St John's & Dickenson Bay
$$$Mid-rangeNear the parades
- Dickenson Bay beach resorts just north of town
- J'Ouvert, the parades and the Carnival City shows are all in St John's
- Close to the airport
Antigua & Barbuda · St John's
Where to stay for Antigua Carnival 2027
Mon–Tue, Aug 2–3, 2027Starts in 265 days
Carnival Monday and Tuesday every year on the first Monday and Tuesday in August.
Nearly two weeks of shows at Carnival City in St John's, ending with J'Ouvert, Monday Mas, the Tuesday Parade of Bands and Last Lap. Here's where to stay, with live prices for your dates.
Where to stay
Pick your base for Antigua Carnival
Carnival City and the parade routes are all in St John's, so staying in town or at nearby Dickenson Bay keeps journeys short. Jolly Harbour and English Harbour are quieter beach bases, but you'll need taxis, especially at night.
Jolly Harbour
$$$Mid-rangeMarina village on the west coast
- Villas, apartments and a marina
- Beaches and a supermarket close by
- About 20–25 minutes to St John's
English Harbour & Falmouth
$$$PremiumSailing Week HQ
- Nelson's Dockyard, marinas and waterfront bars
- Shirley Heights Sunday party
- About 30–40 minutes to St John's
Showing stays near Carnival City (Antigua Recreation Ground), St John's
Prices are live for your dates and guests. Tap a pin to see the stay on the booking site.
Plan your nights
Antigua Carnival at a glance
Book the full stretch and you won't miss a thing.
SatJul 24
Carnival City opens
The season usually opens 9 to 11 days before Carnival Monday, with T-Shirt Mas as the first street parade.
FriJul 30
Calypso Monarch
The Calypso Monarch final at Carnival City on the Friday, with Watch Night the same evening.
SatJul 31
Panorama
Steel bands compete in the Panorama final at Carnival City on the Saturday.
SunAug 1
Party Monarch
The soca Party Monarch final, usually the best-attended show of the season.
MonAug 2
J'Ouvert & Monday Mas
J'Ouvert leaves Parliament Drive at about 3am and winds through St John's. Monday Mas follows later in the day.
TueAug 3
Parade of Bands & Last Lap
Mas bands parade through St John's into Carnival City. Last Lap, the final jump-up, closes Carnival that evening.
The Festivals Commission publishes the calendar in spring on the Antigua Carnival social pages, and police confirm routes shortly before the season.
Getting there & around
- V. C. Bird International (ANU) is a short taxi ride from St John's and Dickenson Bay.
- Taxis charge fixed fares posted at the airport and taxi stands. Agree the fare before you set off.
- Buses run from the East and West Bus Stations in St John's, but only from about 5.30am to 6pm. Book taxis for night shows and J'Ouvert.
- Police close roads in St John's for J'Ouvert and the parades, so expect diversions and don't park on the routes.
- To hire a car you need a temporary Antiguan driving permit. Traffic drives on the left.
Booking tips
Book refundable, switch later
Lock in a free-cancellation stay now while there's choice, then keep an eye out for something better.
Compare the total price
Festival rates, cleaning fees and minimum stays add up. Compare the total for your nights, not the nightly rate.
Check AC, water and parking
Ask rental hosts about AC in the bedrooms, backup water and secure parking before you book.
Stay near what you'll do most
Roads close and taxis surge on the big days. Being close to the main events saves hours.
Lock in a refundable stay for Antigua Carnival
Airlines add extra flights for Carnival week and the island fills up, so book your room early. Free-cancellation options let you book now and change your mind later.
FAQ
Antigua Carnival: your questions
When is Antigua Carnival 2027?
Carnival Monday and Tuesday are always the first Monday and Tuesday in August, and both are public holidays. The season opens at Carnival City about 9 to 11 days before. The next one is Mon–Tue, Aug 2–3, 2027.
What is the Antigua Carnival schedule?
The pattern is much the same every year. The season opens in late July with T-Shirt Mas, then builds to the final weekend: Calypso Monarch on Friday, Panorama on Saturday and Party Monarch on Sunday. J'Ouvert and Monday Mas are on Carnival Monday, and the Parade of Bands and Last Lap on Tuesday.
What time does J'Ouvert start in Antigua?
At about 3am on Carnival Monday. It leaves the House of Culture on Parliament Drive and winds through St John's. Police publish the route a few days before.
Where are the Antigua Carnival shows held?
At Carnival City, the Antigua Recreation Ground in St John's. The Calypso Monarch, Panorama and Party Monarch finals are all there, and the Tuesday Parade of Bands ends there.
What is carnival in Antigua?
Antigua Carnival is the island's summer festival, first held in 1957. It celebrates emancipation from slavery on 1 August 1834, with calypso, soca and steel pan competitions and masquerade parades through St John's.
Where should I stay for Antigua Carnival?
St John's and Dickenson Bay are closest to Carnival City and the routes. Dickenson Bay is about 10 to 15 minutes from town. Jolly Harbour is about 20 minutes away and English Harbour 35 to 45 minutes, so allow extra time when roads are closed.
How far ahead should I book for Antigua Carnival?
As early as you can. Airlines add Carnival flights and rooms near St John's go first. Book a free-cancellation stay now and keep watching prices.
