The big US Virgin Islands carnival celebrations – the VI Carnival – lasts a month. As well as calypso competitions, traditional games, adults parades and fireworks, and the Queen Selection Show there are also junior events such as a Toddlers Derby, the ‘Best dressed as a Doll’ competition, a junior calypsonians show, and a T-shirt design contest.

Carnivals in the Caribbean are renowned for their vibrant music and colour. As most, but not all, of the Caribbean major festivals are of a religious nature they take place prior to Lent and finish Ash Wednesday. Costumes made for carnivals are spectacular, taking months of work. Work often begins on the following year’s costumes as soon as the current year’s carnival is over, especially in Trinidad & Tobago – the biggest carnival in the Caribbean.

There are a number of special events, not of a carnival nature, which also take place throughout the year. Below is a list of the major and most popular US Virgin Islands carnival and festivals as well as the major special events.

• Water Island Music Festival (January)
• St Thomas International Regatta (March)
• VI Carnival (April)
• Arts Alive Annual Spring Arts & Crafts Festival (May)
• Virgin Islands Game Fishing Club Memorial Day Tournament (May)
• Virgin Islands Game Fishing Club’s Open Billfish Tournament (July)
• US Virgin Islands Lifestyle Festival (July)
• Bastille Day Kingfish Tournament (July)
• Annual Virgin Islands Billfish Tournament for Haiti (August)
• USVI Open/Atlantic Blue Marlin Tournament (August week-long event, 4 fishing days)
• Annual Charter Yacht Show (November)

St Croix carnival, festivals & special events

• Crucian Christmas Carnival (December/January)
• St Croix Jump Up (held four times a year)
• Sunset Jazz in Frederiksted (monthly)
• St Croix Scenic 50-mile Ultra Marathon (January)
• St Croix Food and Wine Experience (April)
• Emancipation Day Celebration (July)
• Mango Melee and Tropical Fruit Festival (July)
• St Croix International Regatta (November)
• Mango Melee and Tropical Fruit Festival (July)

St John carnival, festivals & special events

• Full Moon Hike (every full moon)
• St John Arts Festival (February)
• 8 Tuff Miles Road Race (February)
• St John Festival (June)
• Love City Triathlon, Aquathon & SUP (September)
• Coral Bay Thanksgiving Regatta (November)