Carnival – St. John 2025!

It’s Carnival Time On St. John!

Ahoy! And welcome aboard! Ready for a grand celebration? Nothing says “party” better than carnival in the Virgin Islands, and St. John’s lineup for 2025 is ready to begin. Each of the Virgin Islands have their own carnival celebrations, but on the little island of St. John, the festival occurs in late June and ends on July fourth, which makes it a two-for-one party that celebrates both Emancipation Day, when slavery was abolished in the former Danish West Indies on July 3, 1848, and the birth of the United States on July 4, 1776. 

What once was a single day of fun and festivities has become over the years a weeklong colorful celebration of history, culture and the arts. If you’ve never experienced the local flavor of steel pan music, moko jumbie dancers, feathered costumes, tantalizing Caribbean food, dancing in the streets, and local musicians, you’re in for a treat. Make plans now to be on island from June 30th to July 4th so you can join the party!

What To Expect

Central Village is the epicenter of St. John’s Carnival where everyone gathers and it is located in the Customs Parking Lot (across from the Post Office) , which closes June 10th through the 17th. Instead of cars filling the area, numerous booths offering a variety of foods and crafts are erected, as well as a center stage where local musicians perform, beauty pageant contestants parade, and lively steel pan bands perform. The village grounds also feature family-friendly amusement rides and a few stalls featuring various rum cocktails to fuel the party atmosphere. On July 4th, it’s also where the J’Ouvert dance party erupts with revelers covered in paint and flour. 

Open all day into the early morning hours, The Village itself is a palette of vibrant colors as vendors dress in plaid madras patterns and other traditional clothing.

The Complete Lineup:

Saturday June 21st from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. – Head to the Central Village for The Princess and Queen Pageant where you can meet Queen Contestant #1, NYIMAH JACOBS, and Contestant #2, JAH’MILLIA MALONEY as well as Princess Contestant #1, JAHSLYNN CLENDINEN and Contestant #2, TRINITY WALTERS. According to USVI Festivals on Facebook, these contestants are “a force to be reckoned with.”

Saturday June 28th – 

• The Food Fair, located on the street next to the ferry dock where the taxis typically park, begins at noon and continues until 5 p.m. This is everyone’s chance to taste and judge local dishes, while the chefs compete for the title of “Best Dish.” Traditional entrees and delicacies like pates, fried fish, curried goat meat, tamarind stew, conch, callaloo, and mango tarts typically are part of the menu. For drinks, treat yourself to some passionfruit juice or mauby, a bittersweet, spiced concoction made from the bark and leaves of the Colubrina elliptica tree that’s supposedly a bit of health tonic for issues like arthritis, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.  

• Pan-o-rama starts at 5:30 in The Village. Considered one of the highlights of Carnival, Pan-o-rama is a steel pan competition featuring local talent from around the Virgin Islands and the Caribbean. Don’t expect to stand still as these talented musicians compete for top honors. And, as in years past, it ends when it ends!

• Boat Races will be happening throughout the day in the bay, so sit back, sip on some rum punch and watch to your heart’s content. Throw in some food from The Village and you’ve created a picnic by the water.

Sunday June 29th – 

• Opening of The Village officially begins at 7 p.m., and although the schedule says things close at 1 a.m., festivities are known to linger even longer. Music, food and drinks will be available on site.

Thursday July 3rd – 

• Jou’vert, which means “break of day,” starts at sunrise. So set your alarm and get up early to be part of the dance party! Revel in the freedom that commemorates that first morning of emancipation by painting your body with paint, flour and mud – or just bring your camera and watch the craziness. But don’t hesitate to join in the fun, noisy parade that winds through the streets of Cruz Bay. Then, head to Slim Man’s main parking lot (across from Wharfside Village) at 1 p.m. for the Emancipation Program that lasts until 4 p.m.

Friday July 4th –

• The Parade is slated to begin at 11 a.m., but more often than not, it’s closer to noon. (As the locals say, “Hope for the best!) This is the main event of Carnival that can turn into a day-iong party, so take in the lively colors, the ornate costumes, the rhythmic dance troops, as well as the steel pan bands and variety Caribbean music, including set lists that cover reggae, soca, R&B, and pop hits.

• Fireworks begin at 9 p.m. and are set off from a barge in Cruz Bay. Find a spot near the harbor or on the hillside and make an evening of it with food, drinks and the company of friends. Who doesn’t love a good fireworks show? It’s the perfect summer celebration that blends Caribbean culture, music, art and food. Carnival only happens once a year, so make the most of it!

End Notes: Carnival only happens once a year, so make the most of the festive event. Visit our web site at Stormy Pirates Charters and see how we can make your Carnival vacation even more special with snorkeling adventures, a sunset cruise or a custom trip around the island of St. John. We promise to put the gang plank down and escort you in style.