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Anguilla’s biggest party returns from 21 July – 11 August 2024. The Anguilla Summer Festival will turn the Caribbean island technicolour with music parades and boat races – topped off with great food to set the taste buds tingling.
The festival, or Carnival, allows visitors to immerse themselves in the culture of the island as locals celebrates their roots through music, food, art, dance and sailing.
The festival’s roots are found in traditional August Monday fairs and bazaars. On 1 August 1838 enslaved Africans in British colonies were freed of chattel slavery. The August Monday celebrations started in 1940 in Anguilla.
Anguilla Summer Festival 2024 Schedule
The 2024 Festival highlights are:
Monday 5 August
The J’Ouvert celebration
This day’s events are a highlight of the Anguilla Summer Festival as the combination of a street jam and beach party equals 24 hours of party time, attracting thousands of revellers to the island. J’ouvert, a street parade which begins in The Valley and ends in Sandy Ground, capitalises on the talents of local musicians and artists who compete for the title of ‘Road March Champion’. Then comes the Caribbean Beach Party and Boat Race, with local and international artists taking to the stage for more than 12 hours of solid partying on Sandy Ground beach.
Tuesday 6 August
Miss Anguilla Pageant
Wednesday 7 August
The Calypso Monarch Competition
Friday 9 August
Grand Parade of Troupes
The Grand Parade of Troupes is all about vibrant, flamboyant, amazing displays of colour and highly detailed costumes as a number of troupes dance and celebrate on the streets of Anguilla’s capital, The Valley. The streets and vibe are electric, and the music can be heard for miles. Anyone is welcome to watch, or even join in the dancing. The troupes are formed from different villages on the island of Anguilla, and a panel of judges rate the troupes to find a winner.
The festival will climax with the exciting Poker Run and the Champ of Champs boat race, showcasing Anguilla’s national sport and its tradition, talents and skill.
Anguilla Poker Run
This day will see the most anticipated nautical event of the summer, the Anguilla Poker Run, one of the newest Caribbean boat parties, with sizzling food, pumping music and high adrenaline. Hundreds of people will hit the high seas, beach-hopping to different events. Not only is this event a thrilling game on the sea, it’s also a chance to show off stylish swimwear, making a statement on and off the water.
Champ Of Champs Boat Race (Class A & B)
The very last day of Carnival is when the Champion of Champions boat race is held. The winner from each race during carnival week will compete in the final boat race of the year, to find out who will become the official Champion of Champions! Sandy Ground is packed with avid boat lovers and it is a fabulous closing to the Anguilla Summer Festival!
More Information on Anguilla Summer Festival
Stay in tune at : www.instagram.com/axasumfest
About Anguilla
Anguilla boasts 33 pristine white sand beaches, tempting turquoise waters and excellent restaurants. Relax, chill and do as little – or as much – as you like.
Flights to Anguilla
British Airways and Virgin Atlantic fly to Antigua from the UK, from there it is a short flight transfer to Anguilla. Alternatively fly KLM/Air France via Amsterdam/Paris to St Maarten (SXM), and then it’s a short boat / flight hop. American Airlinesflies from Miami International Airport (MIA) to Anguilla.
Need more persuading? Read Arianna Stephen’s Anguilla Holidays for Needed Winter Sun.
Holidays in Anguilla
For more tourist information, visit the official website: www.ivisitanguilla.com.
