Antigua plays host to a full calendar of must-see events. Whether you’re looking for exhilarating sports or exciting festivals, there’s always something new to experience. Here are just a few of our favorite events:
Party Like A Local
ANTIGUA SAILING WEEK
Antigua Sailing Week welcomes participants from all corners of the globe each year to compete for the chance to win this prestigious regatta. Five challenging days of racing in some of the world’s best sailing conditions, combined with the famous Antiguan hospitality make this a regatta one of the premier sailing events in the world.
TURTLE-WATCHING SEASON
Watch up to 150 tiny sea turtles emerge out of the sand and clamber towards the sea. These beautiful creatures only come ashore during the nesting season. Journey by boat to a deserted beach for this awesome moonlight Antigua adventure.
ANTIGUA CARNIVAL CELEBRATIONS
The Antiguan Carnival is a celebration of music and dance held annually from the end of July to the first Tuesday in August. Come and experience this fantastic festival of fun and culture.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS 2016
Close
JANUARY
-
- 1
NEW YEAR’S DAY (PUBLIC HOLIDAY)
New Year’s Day is a Public Holiday in Antigua, and a great opportunity for you to picnic on one of our 365 beautiful beaches.
-
- 16
“ROUND THE ISLAND RACE”
The Antigua Yacht Club Round the Island Race is organized by the Antigua Yacht Club.
Close
FEBRUARY
-
- 12
- 15
JOLLY HARBOUR VALENTINE’S REGATTA
An amazing annual event with participants including seasoned sailors as well as beginners, enjoying the great sailing conditions around Jolly Harbour.
-
- 22
- 26
RORC CARIBBEAN 600 YACHT RACE
The event is organized by the Royal Ocean Racing Club in Antigua. The Regatta has now become a major international sailing festival, attracting sailors and others from around the world.
-
- 28
WINDIES LEGENDS CHARITY CRICKET CHALLENGE
An amazing charity match at the Falmouth Cricket Grounds.
-
- 2
- 5
Antigua Super Yacht Challenge 7th Edition
Yachts in excess of 80 feet are invited to participate in an exciting, friendly event – the Superyacht Challenge Antigua!
Close
MARCH
-
- 12
- 13
ANTIGUA YACHT CLUB ANNUAL LASER OPEN
The Antigua Yacht Club Laser Open is an annual competition that attract masters of the single-handed dinghy from all around the world.
-
- 25
GOOD FRIDAY
As these are major religious holidays, most people in Antigua will attend church. Another day for relaxation, often at the beach, as well as kite flying gatherings around the island.
-
- 26
FLOWER AND GARDEN SHOW
Put on by the Antigua Barbuda Horticultural Society at the Agave Gardens.
-
- 26
- 27
ANTIGUA & BARBUDA INTERNATIONAL KITE FESTIVAL
A week of fun and colorful events for beginners and experts alike. Events are arranged all around the island on beaches, lawns and even indoors. So grab your gear, pick up a kite and send it soaring!
-
- 27
- 28
EASTER SUNDAY & EASTER MONDAY
As these are major religious holidays, most people in Antigua will attend church. Another day for relaxation, often at the beach, as well as kite flying gatherings around the island.
Close
APRIL
-
- 13
- 19
ANTIGUA CLASSIC YACHT REGATTA
This world renowned regatta is the largest and longest running in the Caribbean.
-
- 23
PEARNS POINT ROUND ANTIGUA RACE
Round Antigua Race, sponsored by Pearns Point, will return again in 2016 with more classes and more exciting racing than ever before!
-
- 24
- 29
ANTIGUA SAILING WEEK
Simply one of the world’s most prestigious sailing regattas, attracting participants from all corners of the globe.
-
- 30
DOCKYARD DAY, NELSON’S DOCKYARD
The perfect island party to end the 2016 Sailing Week festivities. Come out with the family for the children’s procession, the Prize Giving of the Schools Art Competition, the Beating of the Retreat, live music and DJs.
Close
MAY
-
- 2
LABOUR DAY (PUBLIC HOLIDAY)
Each political party in Antigua organizes a huge bash by one of the many beaches on the island. The party includes lots of food, drink, socializing and evening concerts of local and international artists.
-
- 16
WHIT MONDAY (PUBLIC HOLIDAY)
Religious holiday.
-
- 13
- 16
BARBUDA CARIBANA
Barbuda’s Carnival celebrations take place over the long Whit weekend, with five days of pageantry, calypso and Mas (the local name for Carnival celebrations).
-
- 13
ANNUAL MARLIN CLASSIC FISHING TOURNAMENT
Antigua & Barbuda Marlin Classic is a one day marlin only tournament to be enjoyed by sport fishing enthusiasts visiting Antigua. Come on out and show your support!
-
- 14
- 16
ANNUAL ANTIGUA & BARBUDA SPORT FISHING TOURNAMENT
There’ll be adrenaline and excitement in a competitive environment.
Close
JUNE
-
- 1
TIME TO BOOK YOUR SUMMER VACATION AT THE VERANDAH RESORT & SPA!
Close
JULY
-
JULY TBA | MANGO FESTIVAL
The Antigua Mango Festival is held in the Summer, which is the height of the mango season in Antigua. Mango lovers can expect to sample a wide array of dishes, all with one main ingredient – Mango!
-
- 22
JULY 22 – AUGUST 2 | 60TH ANNUAL ANTIGUA CARNIVAL CELEBRATIONS
Caribbean’s greatest summer festival, Antigua’s Carnival, is a celebration of life. Fusing African folklore with Caribbean traditions it is a music and dance-fueled kaleidoscope of fantasy and fun.
-
JULY – OCTOBER | ANTIGUA TURTLE WATCHING SEASON
Journey by boat to a deserted beach for this awesome moon-light Antigua adventure. For the next turtle watching outing, please contact the Environmental Awareness Group of Antigua & Barbuda.
Close
AUGUST
-
- 2
JULY 22 – AUGUST 2 | 60TH ANNUAL ANTIGUA CARNIVAL CELEBRATIONS
Caribbean’s greatest summer festival, Antigua’s Carnival, is a celebration of life. Fusing African folklore with Caribbean traditions it is a music and dance-fueled kaleidoscope of fantasy and fun.
-
JULY – OCTOBER | ANTIGUA TURTLE WATCHING SEASON
Journey by boat to a deserted beach for this awesome moon-light Antigua adventure. For the next turtle watching outing, please contact the Environmental Awareness Group of Antigua & Barbuda.
Close
SEPTEMBER
-
JULY – OCTOBER | ANTIGUA TURTLE WATCHING SEASON
Journey by boat to a deserted beach for this awesome moon-light Antigua adventure. For the next turtle watching outing, please contact the Environmental Awareness Group of Antigua & Barbuda.
-
- 24
FRANCES NUNES JR. MEMORIAL FISHING TOURNAMENT & SEAFOOD FESTIVAL
Come and celebrate, fish and have fun with us for this one day tournament due to take place at Nelson’s Dockyard, English Harbour. Learn More
Close
OCTOBER
-
JULY – OCTOBER | ANTIGUA TURTLE WATCHING SEASON
Journey by boat to a deserted beach for this awesome moon-light Antigua adventure. For the next turtle watching outing, please contact the Environmental Awareness Group of Antigua & Barbuda.
-
- 31
NATIONAL DRESS DAY/ HERITAGE DAY
Citizens dress in the national colors and garb to display their pride, and there is a large parade in downtown St. John’s.
Close
NOVEMBER
-
- 1
35TH ANTIGUA & BARBUDA CELEBRATION OF INDEPENDENCE (PUBLIC HOLIDAY)
Witness the special displays of uniformed platoons during Antigua and Barbuda’s Independence Ceremonial parade at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium.
-
- 18
- 20
JOLLY HARBOUR YACHT CLUB ANNUAL REGATTA
One of the club’s biggest events, it is open to all sailors of all levels.
-
- 28
- 29
MOODS OF PAN FESTIVAL
Two-day pan festival, hosted by Gemonites Steel Orchestra, at the Dean Williams Lake Cultural Center in St. John’s, Antigua.
Close
DECEMBER
-
- 2
- 8
55TH ANNUAL ANTIGUA CHARTER YACHT SHOW
One of the largest Charter Yacht shows in the world, it marks the start of the Caribbean yachting season…
-
- 25
CHRISTMAS DAY (PUBLIC HOLIDAY)
Christmas Day in Antigua is generally a laid-back day with residents choosing to spend the day with family and friends, enjoying a large Christmas dinner.
-
- 26
BOXING DAY (PUBLIC HOLIDAY)
This is a day of rest and relaxation spent with family and friends.
-
- 31
NEW YEAR’S EVE
Ring in the New Year in Antigua with friends and family! You will find lots of parties and New Year’s eve celebrations taking place at clubs and restaurants in English Harbour, St. John’s and the Dickenson Bay area.