially begun, and as the minister declared to the roaring crowd, “It’s a vibe!”