St Vincent and the Grenadines / Special Interests / Carnivals & Festivals

St Vincent and its smaller sister islands rock to the beat of Carnival and while the main event happens on St Vincent, Union Island has its own celebration over Easter while Mustique holds a Maroon Festival. Then there are dedicated musical events along with others marking dancing, theatre arts and even breadfruit.

Carnival - Carnival, known as Vincy Mas, is the biggest musical event of the year on the island of St Vincent and is similar to those held on the other English-speaking islands with street parades, calypso and steel band competitions, King and Queen of the Band competitions, beauty pageants, and a Junior Carnival. It originally took place in the days leading up to Lent, but was moved to the summer in the 1970s and now bursts into life in June and July. Carnival season usually lasts for around 10 days, starting in the last week of June and continuing into the first or second week of July. The climax is the last four days – Carnival Weekend – when there are parades, parties and contests, concluding in a large colourful parade in which trucks cart giant sound systems through Kingstown towards Victoria Park where festivities reach their peak. The smaller Grenadines also have their own carnivals, with costumed street parades and beach parties. There is an event on Bequia in mid-June and Union Island’s Easterval is held over the Easter weekend.

Mustique Blues Festival - Held in late January/early February at the island’s famous Basil’s Bar, it has has gained strong support since its birth in 1995. It features talented musicians in a friendly and intimate venue where past guests have included Mick Jagger, Papa George and the ever-present founder of the event Dana Gillespie. The success of the Mustique festival has created a spin-off over in Bequia where the artists travel over for one night during a long weekend of music.

Bequia Mount Gay Music Fest - An annual event held in January and featuring Dana Gillespie & The London Blues Band and other guest artistes from the Mustique Blues Festival event for one night.

Easterval - This is Union Island’s annual Easter festival, held over the Easter Weekend, with cultural and sporting events, a beauty pageant and carnival activities.

Maroon Festival - Held on Union Island in May, this annual cultural festival marks the start of the planting season with the Big Drum Dancing, Nation Dance and traditional folk songs. Usually held 3 days prior to or after the full moon.

Nine Mornings Festival - St Vincent’s unique annual Christmas festival which takes place from mid-December, starting with a community lighting programme. Activities commence each morning at 4am and include street concerts, sea baths (early morning swimming), street dancing, bicycle (decorated) riding, story-telling and carol singing. There are street stalls with local food and drinks and evening events include a National Carolling Contest.