Culture, conviviality and feting, are only a few words to describe Anguilla’s Carnival – as encompassed in the annual Anguila Summer Festival Themes.
Anguilla’s Summer Festival is acclaimed to be “the island’s answer to the colourful Caribbean carnival!” From the spectacular sights of extraordinary costumes; massive clusters of people ‘jamming’ and having a good ole time; the exhilarating soca music and thought provoking calypso songs; to the elegance of pageant contestants gracing the stage.
Not forgetting the mouth watering, scrumptious food; the excitement of the national sport, boat racing; not to forget, the renowned ‘August Monday Beach Party’ which is regarded as the Caribbean’s Biggest Beach Party; and many other events and activities involved which make the Anguilla Summer Festival a highly anticipated time for locals and visitors alike.
Recommended for you: Anguilla Summer Festival Checklist
Upcoming Anguilla Summer Festival Events
The Ultimate Fete, Anguilla Carnival Schedule
Undoubtedly, carnival is essentially seen as an opportunity for people to come together to celebrate Anguilla’s culture – a unique blend of an African and maritime heritage – ultimately, giving you a taste of Anguilla in each event with a schedule to cater to such, creating “…a total experience that is all Festivity Wrapped in Blue!”
Quite notably, in 2015, we celebrated 75 years of organized boat racing in Anguilla – marking a significant milestone in Anguilla’s history, being that boat-racing “…is at the heart and soul of every Anguillian and has its roots in our history of trade and survival.”
Carnival in Anguilla is always scheduled around the first Monday in Ausgust, so you can always set your calendar in advance. It usually includes a grand opening and fireworks display at the Landsome Bowl Cultural Center or another location in The Valley.
Past Anguilla Summer Festival Schedules
Theme: “Pageants, Talents, Boatracing supreme; Anguilla Summer Festival 2015”
Saturday, 1st August, 2015 – Bandclash and Bandorama in the Landsome Bowl Cultural Center for all the soca lovers!
Sunday, 2nd August, 2015 – the day’s fun commences at 12 pm at Soak R’ Splash 2015 at Junks Hole and a Warmup Boat Race at Sandy Ground. Subsequently, the Prince & Princess Pageant and Junior Calypso Competition at the Landsome Bowl Cultural Center will be held in the evening.
Monday, 3rd August, 2015 – the highlight of the 10 day experience is on August Monday; the Caribbean’s biggest beach party. It commemorates Emancipation Day and features J’ouvert Morning, boatracing and main stage music performances against the backdrop of one of Anguilla’s busiest beaches, Sandy Ground. The performances include the local bands, Beenie Man, Destra and Farmer Nappy, to just name a few. It definitely will not disappoint.
Tuesday, August 4, 2015 – Island Harbour Boat Race and Miss Talented Teen Pageant.
Wednesday, August 5, 2015 – Sandy Ground Boatrace and Calypso Monarch.
Thursday, August 6, 2015 – Eyes Wide Shut Break Fete, August Thursday Boat Race & Beach Party at Meads Bay and Miss Anguilla Pageant at the Landsome Bowl Cultural Centre.
Friday, August 7, 2015 – be amazed by the beautiful troupes and phenomenal dancing at the Parade of Troupes
Saturday, August 8, 2015 – Ani Road Relay, Mayhem (Machel Montano) and Leeward Islands Calypso Monarch Competition featuring Onyan.
Sunday, August 9, 2015 – Carnival Grand Finale and the “Champions of Champions” boat race scheduled to commemorate the national sport’s Diamond Jubilee.
Theme: “Showcasing our culture through boat racing, feting and spreeing”
July
Friday 22 | Miss Venus Model Caribbean
Saturday 23 | Wet Fete 4
Sunday 24 | Miss Tiny Tott Pageant
Thursday 28 | Opening Night
Friday 29 | FLOW Soca Monarch Sunday
30 | South Valley Street Festival ♦ Soca Band Clash/Bandorama
Sunday 31 | Heineken Cup Boat Race ♦ Prince & Princess Show/Junior Calypso
August
Monday 1 | Jouvert ♦ August Monday Boat Race ♦ Caribbean Beach Party
Tuesday 2 | August Tuesday Boat Race ♦ Miss Scotiabank Talented Teen
Wednesday 3 | August Wednesday Boat Race ♦ Anglec Calypso Monarch Competition
Thursday 4 |Eyes Wide Shut ♦ August Thursday Boat Race ♦ Miss Anguilla Pageant
Friday 5 | Parade of Troupes
Saturday 6 | 20th Annual Leeward Islands Calypso Competition
Sunday 7 | Champion of Champions Boat Race
Theme: “Boatrace, Pageantry and Culture Reign Supreme for Anguilla Summer Festival 2017”
Recommended for you: Anguilla Summer Festival Winners
What are you waiting for? Book your tickets! Bring along your friends – you could be front and center right in the heart of all of the action! Come and experience carnival in Anguilla.