Carnival Holiday
Monday, February 16, 2026
Saint Kitts and Nevis officially celebrates their annual Carnival on or around New Year’s Day, but the overall festivities actually span more than a month. For around 50 years now, Saint Kitts’ National Carnival events have been filling the streets with happy revellers and providing entertainment to locals and visitors alike. In 2027, Carnival falls on Saturday 2 January. The holiday will be on Sunday 2 January in 2028. In Saint Kitts and Nevis, Carnival is also called “Sugar Mas” because it is the “sweetest time of year”. Celebrations run from mid to late November through early January. Calypso shows open up the season, and then there are lively parties called “fetes” in the ensuing weeks. The “J’Ouvert” begins the street-based celebrations. People wake up early and get out on the streets to celebrate by 4am. On parade day itself, the streets crowd up again as streams of participants donning feathered costumes stroll by the national capital.
History
Saint Kitts and Nevis officially celebrates their annual Carnival on or around New Year’s Day, but the overall festivities actually span more than a month. For around 50 years now, Saint Kitts’ National Carnival events have been filling the streets with happy revellers and providing entertainment to locals and visitors alike. In Saint Kitts and Nevis, Carnival is also called “Sugar Mas” because it is the “sweetest time of year”
How It's Celebrated
Saint Kitts and Nevis officially celebrates their annual Carnival on or around New Year’s Day, but the overall festivities actually span more than a month. For around 50 years now, Saint Kitts’ National Carnival events have been filling the streets with happy revellers and providing entertainment to