Carnival Day Holiday
Thursday, April 30, 2026
Every 30 April is Carnival in the small Caribbean state of Sint Maarten. The French northern half of the shared island has its Carnival earlier, but the bigger celebration is on Dutch Sint Maarten in the southern half. In 2027, Carnival falls on Friday 30 April. The holiday will be on Sunday 30 April in 2028. The celebration continues for 17 consecutive days. Competitions for Calypso King or Calypso Queen get intense, drawing many musicians from nearby islands into the fray. Carnival Village is erected just for the occasion, and many prepare their costumes months in advance. Carnival is a “big deal” here! And don’t forget the food. The cultural mix here results in a culinary mix too so that food stalls offer everything from johnnycakes to Indian curry dishes.
History
Every 30 April is Carnival in the small Caribbean state of Sint Maarten. The French northern half of the shared island has its Carnival earlier, but the bigger celebration is on Dutch Sint Maarten in the southern half. Competitions for Calypso King or Calypso Queen get intense, drawing many musicians from nearby islands into the fray. Carnival Village is erected just for the occasion, and many prepare their costumes months in advance This day is observed annually in honor of Carnival Day Holiday
How It's Celebrated
The French northern half of the shared island has its Carnival earlier, but the bigger celebration is on Dutch Sint Maarten in the southern half. The holiday will be on Sunday 30 April in 2028. The celebration continues for 17 consecutive days. Competitions for Calypso King or Calypso Queen get inte